How to Manage Decision Fatigue

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately, which, as you know, can be really tough when you’re juggling a business and a family. Add in the fact that one of my kiddos is only eight weeks old, and well… let’s just say my days have been extra full!

That’s why I wanted to talk about something super important that I know a lot of us deal with all the time: decision fatigue. If you’ve been feeling mentally drained and overwhelmed by all the decisions you make every day, you’re not alone! Today, we’re going to dive into how to manage decision fatigue—something every Boss Mom needs to know.

What Is Decision Fatigue?

Before we get into how to manage decision fatigue, let’s define it. Decision fatigue happens when we get exhausted from making too many decisions throughout the day. As moms and entrepreneurs, we face two types of decision fatigue:

• Too Many Options: This is when you’re trying to pick a tool for your business, a baby gadget, or even what to cook for dinner. There are just so many options, and it’s hard to know what’s best.
• Too Many Decisions All Day Long: From deciding what the kids will wear, to choosing which work task to tackle first, these constant decisions can pile up. By the end of the day, you’re mentally tapped out, and that’s where decision fatigue hits hard.

Understanding how decision fatigue affects you is the first step in figuring out how to manage decision fatigue in your daily life.

 

Step 1: Have a Plan

The best way to manage decision fatigue is to have a plan. When you create a plan for both your business and your home life, it cuts down on the number of decisions you have to make on the fly. This works for both types of decision fatigue—the kind where you’re overwhelmed by options and the kind where you’re overloaded with too many decisions.

 

Here’s how to manage decision fatigue by making a solid plan:

1. Know Your Purpose (a.k.a. Your Why): Knowing your purpose makes decision-making easier because you can filter every choice through the lens of whether it aligns with your big-picture goals. When you’re clear on your “why,” you’ll have a strong foundation for making decisions that matter.
2. Set Priorities: One of the reasons we get overwhelmed is shiny object syndrome. It’s tempting to try every new tool or course, but that’s how you spread yourself too thin. Set clear priorities and stick to them. This will help you focus on what truly matters and avoid decision fatigue.
3. Create a Schedule: A solid schedule is essential for managing decision fatigue. When you know what needs to happen and in what order, it eliminates a lot of daily decision-making stress. Start your day by asking what tasks need to be done first, especially if others are depending on you to make a decision.

Step 2: Set a Time Limit for Decisions

One of the biggest culprits of decision fatigue is over-researching options. Whether you’re choosing a new business tool or deciding which course to take, too many options can be paralyzing. A great tip on how to manage decision fatigue is to set a time limit.

Here’s what I recommend: give yourself a specific amount of time to research your options, and then make a decision. Don’t spend endless hours trying to find the “perfect” choice. Perfectionism leads to more stress and delays, which is the opposite of what you need.

Mistakes are part of the process, so don’t be afraid to make decisions. In fact, one of the best ways to manage decision fatigue is to accept that you won’t always make the perfect choice—and that’s okay! What matters is that you move forward.

 

Step 3: Follow Your Influencers

If you’re wondering how to manage decision fatigue when there are too many options, a great trick is to follow your influencers. These are the people in your industry who you trust and admire. By listening to their recommendations, you can avoid getting overwhelmed by trying to figure everything out yourself.

When you follow influencers who have already been where you are, you can learn from their mistakes and successes. This saves you time, energy, and mental bandwidth because you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you make a decision.

 

Step 4: Get Clear on What You Need

Another essential tip on how to manage decision fatigue is to get clear on what you actually need before you start researching. Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of this decision?
• How does it fit into my overall business plan?
• What is the timeline I’m working with?

Getting clear on these questions will narrow down your options and make it easier to decide, and be super confident in every decision you make. If you know exactly what you need, you’ll spend less time wading through unnecessary information and more time moving forward with your goals.

 

Step 5: Make the Decision and Act

Once you’ve done your research, the final step in how to manage decision fatigue is to make the decision and act on it. So much of decision fatigue comes from second-guessing ourselves or worrying about making the wrong choice. But here’s the thing: action is always better than inaction.

After you’ve made your decision, let go of the worry and move forward. As entrepreneurs, we have to be agile and willing to adjust as needed. You’re a smart, capable Boss Mom, and you know what’s best for your business and your family. So make the decision, act, and keep going!

 

Managing Decision Fatigue Like a Pro

Now that you know how to manage decision fatigue, it’s time to put these strategies into action. Having a plan, setting priorities, following influencers, and acting decisively are key to reducing the mental load that comes with making endless decisions. By taking control of your decision-making process, you’ll free up more time and energy for the things that truly matter—like growing your business and spending time with your family.

 

Want Decision Support from Trusted Peers?

Knowing how to manage decision fatigue is just the beginning! One of the best ways to avoid decision fatigue is to surround yourself with a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs. You don’t have to do this alone!

That’s why I encourage you to create your own peer-to-peer mastermind. And the best way to find your perfect mastermind partner? Take the BossMom Personality Quiz! It’ll help you discover your strengths and match you with other Boss Moms who can support you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Click here to take the BossMom Personality Quiz and start building your mastermind today!