It’s 4 p.m. You have an end-of-the-day deadline, five new items on your to-do list, and urgent emails to attend to; you can’t seem to make yourself focus. Gosh, you think, I need a quick energy fix. You were planning on an afternoon workout session, but that means getting into gym clothes and deciding what kind of exercise to do, and wouldn’t it just be easier to get a coffee and a brownie from Starbucks instead?
You’ve just experienced decision fatigue. If this example hits home, then you know why decision fatigue has become a hot topic in the business world, impacting everything from hiring to project management to bad food choices.
Read on for how you can recognize decision fatigue and improve your decision-making skills.
What Is Decision Fatigue?
So, what is decision fatigue, and what impact does it have in and out of the workplace? In essence, decision fatigue is mental exhaustion resulting from the sheer number of decisions a person must make daily, leading to difficulty making—or making good—decisions. That may make sense if your decisions center on company strategy (what’s the best marketing plan for the new product?) or life-changing opportunities (should I take that new job?). The human brain, however, can get caught up in the same decision-making process around what to eat for lunch or wear to work.
These mundane decisions combined with more important and pressing issues cause stress and emotional exhaustion, leading to poor choices. That’s right—decision fatigue doesn’t just stop you from making decisions. It can cause you to make bad decisions. Let’s look at some of the results of decision fatigue.
You Make Impulse Purchases
You may have promised yourself that you’ll make healthy food choices, but you’ve been so busy that you haven’t prepared lunch or thought about where you want to eat that day. That’s how you end up buying a candy bar or fast food.
You Procrastinate
Your manager has asked you to come up with a schedule for a project, and you need to make several decisions about whom to include, what steps are required, and what the end goal is. You find it impossible to get started on the project because there are too many decision points.
You “Just Say No”
Sometimes it’s just easier to say no rather than to weigh the choices and make an appropriate decision. This can lead to lost opportunities. That automatic no is as bad as an impulsive yes.
You Get Overwhelmed
The emotional impact of decision fatigue can cause stress throughout a person’s life, not just at work. Too much ambiguity and too many choices, plus the additional pressure to make the right choice, can make it hard to make any decision at all, even about an activity that’s pleasurable—choosing a movie, for example, or a game to play for family game night.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources to help you identify decision fatigue and tips to prevent it.
- Develop Good Habits, “What Is Decision Fatigue? (And 9 Ways to Prevent It).” This article offers surprising tips for short-circuiting the decision fatigue
- The Decision Lab, “Why Do We Make Worse Decisions at the End of the Day?” This article talks about decision paralysis and why too many choices are too much.
What Are the Symptoms of Decision Fatigue?
You might be asking, What are the symptoms of decision fatigue? You’ve probably experienced them even without knowing that’s what was causing them. Some of these symptoms include:
- Lack of willpower. The candy bar instance in the previous section is a prime example of decision fatigue causing a lack of willpower.
- When it becomes hard to make a decision, it may seem like all decisions are hard. This gives minor decisions the same weight as important ones, causing stress and anxiety.
- Often driven by fears of making the wrong choice, procrastination can have a serious impact on work performance.
- Decision paralysis. We like to think having choices is a positive in a situation. However, decision paralysis results from having to evaluate too many options, weigh all the pros and cons, and try to identify risks. Now imagine doing that for everything.
- Brain fog. Stress from the COVID-19 pandemic caused people to lose mental and emotional clarity. They were forced to make unfamiliar decisions at every level, from navigating an unfamiliar grocery app to videoconferencing with colleagues, compounding the usual effects of decision fatigue.
Additional Resources
Brain fog, decision paralysis, and other symptoms of decision fatigue can impact every part of a person’s day. Learn more from these resources.
- Self, “If You Can’t Get Anything Done Right Now, Brain Fog Might Be to Blame.” This source dives deeper into brain fog and how it can be managed.
- Ladders, “5 Signs You’re Experiencing ‘Decision Paralysis’ (and How to Break Out of It).” Here are tips for breaking out of decision paralysis, one of the worst symptoms of decision fatigue.
- Healthline, “Understanding Decision Fatigue“. Learn how decision fatigue impacts every part of a person’s day, resulting in less-than-optimal choices.
- USA Today, “You’re Facing a Lot of Choices amid the Pandemic. Cut Yourself Slack: It’s Called Decision Fatigue.” Explore the pandemic’s impact on decision fatigue.
Why We Succumb to Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue impacts everyone. A number of factors can lead to decision fatigue, including the following:
- Hunger. Remember the adage, don’t go grocery shopping when hungry? Hunger is a big factor in decision fatigue, often leading to impulsive decisions.
- Exhaustion. If you’re short on sleep, you may find it difficult to think clearly.
- Stress. Some decisions are more important than others. If you’re in a position to make a lot of complex and stressful decisions throughout your day, the accumulation of stress can put you at higher risk of decision fatigue.
- Overall number of decisions. We make dozens if not hundreds of decisions, large and small, starting right at the beginning of our day. If you have had a particularly stressful week or a few restless nights, you may be at higher risk of decision fatigue even in the morning.
