Decision Fatigue: What It Is and How to Combat It

Every day, we make thousands of decisions. From the moment we wake up—deciding what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, which route to take to work—to the end of the day when we’re choosing what to watch on TV or which book to read before bed. While many of these decisions seem trivial, the cumulative effect can be significant. This phenomenon is known as decision fatigue, and it affects everyone, regardless of their decision-making abilities.

Understanding Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made after a long session of decision making. It’s a psychological principle that explains why making decisions becomes harder as the day progresses. The more choices you make, the more difficult each subsequent decision becomes.

The Science Behind It

According to research by social psychologist Roy F. Baumeister, willpower is a finite resource that becomes depleted with use. When you make decisions, you’re drawing from the same well of mental energy that you use for other forms of self-control and focused thinking.

Studies have shown that:

  • Judges are more likely to grant parole early in the day or after a food break when their mental energy is refreshed
  • Consumers make poorer purchasing decisions after making a series of choices
  • People are more likely to give in to temptations after exercising self-control in unrelated tasks

This depletion of mental resources leads to one of two outcomes: making impulsive decisions or avoiding decisions altogether.

Signs You’re Experiencing Decision Fatigue

How do you know if decision fatigue is affecting you? Look for these common signs:

  1. Procrastination: Putting off decisions because they feel overwhelming
  2. Impulsivity: Making snap decisions without proper consideration
  3. Avoidance: Letting others decide for you to avoid the mental strain
  4. Decision paralysis: Being unable to choose between options
  5. Diminished willpower: Giving in to temptations more easily
  6. Mental exhaustion: Feeling drained after making a series of choices

Strategies to Combat Decision Fatigue

The good news is that there are effective ways to reduce decision fatigue and improve your decision-making capacity:

1. Reduce Your Daily Decisions

One of the most effective strategies is to simply make fewer decisions. Many successful people, like Steve Jobs with his iconic black turtleneck or Mark Zuckerberg with his gray t-shirts, adopt a personal uniform to eliminate clothing decisions.

Other ways to reduce decisions include:

  • Planning meals in advance
  • Creating routines for recurring tasks
  • Setting default options for common choices
  • Using a decision wheel for appropriate choices

2. Make Important Decisions Early

Since your decision-making ability is at its peak earlier in the day, schedule important decisions for the morning when possible. Save less consequential decisions for later in the day when decision fatigue may be setting in.

3. Simplify Complex Decisions

Break down complex decisions into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach makes the decision-making process less overwhelming and reduces the mental load.

4. Use Decision-Making Tools

Tools like our Decision Wheel, pros and cons lists, or decision matrices can offload some of the mental work involved in making choices. These tools provide structure to the decision-making process and can help you make more objective decisions.

5. Limit Your Options

While having choices is generally good, too many options can be paralyzing. When possible, limit your options to a manageable number. Research suggests that 3-5 options is often the sweet spot for effective decision making.

6. Practice Good Self-Care

Since decision-making draws on your mental energy, maintaining your overall well-being is crucial:

  • Get adequate sleep
  • Eat regular, nutritious meals
  • Exercise regularly
  • Take breaks throughout the day
  • Practice mindfulness or meditation

How a Decision Wheel Can Help

A decision wheel is particularly effective for combating decision fatigue because it:

  1. Eliminates the need to choose: For decisions where all options are relatively equal, letting the wheel decide removes the burden entirely
  2. Makes decision-making fun: Adding an element of randomness and anticipation can transform a potentially stressful process into an enjoyable one
  3. Speeds up the process: Instead of deliberating for extended periods, you can get an instant answer
  4. Removes emotional bias: The wheel doesn’t favor any option, providing a truly random selection

When to Use a Decision Wheel

While not appropriate for all decisions, a decision wheel is perfect for:

  • Choosing between restaurants for dinner
  • Selecting which movie to watch
  • Deciding which task to tackle first when all are equally important
  • Picking a weekend activity from several appealing options
  • Assigning tasks or chores fairly among family members or teammates

Conclusion

Decision fatigue is a real psychological phenomenon that affects our ability to make good choices throughout the day. By understanding how it works and implementing strategies to combat it—including using tools like our Decision Wheel, you can preserve your mental energy and make better decisions when it matters most.

Remember, the goal isn’t to avoid decisions altogether but to be strategic about how and when you make them. By reducing the mental load of trivial choices, you’ll have more energy for the decisions that truly impact your life and happiness.

Ready to try it out? Use our Decision Wheel, and experience how it can help reduce your decision fatigue today!