Why do you make WORSE DECISIONS as the day goes on?

You wanted to do a workout.

You wanted to make a salad for supper.

You wanted to get to bed at 9.

But…

None of it happened.

Why?

Why is it, that even though the day started out great – good breakfast, salad at lunch, healthy snack… – it frequently ends on a sour note?

I know this happens to me, and it happens to you, too.

And it’s a real problem.

Really.

It’s called DECISION FATIGUE.

DECISION FATIGUE happens as your mental energy for making decisions declines with each decision you make during your day.

So, in essence, the more decisions you have to make, the more your mental energy is depleted.

And therefore the more the QUALITY OF YOUR DECISIONS declines, too.

Common issues that I see that may fall under DECISION FATIGUE are:

• Night-time snacking
• Not exercising
• Not sleeping enough
• Drinking more than desired
• Stress (yes… much of stress can be attributed to having lots of decisions, or avoiding decisions)

So, what can you do about it?

Well, the first step is to understand is how to recognize DECISION FATIGUE.

First is that, as your mental energy is depleted with each decision, you’ll notice your mind becomes kind of LAZY, and you’re reluctant to properly weigh your choices.

So, you make decisions without considering what’s really important.

And instead, you allow your automatic sub-conscious mind, or your toddler mind, to make those decisions.

Yikes.

Decisions made from that mind probably won’t be in line with the human you’re trying to be.

And the other thing is, you’ll be much more inclined to say “yes” to requests made of you.

Meaning, you’ll be more likely to give in to whatever your boss, your children, your partner, or everyone else wants, even if its not what you want.

Second, is that you become much more likely to AVOID making decisions altogether.

Avoiding can look like procrastinating, or choosing to do easy, comfortable things (eating, cleaning, Netflix, making tea,…) instead of actually making a decision.

You may fool yourself into thinking that you’re “thinking about it” but really, you’re just putting it off.

And that’s just depleting your energy even more.

The longer you carry a decision around with you, the more energy you’re using up.

So, how can you avoid DECISION FATIGUE and save your energy for the important things?

1. Make important decisions first thing in the morning

If you can, make all your big, important decisions early in the day.

First thing in the morning if possible.

That’s when your energy is highest, and you therefore have an increased chance of making good choices.

And this also applies to any important work that you do.

Whether it’s writing a proposal, reading important documents, preparing for a job interview, or learning a new skill.

Do it early, and you’ll do it better.

2. Simplify your daily decisions

Every day we’re making a lot of the same decisions.

Like, for example, what to wear.

It sounds small, but many of us spend a lot of energy first thing in the morning on this decision.

And it could be eliminated.

For example, did you know that Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg (as well as the late Steve Jobs,) wear pretty much the same thing every day?

I know they’re not women (I hear you!), BUT they’re onto something.

They recognize that deciding what to wear in the morning is a waste of energy.

It actually uses up decision-making energy that you could use on far more important stuff.

Personally, I have a pretty limited wardrobe.

Just a few pairs of pants, a few sweaters/blouses, and a shamefully small shoe collection.

However, because my choices are limited, and I actually like the few items I have (that’s key), I spend very little energy deciding what to wear.

Compared to several years ago, when I had a bigger wardrobe, and spent way too much time figuring this out.

Can you see that having fewer less choices could be a valuable thing?

3. Decide ahead of time

So, I like this one, especially when thinking of meals.

I plan my meals three to four days ahead, and I have only a few key recipes that I choose from.

(See what I did? I’m actually combining points 2 and 3 here. Yes!)

I didn’t used to do that.

What I used to do, years ago, was spend afternoons at work trying to figure out in my mind what to eat for supper.

And then I’d need to stop at the grocery store several times a week to pick up what I needed for ONE meal.

OR, I’d give in to my tired mind, and just order out.

So now, I decide ahead of time and I go to the grocery store twice a week.

And I rarely order out.

It’s been a game changer.

And it can also work in these contexts:

• Laying out your workout clothes and/or work clothes the night before
• Know what workout you’ll do, or what route you’ll walk
• Deciding on what you’ll order at the restaurant before you go
• Keeping 3 to 5 different healthy snacks stocked and ready to go in your fridge
• Making a lunch for work the night before (leftovers and a couple of those healthy snacks would be great!)
• …

4. Make commitments instead of decisions

This is the best one.

When you make a COMMITMENT, there’s no decision to make.

Problem solved!

No need to wonder what to do.

When you commit to something ahead of time, it’s done.

It’s no longer an option.

So, commit to walking outside Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings before work.

Or throwing away the Halloween candy.

Or meditating every evening.

Or getting to work for 8am.

Or hitting that Friday, 3pm deadline for your project.

Notice that commitment contains not only the decision to do something, but also the time, place, and how often.

It’s amazing how commitment, although it sometimes seems scary, eliminates the need for decision.

And how commitment easily alleviates the stress of indecision.

Indecision is heavy, and just sits on top of you, making everything seem harder.

Commitment, once it’s made, is light, and as my coach says, it puts you in “done energy.”

Getting stuff done, ticking things off the list, always feels good.

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Are you suffering from DECISION FATIGUE?

I’d love to know, just leave me a comment below.

In coaching, I work to eliminate, or at least minimize, DECISION FATIGUE for my clients.

I help them make things simpler, so decisions are easier.

And I help them plan, so they’re deciding ahead of time.

And mostly, I help them to commit.

To do what they said they would do.

Because that’s why they hire me.

To get stuff done.

And there’s nothing more energizing than that.

Keep moving forward my friend,

Debbie

P.S. Are you making BAD DECISIONS at the end of the day? And not doing the things you REALLY want to do? Then let’s talk. It’s free – and one call might solve it all: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

P.P.S. Did you listen to the audio recording of this post? How did you like it? I’d love to get some feedback, so I can continue to provide you valuable content, in the most effective way possible. Thanks!