Decision Making Drains You – Wait till You’re Fresh, Clear and Aware!

 ‘Bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘Rinku and I went shopping at the mall. There were so many shops and so much choice that I couldn’t decide. I returned dazed and empty handed.’

‘I bought some stuff bhaiyya,’ said Rinku. ‘But I’m not happy. I’m not sure if I bought the right stuff. I thought I’d be happier with more choice. But no.’

‘Ha,’ laughed Rakesh. ‘You’ve suffered from decision paralysis Rahul. And Rinku, you experienced the paradox of choice. You see, we have a limited amount of energy when it comes to decision-making. Choosing from large selections overwhelms us and we cannot decide. I’ve read about a study in which customers were asked to choose from a selection of six varieties of jelly and a selection of twenty four varieties of jelly. Guess what? Customers bought ten times more jelly from the six-variety selection than the twenty four varieties one. And even if we buy from large selections, as Rinku did, with so much choice available, we may never be fully satisfied with our decisions.’

‘How do we decide then bhaiyya?’ said Rinku. ‘‘I feel overwhelmed with so much choice - travel, career, shopping, even relationships.’

‘Reduce your options to a manageable list beforehand,’ said Rakesh. ’Think carefully about what you want, write down your desired criteria and stick to it. Also, make a ‘Not-to-Do list’ so you focus your energy on what you want. More importantly, do it without stressing about getting it right every time.’

‘These tips should definitely help bhaiyya. I’ll start using them.’

‘What else do we need to know to make better decisions bhaiyya?’ asked Rahul.

‘Watch out for decision fatigue,’ said Rakesh. ‘It’s proven that as the day goes by or even after making a few decisions, decision fatigue sets in, leading to poor quality decisions. So, when it comes to important decisions, ensure a clear, uncluttered and fresh mind. Earlier in the day the better. Another way to clear your mind is by using minimum energy by having set routines about smaller decisions like what to eat, wear – for example only white shirts or blue shirts, oats or cornflakes etc. Establishing routines with smaller decisions saves energy for bigger decisions.’

‘But bhaiyya,’ asked Rahul. ‘What if we cannot avoid making decisions under stress?’

‘In such circumstances, step back,’ said Rakesh. ‘Take a few deep breaths. Observe your breathing for a few minutes. Being aware of your breath makes you present and aware. It aids clarity. When you feel relaxed and grounded, you’re in a better state to decide.’

‘Thanks bhaiyya,’ said Rinku. ‘Big help.’

Pro Tip: Decision making is tiring and a tired mind can lead to poor decisions. Conserve energy by reducing options, making a not-to-do list and making important decisions in a clear and fresh frame of mind to improve your decision-making. 


 

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