How To Combat Decision Fatigue
As a business owner, a major chunk of the job is to make decisions. Day after day, and sometimes minute by minute, you are confronted with choices. From client requests to contractor woes, you’re handling the ins and outs of your business.
Some days require more brainpower than others, but when you’re day is stacked with decision-making, it’s no wonder we come home exhausted and stretched to our limit. How many days have you finished up work only to find yourself numb to even the simplest choices, like what’s for dinner or what to watch on Netflix? It’s called decision fatigue, and it’s something we all struggle with.
So how do you combat decision fatigue? We all have to be accountable to our teams, we have to make these important choices throughout the day and answer questions. It’s how the job gets done, right? Studies show that the brain can handle tremendous amounts of energy. But we’re only human! At a certain point, that consumption and output check our brains into self-preservation mode, and that’s when the exhaustion kicks in.
The brain can only take so much, meaning that if you’ve been making decisions all day long, a complex problem at the end of your workday won’t get the rationale or attention it may require. We just don’t have the bandwidth. It’s why it’s easy to reach for junk food or make fatigue-centric choices at the end of the day.
We’ve found two concepts that seem to combat this decision fatigue and help us maintain a steady rate of productivity without that mental exhaustion at the end of the day. It takes work and a bit of experimenting, but with intention, these steps can really help!
The first suggestion is to plan ahead! It seems simple enough, but we’ve found that daily journaling really centers our day and helps eliminate unnecessary projects or choices. Before you head to bed, take time to map out the following day’s priorities. Not only will this keep you focused, but it will also alleviate any restless sleep from the lack of planning.
Try focusing on only three main projects a day so you can skip the info overload. Keeping tabs on your wins throughout the day also helps! It keeps you motivated and feels great to check things off your list and off your mind.
The second suggestion is to ask yourself daily questions. It may feel silly at first, but personal inner check-ins are key to monitoring your energy levels and brain bandwidth. Consider making a checklist and hanging it in a prominent place around your office. Questions like,
“Have I drank enough water today?”
“Is today’s nutrition helping or hurting my mental capacity and function?”
“Is it time for a walk or some form of movement?”
“Where can I delegate today?”
Just taking time to actively check in with yourself will keep you on track and ensure you slow down, stay present, and give your brain a break. These questions are also worth sending along to your team! Create a culture of protected productivity, understanding that by taking care of mental energy, you’re also making room for optimal workflow and creativity.
As entrepreneurs, we’re faced with so many little choices throughout the day. Taking care of ourselves and understanding our mental limitations is so important. Take some time this week to evaluate your current decision fatigue. Check-in with yourself and your team, then make the needed adjustments to inspire a healthy work environment. You’ve got this!