Ever felt like you can’t make any more decisions in a day? For me it usually comes at dinner time, when I ask my husband or my kids what they want for dinner and I get ‘you decide’ or ‘what do you want?’ The only thing I want is not to have to make the decision!
Some sources say that we make 35 000 decisions per day as an adult, if you’re a business owner or manager, you’re making more than most – so decision fatigue is real!
What is it? Decision fatigue refers to the mental exhaustion that occurs as a result of making numerous decisions over a period of time.
As a business owner or leader, you are often faced with a multitude of choices throughout the day, ranging from small operational decisions to larger strategic ones. The cumulative effect of decision-making can lead to reduced mental energy and impaired decision-making abilities.
When we have so many decisions to make and we start to feel overwhelmed, we have decision fatigue which can compromise the quality of your decisions. As your mental energy dwindles, you may experience decision-making biases, such as impulsivity, indecisiveness, or a tendency to stick with the status quo. This can hinder your ability to make well-informed and rational choices, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes.
So what are the signs of decision fatigue? Difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, procrastination, or a desire to avoid decision-making altogether.
What can you do when you feel yourself in this spiral?
And just remember, making one decision moves you forward, and it only has to be the right decision for now, you can make another decision later.
