6 Simple Strategies on How to Overcome Decision Fatigue

What is Decision Fatigue, Anyway?

Decision fatigue is the mental exhaustion that occurs when you make too many choices in a short period. Our brains have a limited capacity for decision-making each day, so as you continue making decisions—big or small—your mental clarity and ability to make sound choices diminish. This can lead to poor decisions, procrastination, or avoiding decisions altogether. Entrepreneurs and busy professionals are particularly prone to decision fatigue due to their high volume of daily choices, which is why strategies to streamline decision-making are so beneficial.

As entrepreneurs, we make countless decisions daily, and it's easy to hit a point of decision fatigue—the mental exhaustion that makes it hard to think clearly or make choices.

Here’s how you can streamline your decision-making process to keep your energy for what matters and finally overcome decision fatigue.

1. Limit Your Daily Decisions

Reduce decision overload by creating routines. From morning routines to meal planning, try simplifying areas where choices aren’t essential. Think of Steve Jobs, who famously wore a black turtleneck every day. Having a “uniform” for simple choices lets you save mental energy for big decisions.

2. Make Important Decisions Early

Get critical decisions out of the way when your mind is at its sharpest, ideally in the morning. As the day progresses, our brains tire from processing information, so prioritizing essential choices early on can lead to clearer, more confident decisions. I recommend doing the Eat the Frog approach which is to get all your most disliked or "heavy" tasks done first so you can free up your mind to do the things you want.

3. Prioritize and Delegate to Overcome Decision Fatigue

Identify which decisions only you can make and let others handle the rest. Delegation not only reduces mental fatigue but also builds trust within your team. Consider whether a choice truly requires your attention, or if it can be handled just as effectively by someone else. Using the 80/20 rule, 20% of what you do contributes to 80% of your results. That means that the other 80% of you do should be delegated when possible. This will free up your time to do more of what give you the best ROI.

4. Automate and Pre-Plan Where Possible

Automation is a powerful tool to reduce decision fatigue. Set up systems to manage repetitive tasks, from automating bills to planning meals for the week. By pre-planning recurring tasks, you eliminate the need to think about them every day. One way I automate is through my emails. The are set on triggers to perform specific actions for my customers so I don't have to. As far as pre-planning, I use my Triple S Framework everyday to plan out my tasks so I know exactly what I want to accomplish.

5. Limit Information and Narrow Your Choices

I employ a tactic of information dumping. During the day, as I stumble upon valuable content, rather than watching it at the very moment, save the link or resource in Google Keep and I come back to it at the right time. Another tactic is to focus on quality over quantity. For instance, when doing research on a subject, set a timer for research, gather all information you can find. Once the timer goes off, narrow your research down to 1-3 action items or strategies instead of attempting 5-10.

6. Take Breaks to Recharge

Sometimes, the best way to handle decision fatigue is to take a step back. Short breaks, deep breaths, or a quick walk can give your brain the pause it needs to reset, helping you return with a fresh perspective.

Reducing decision fatigue takes some practice, but by simplifying choices and setting systems, you’ll conserve energy for the high-impact decisions that drive your business forward. Give these tips a try and experience how much clearer and more energized your decision-making can become.