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Scientists estimate that we make up to 35,000 decisions every day. Researchers at Cornell University found that people make an average of 226.7 decisions every day about food alone. (Think of the coffee options on an average menu, just for starters.)Physiologists believe that we start each day with a limited number of ‘decision-making points’. Research indicates this is around 100. After we’ve used these up, we become cognitively impaired (hello, 3pm slump).A University of Columbia study tested this, by measuring 1,112 parole-board rulings over a 10-month period. They found that at the beginning of the day, a judge was likely to give a favourable ruling about 65% of the time. Later in the morning, when the judge was drained from making more and more decisions, the likelihood of a criminal getting a favourable ruling had dropped to near zero. After a lunch break, favourable rulings returned to 65%. By the end of the afternoon, they were back close to zero.
Think of the impact of this in your working life.
We get worn out by the number of decisions we have to make in a day. At a certain point, we give up and become unproductive. Our brains simply start to drift off…
Clashing against this is the common work habit of taking a ‘To Do’ list and blasting through a batch of quick and easy tasks first up (just for the buzz of the accomplishment). We’re wasting some of our most refreshed, ideal decision-making time on lower-value activities. |
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By the time we turn to our ‘Bang for Buck’ task, we’re already suffering decision-fatigue. It’s why we often push that task out for another time — because, having already used our freshest mind-space for the day, it’s just too hard to think.
Other impacts of decision-fatigue at work are clouded judgement, undesirable management behaviours (losing focus or getting angry with colleagues in meetings) and making impulsive, irrational choices (or no decision at all) which we regret as early as the next working day. |
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There are two key times in your day when you’re likely to be at your most alert. One block is first thing in the morning when you’re fresh. The second is the block straight after lunch (provided you have stopped for a lunch break and refreshed — having some exercise as well is even better).
Step 1:
Look at the tasks you have to do and select your ‘bang for buck’ activities. These are the work choices that will give you the most progress on your most important projects.
Schedule these firmly into your calendar (the way you would with any other work commitment). Book them in the key early morning and early afternoon time slots.
If people ask whether you are free for ad hoc meetings or appointments during these times, uphold your commitment to yourself to get more done by saying ‘no’ wherever possible.
Step 2:
Reserve blocks of time in your calendar now during the least productive hours of the day (right before lunch and at the end of the day) to get your lowest ‘brain power’ tasks done.
This may be a switch from your usual approach. As you’re experimenting with this style this week, take note of changes to your productivity and focus. |
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Do you suffer from Decision Fatigue? Here’s an informative article from the New York Times magazine , by John Tierney. |
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Come Back Tomorrow...
And put the 'Zeigarnik Effect' in motion.
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