Our previous post discussed what decision fatigue is and how to recognise it in yourself and those around you. We will now explore ways to manage or mitigate decision fatigue.
Strategies to mitigate decision fatigue:
Streamline decisions.
The idea that every decision is to be made efficiently in the present is often not practical and sustainable, considering all the decisions (micro and macro) we’re making daily. So, creating systems that enhance efficiency and expedite decision making, can help manage our energy exertion.
Examples are:
Meal prepping. By making multiple decisions in advance through deciding on the meals, buying the groceries and prepping the food, you remove the need for food decisions throughout the week or for the days you’ve prepared for.
Creating response templates/automatic responses for work communications. This can help manage the urgency to respond and allow you some time to make any decisions linked to the communication.
Plan and block off your TO DO’S.
This may range from attending a gym class, having a catch up call with a sibling, calling a service provider or taking leave days. Be intentional about setting aside time and blocking the time off on your calendar (colour code the tasks if need be) As a result, these tasks can move from a decision to be made (e.g. when in my day can I find time to call my service provider to make a query?) to a plan that you aim to carry out. Although not always possible and sometimes requiring adjustment, this strategy can be helpful.
Try make decisions at the most productive time of the day.
For me this is first thing in the morning. When are you at your optimal level of functioning? Try to carve out a portion of that time to make the decisions that can be made then.
Delegate.
We’ve heard it, some of us really struggle with it. There are some tasks that need your eye or direct input and then there are other tasks that can and should be delegated. I’m technologically challenged, and I have no real interest in improving my literacy and it shows. I had been struggling for weeks with a specific challenge with my website, with complicated prompts driving me to YouTube and then driving me to rage. One afternoon, out of sheer frustration and desperation I asked my brother to help me. Within an afternoon the thing I had been struggling with on and off for weeks was done. The energy exertion and decision making around this challenge caused me so much unnecessary distress and fatigue and could have been avoided.
Figure out what NEEDS you, and then ask for help and delegate.
Coming to the end of the year where decision fatigue is high for so many people and we are holding our breath for the slower days and different demands of December, we can already start to practice some of these strategies. The holidays are not without their decisions and stress and as it always does, January will roll back around with all we burden it with.
Start now.
Soft Landings 