Did you know there is such a thing as “decision fatigue?” It’s a drain on our energy that comes from making too many decisions. It saps our energy and makes it harder and harder to make good choices.
The number of decisions we make each day is staggering. Here is just a small sample of the many choices we face daily that contribute to decision fatigue:
Early Morning:
- Should I get up now or hit snooze?
- What do I want to wear today?
- What will I eat for breakfast?
- Should I pack a lunch or eat out?
- Do I have time to stop by Starbuck’s? Do I have enough money for that?
- Am I going to follow that new diet today or should I wait another day?
- Given the time and traffic, what’s the best route to work?
Once at work:
- Should I check my email first?
- Which project should I work on now?
- Is it a good time to return that phone call?
- Can I check in on Facebook really quick?
- Where should I file this stuff?
- Is it too early to get a snack?
- Where do we want to go for lunch?
- Do I pick the healthier food option or get what I really want?
Fast Forward to after work:
- Should I pick up the dry cleaning on the way home?
- What’s for dinner? Do I need to stop by the store?
- Should I just get some carry-out instead?
- Do I want to do the dishes right after dinner or just save them for later?
- Do I want to read that self-improvement book or maybe watch TV instead?
- How about just a few games on my phone?
- Just one more show before going to bed?
There are many more facets of life that require decisions: relationships, Career, church, volunteering, community, finances, health, and a whole lot more. For example, having kids adds a whole new layer of decision-making:
- Should I tell him to pack up his stuff and get going?
- Should I bring in that assignment he forgot or let him experience the consequences?
- Should I intervene in the kids’ conflict or let them hash it out?
- Should I really let her wear that to school?
- Can she go to that party on Saturday?
- Is it OK for them to be hanging out with those kids?
- Should I tell her what I think about how her boyfriend treats her?
- Do I want to buy pictures? If so, what package?
- Do I want to heed his request and stop at the yogurt shop?
Decision fatigue is an insidious thing. So many decisions look necessary in the moment. I think, though, that we can avoid having to expend so much energy in the moment.
We can avoid at least some of the energy drain of decision fatigue by making plans in advance. For example, planning the week’s meals in advance can cut the number of decisions we need to make dramatically.
In addition to making plans in advance, we can reduce our decision fatigue by forming habits that serve us well. How we exercise, what we do with our spare time and connecting meaningfully with other people are good habits we can choose to establish. Whether we hit snooze when the alarm goes off, check in on social media at work or watch TV before bed are all habits we can choose not to have) based on decisions we can make in advance.
I think of these habits as “policies.” For example, I have a policy of taking my guide dog out to relieve herself at 6:15 in the morning. This policy keeps me from having to decide if I will stay in bed extra. Similarly, we have had the “ten minute rule” since the kids were little: they can’t ask me to make any decisions for 10 minutes after we get home. It gives me a chance to take care of myself first so I can make some decent decisions in a little while.
I challenge you to examine where you can make some plans in advance and to establish some new habits or policies for yourself that can help cut back on your decision fatigue. You can apply the energy you conserve toward discovering your purpose and making a difference in the lives of other people instead.
