Every choice drains energy—discover how to make decisions that empower your life and family
7:00 a.m: The ring of the “Radar” alarm signal- courtesy of Apple- echoes on the nightstand.
Do you…
- Hit the snooze button.
- Start the day.
You chose B. Up and at ‘em! After the classic adjusting-to-the-bathroom-light + tooth brushing combo, it’s time to craft an outfit for the day ahead.
Do you choose…
- A tie with a subtle stripe pattern.
- A solid brown tie.
It’s only been fifteen hypothetical minutes and the day has already taken us through two decisions. While seemingly minuscule and relatively low-risk choices, if we were to split up a professional Father’s day into 15-minute increments highlighting the decisions made in each block, it might start to look more like a Deal or No Deal script. From at-home planning that revolves around choosing family activities to making budget decisions in the workplace, a constant stream of choices can start to feel repetitive, overwhelming, and mind-fogging after some time.
Known as decision fatigue, when an individual makes several selections, both big and small, over a short period of time, this repetition can lead to mental exhaustion and the draining of cognitive resources used to make clear, cohesive choices. If this resonates with your experience, you are certainly not alone.
John Rampton, CEO of finance company Due, outlines the importance of finding productive ways to combat decision fatigue from his own experience in Entrepreneur. Outlining the stark contrast of the pre-baby after-work routine to his current one, Rampton spotlights the Ivy Lee method which consists of jotting down a short list of items in priority order to complete the following day. While decision fatigue can feel intense and encompassing, utilizing tactics like the method above that work in tandem with your work style can be the difference between going through the motions and having a clear mind. Take a look through the tips below to learn how you can combat the effects!
Setting a Window:
With a seemingly never ending succession of decision-making throughout a typical work day, personal, less-demanding choices can feel much more daunting when the exhaustion of decision fatigue kicks in. From choosing a new restaurant to try with the family to finding an easy meal for dinner, sticking to decision windows can help shape, speed up, and streamline the smaller, more light-hearted options of the day.
Give yourself a specific time during the work day to address those smaller decisions (3 pm – 4 pm, for example) and use this block to lay out the quick choices you might have to make for the current or following day. Whether this be finding the ideal time for a team meeting or outlining your to-do list, implementing a specific “decision-making” time allows you to convert your focus to efficient task completion throughout the day.
Keep the Inbox to a Minimum:
Among the most notorious legends that have passed from generation to generation- i.e. the likes of the Loch Ness monster or the infamous Bigfoot- sits one of the world’s most elusive creatures. The completely empty inbox.
While this can often seem like a highly unlikely sighting, adopting an “Inbox Zero” approach to your day-to-day is totally possible, extremely efficient, and a solid tool to assist in eliminating small, time-eating decisions.
TIME IT
Checking email frequently throughout your day without a set schedule can actually hinder your ability to stay productive and on-task. Opening the email tab without a time limit actively takes your mind off of your current task at hand and forces you to try picking up the same momentum when your email-checking concludes. Instead, try to set specific times in your schedule designated to tending the inbox. (Ex. 9 am -10 am or 2 pm – 3 pm)
SEPARATE
Let’s jump back into that Choose-Your-Own-Adventure for a minute. The clock on the corner of your computer screen has hit 9 am- your designated email-reading time, of course- and you have just opened the Outlook tab. Clicking on the first message, you can either: Delete, Delegate, Respond, Defer, or Do. Follow the list below to see the outcome of your decision.
- Delete: Spam? Send this one right to the trash.
- Delegate: Another message from the sales team? Amanda’s been handling these super efficiently lately- send this one over to her. As seen frequently, an email that can be handled by another team member might hit your inbox first. Forward the message to the correct person to ensure timely delegation.
- Respond: Needs a yes or no answer? For emails that require a brief, 2-minute maximum reply, the response route is the way to go. Handle right away, and you will have one less message in your collection.
- Defer: Just received an email about an upcoming event? You might need this one for future reference. Time to defer it to a “Reference” folder. Use a folder system to label your emails. Consider implementing a Read Later, Action, Waiting, or Reference tab to help keep track of what emails still need replies, additional information, or have been taken care of.
- Do: Okay, you’ve now opened a message that will take a bit more time to craft. For emails that require a heftier response, add time to your schedule to reply to the message. Move the note to a labeled folder with the corresponding action.
Implementing these strategies makes your email checking intentional and productive. Try the separation method the next time you open an email to test if the tactic will work for your inbox!
Capsule Wardrobe + Outfit Planning:
The reach of a Dynamic Dad doesn’t stop at fashion. As it has been sewn into our wake-up routines, we face decision-making from the moment we open our closets. While often a subconscious thought process, choosing an outfit for the workday can take time and might feel overwhelming when the ensemble you had in mind doesn’t materialize the way it was initially envisioned.
If you find yourself in this mindset frequently, curating a capsule wardrobe can help eliminate extra decision-making that might take up too much energy before you even get to the office. Follow the how-to below to create a closet that is adjustable, customized, and dynamic.
- Assess your needs. Depending on your tasks each day, you likely will need key pieces for different purposes. Separate your basics into Workwear, Casual Wear, Athletic wear, Accessories (i.e. belts, watches), and any additional categories that fit the needs of your weekly activities.
- Start fresh. Evaluate your current collection and declutter. Set aside a pile of items no longer worn ensuring that you are faced only with pieces you truly want to wear when choosing your daily pairings.
- Invest in the basics. Make sure to include, or source as needed, quality basics that can be matched with several other pieces in your wardrobe. From dress shirts to slacks, having multiple key items for your 9-5 in colorways that can be easily paired with others in your closet helps simplify the morning routine.
- Maintain + refresh. Keep this process going as you introduce new clothing to the mix. Evaluate what pieces are your repeat go-tos and double up with new colors. Finding additional add-ons like belts or ties are a great way to add personality to your daily garb.
While certainly efficient, this process might not work for every closet. Instead, try sticking to a weekly outfit plan schedule. Allot 30 minutes on the weekends to mix and match potential sets for the week. Set aside and grab from your five pairings as the mornings arrive, eliminating the time and effort used to decide the minute details of a cohesive outfit right before heading to the office.
Decision-Making Programs:
With such a vast array of technological programs at our fingertips, it’s easy to overlook apps and services that help add to the ease of day-to-day activities.
Programs like Monday and Trello that are typically used for workplace delegation and task tracking, can certainly be translated into the personal realm. By assigning tasks to yourself and labeling them as “Crucial” or “Low Priority”, you will be able to visualize the tasks that need your attention immediately versus items that could be looked at later in the day.
Decision fatigue for fathers, especially those juggling the demands of the work world combined with the duties of home life, can be particularly damaging- but, it is not a life sentence. Finding ways to curb the effects, or even eliminate small daily decisions for yourself, can clear your mind and create a new way of approaching your typical routine. To learn more about decision fatigue in professional fathers, as well as additional tactics to address it, subscribe to the Vitality Leadership E-Book located on the Home Page.
