Not familiar with the concept of decision fatigue? You’re not alone. I was speaking with a group of college students recently who had not heard of this concept that our ability to make decisions deteriorates over a time of decision making.
Decision fatigue is the reason some high level leaders choose to wear the same outfits each day. They recognize that if they spend time deciding what to wear at the beginning of each day that will take away from their ability to make an important decision later in the day. Decision fatigue is also the reason you find fun treats in the check out section at the grocery store. Marketers know that after making decisions on the types of apples or what kind of coffee creamer to buy for the week (and 20+ other decisions in your grocery run that day) that your brain is exhausted. This is why you are much more likely to grab that overpriced pack of gum or a magazine you don’t need at the end of your shopping trip.
We only have so much brain capacity.
Our ability to be on the top of our game diminishes throughout the day and I would argue, throughout the college semester. When we are given too many decisions to make and too many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming.
And college shouldn’t feel overwhelming! Yes, there are stressful parts — you leave home for the first time, you choose a major that may turn into a forever career, you take time to figure out what you believe apart from your parents and the type of person you want to be in life. These are all big and new and can feel like a lot. But the day to day, should feel simple and light. You will never have more time to yourself or more freedom over what you get to do than you do right now.
Our ability to be on the top of our game diminishes throughout the day and I would argue, throughout the college semester. When we are given too many decisions to make and too many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming.
By reducing the amount of decisions you need to make on a daily and semesterly basis, you can greatly reduce the amount of unnecessary stress you are feeling (the necessary stress will always be there). Think about your morning or evening routine, simplify something quickly or take something off your plate with these tips here!
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