Making decisions feels productive, but our ability to make decisions diminishes as we make more of them throughout the day. Even small, unimportant decisions can erode judgment.
Questions like “When should I wake up?”, “What should I wear?”, “What’s for breakfast?”, and “Should I work out?” can snowball throughout a day. Especially when they break into microdecisions, like “Do I have time to shower?” and “What cup should I use?”
By incorporating scheduling (planned tasks), routines (chains of minor tasks), templates (guides), and rules (pre-made decisions), you can eliminate a lot of guesswork from your day.
Examples:
- Setting an alarm.
- Simplifying your wardrobe.
- Following a morning ritual.
- Prepping meals weekly.
- Doing a guided workout.
By eliminating trivial decisions, you can reclaim a bit of time and mental energy spent on menial contemplation. At the same time, you’ll increase your capacity to tackle meaningful or spontaneous situations.
What have you contemplated today that wasn’t worthwhile?
