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We live in a time when every decision must be tailored to your goals.
Building tech of the future is a critical thinking work, involving different roles (developers, UI designers, and product managers) that face a constant barrage of choices every day. However, an overload of decisions can lead to decision fatigue, affecting judgment, increasing errors, and slowing down productivity.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what decision fatigue, practical strategies to mitigate its effects and renew productivity.
What is Decision Fatigue?
Decision fatigue illustrates how the quality of our decision-making declines as we make additional choices, as our cognitive abilities become strained; that is, after making many decisions, our ability to make more decisions over the course of a workday worsens.
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- Reduced decision quality — People make riskier, irrational, or overly conservative choices.
- Procrastination — When overwhelmed, individuals often delay or avoid making decisions.
- Mental exhaustion — Continuous decision-making drains energy, reducing problem-solving capabilities.
- Inconsistency — Decisions made in the morning may be more thoughtful, while those made later in the day tend to be rushed or suboptimal.
How To Prevent Decision Fatigue Today
Everyone experiences decision fatigue from time to time; it is impossible to control the situation that causes strain and delay . We have 4 tips to make fatigue less likely and more manageable.
- Limit Daily Choices With Automation
Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Peter Obi have talked about their rationale behind wearing practically the same thing every day; it saves time and automates their daily choice on miscellaneous things, have a scale of preference or priority list in mind.
- Delegate Decision to Others
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Some decisions are yours to make, but delegating some decisions saves time and energy for crucial decisions. It is ok to let people handle some tasks. Delegate and work on receiving feedback when in a team.
- Manage Stress With Activities Today
Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or yoga, to release endorphins and improve mood. Making stress-management activities part of your daily routine can help you feel like meditation, exercise, and journaling. Practice mindfulness meditation to focus on the present moment, which can help reduce anxiety, feel less overwhelmed, and be more confident in the face of difficult decisions.
- Always Prioritize Sleep
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What do people say when faced with tough choices? “I will sleep on it”. Studies show that we take more time to deliberate and make better decisions early in the day. It also notes that sleep-deprived people have poor impulse control, and taking a nap can just be what you need to gain the momentum.
Conclusion
It’s impossible to eliminate decisions from your life. But you can help to make them easier. By automating your small choices and using a detailed decision system to assist with large ones, you can free up your cognitive energy to increase your productivity and focus on all other areas of your life.