- Time of day. Most people are prone to decision fatigue when they hit the end of their workday. They will need to recharge their decision-making skills to be able to continue to work productively.
Decision Fatigue in the Workplace
Decision fatigue can have negative consequences in the workplace. Smart professionals try to find ways to identify the signs and take steps to avoid decision overload or minimize its impact. One of the first steps to mitigating the effects of decision fatigue is to identify it.
The following are examples of how decision fatigue can impact working professionals.
Decision Fatigue and Parole Decisions
One of the most famous examples of decision fatigue was illustrated by researchers who discovered that Israeli prisoners were much less likely to be granted parole if they went before judges in the afternoon than in the morning. The judges’ decision fatigue negatively impacted their impartiality.
Decision Fatigue and Emergency Care Workers
Healthcare workers such as emergency responders must make life-or-death decisions as a part of their jobs. Unsafe working conditions, such as accident sites, can cause confusion and add to difficulties in making decisions. Overwork, exhaustion, and high levels of stress can cause emergency responders to suffer from decision fatigue.
Decision Fatigue and Bank Loan Officers
A study of bank loan officers published in Royal Society Open Science showed that loan approval rates dropped significantly in the afternoon, compared to the morning. Since one marker of decision fatigue is to just say no due to depleted mental energy, this caused otherwise good loans to be rejected. The study estimated that the bank lost more than $500,000 in revenue for one month due to lost interest and fees.
Additional Resources
For more information on the examples above, see these resources.
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “Extraneous Factors in Judicial Decisions.” This groundbreaking study showed how judges were impacted by decision fatigue.
- National Association of State EMS Officials, “2018 Fatigue Risk Management Guidelines for Emergency Medical Services.” Fatigue impacts the decision-making capabilities of EMS professionals.
- Royal Society Open Science, “Quantifying the Cost of Decision Fatigue: Suboptimal Risk Decisions in Finance.” Loan officers rejected more loans in the afternoon than in the morning, impacting bank revenues.
How to Improve Your Decision-Making Skills to Avoid Decision Fatigue
Fortunately, some techniques can help you avoid decision fatigue and get your life and goals—work, home, diet, and exercise—back on track. Many professionals take steps to improve their decision-making skills so they have a better chance of making the right decisions or well-informed decisions. Training and education can help improve decision-making skills. For instance, pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree can help executives and aspiring executives understand the decision-making process and the elements of good decision-making, such as:
- Be aware of your judgment and biases
- Learn from decisions you’ve made in the past, good and bad
- Collaborate with colleagues and get their input
- Know that timing is everything—don’t be impulsive or procrastinate
- Trust your gut and know when to change your mind
Additional Resources
The following resources are good examples of how to hone your decision-making skills, which will help prevent decision fatigue. The better you get at making decisions, the more likely you’ll be able to prevent a decision that’s impulsive or to move forward when your inclination is to procrastinate.
- Construction Business Owner, “7 Steps to Improve Your Decision-Making Skills.” From defining the problem to living with the decision, here are some guidelines for effective decision-making.
- High Velocity Innovation, “Five Requirements for Effective Decisions.” This resource offers tips for understanding how judgment and decision-making go hand in hand.
- Indeed, “15 Ways to Improve Your Decision-Making Skills.” Including tips to get plenty of rest and exercise, this guide advises practice to get comfortable with making decisions.
Decision Fatigue: How to Avoid the Consequences
Now that you know what decision fatigue is and how to recognize it, how do you avoid the consequences? Here are tips for managing your day, putting the major decisions first, and not sweating the small stuff.
Work with Your Body Clock
Most people have more clarity and energy before lunch. In the afternoon they start to drag. If you can, make the most of your mental resources by making the big decisions before lunch. Ditto for meetings, if your schedule allows for it.
Ask for Input
Include your colleagues in your decision-making. Sometimes, we think we have to solve our problems by ourselves. Your colleagues are a resource whose experience and judgment can support your own, improving the chances of good decision-making outcomes.
Don’t Overthink the Small Things
Some decisions are literally life or death. Most aren’t. President Barack Obama and Steve Jobs were both known for having work uniforms, which freed them up from having to stand in front of the closet in their bathrobe, wasting precious mental energy on deciding what to wear. Failing that, lay out your clothes the night before.
Avoid Last-Minute Decisions
Don’t leave meal planning, going to the gym, grocery shopping, or other tasks to the last minute. Schedule them ahead of time. Keep your gym bag packed so you won’t have an excuse to hit the vending machine rather than the treadmill.
Get Plenty of Rest
One of the biggest causes of decision fatigue is exhaustion. A good night’s sleep can help relieve stress and improve mental and emotional health. This in turn can help you take the time to make the right decision and avoid the pitfalls of decision fatigue.
Understanding Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue can impact everyone, in the workplace and the home. Identifying the root causes of decision fatigue in your life and taking steps to prevent its impact will go a long way toward alleviating the negative consequences. Once you see where procrastination, decision paralysis, and impulsive decision-making come from, you can improve your decision-making skills with practice and awareness. For more information about an online MBA, please visit the program page.