109: What is decision fatigue

Decision fatigue is a state of mental overload that can impede our ability to make additional decisions. A more simplified way to explain this is that decision fatigue refers to the mental exhaustion a person experiences after making a lot of decisions. And essentially it is the assumption that the less decisions you have to make the less exhausted or overwhelmed you will feel. Psychologists consider decision fatigue  the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision making. The good news is you don't have to stay stuck in the struggle. So let's talk about how to work through decision fatigue 1. Make your biggest decisions earlier in the day when you're energized and focused. 2. Try to eliminate decision making when possible. (For example meal prepping at the beginning of the week prevents you from having to decide what to make for dinner every night.) 3. Build breaks into your day. I have an alarm on my phone that goes off 2x per day and it says "am I creating from a place of joy or a place of stress" this alarm serves as a gentle reminder to check in with myself and get in touch with what I need in that moment. 4. Get a partner or good friend to weigh in. For me, with an undefined ajna and head center (human design) getting that time to talk it out and get support is extremely freeing and helpful. So get support when you can. 5. Consider writing out a pro's and con's list when you have to make a major decision. This will help you to think it through and reduce the likelihood that you will regret the decision later. 6. When you feel tempted to make a rash or impulsive decision give yourself a chance to take a break. 7. Create and commit to a set routine. Implementing this structure will help you to save time, while simultaneously bringing a sense of consistency in your life. It will also eliminate the need for you to make decisions for some of your basic and routine tasks. Plus your brain loves that consistency. 8. Reflect on past experiences. Sometimes the inability to make a decision is rooted in the fact that you don't trust yourself based on past decisions . One strategy I have found to be exceptionally helpful is to reflect on decisions I have made in the past that were good. I also will look at the ones that were hard, but what I learned from them. This experience and activity always gives me the boost of confidence and energy I need to make decisions both big and small. 9. This may be the most difficult, yet most important- after you make your decision do not waiver. Trust yourself, and trust the process. Ultimately no decision is "wrong" because it's at bare minimum teaching you something. Embrace your power to make healthy decisions and move forward. I have learned the more I trust myself-the better decisions I am starting to make. Regardless of how strong, hardworking or disciplined you are, your ability to make the best choices can eventually run out due to decision fatigue. This is why it is important to not only identify decision fatigue, but to make sense of it can save you a lot of energy emotionally, but can also conserve your time. If you want to learn more about your human design schedule your reading here: https://www.nicolyawilliams.com/human-design-breakthrough-session