5 Tips for Minimizing decision fatigue and Maximizing productivity
Decision fatigue is real.
As someone who has struggled with the constant barrage of choices that come with running a business and managing a personal life, I’ve learned the hard way that too many decisions / to-dos can lead to mental exhaustion and decreased productivity.
So in this blog post, I’ll share my deeply personal journey and the 5 tips (last one could be most important ) that have helped me combat decision fatigue and regain control over my productivity.
Part 1: The Struggle with Decision Fatigue
Every day, I faced a seemingly endless stream of decisions, from minor to major. Over time, the burden of these choices became overwhelming.
I remember the feeling of being overwhelmed by even the simplest decisions, the most common one like which task to tackle next (being an entrepreneur surely this resonate?) .
The mental strain was palpable.
As decision fatigue set in, I noticed a significant drop in my productivity.
The energy once devoted to creative tasks and strategic planning was now consumed by the stress of constant choices.
The emotional toll was significant.
I felt stuck, felt like whatever decision I make would have trade-off, felt trapped in a loop of indecision and inefficiency, which led to frustration and a sense of failure.
Tip 1 — Establish Routines
The first step in my journey was to establish routines that would automate certain decisions, freeing up mental space for more critical tasks.
I started by creating a morning routine that included reviewing my vision, and a healthy breakfast.
This not only improved my mood and energy levels but also took the guesswork out of starting my day.
I will share my CEO routine with actual daily planning template that I use in the livestream soon!
Oh yes I’d like to formally invite you to join my NEW facebook group “Effortless Abundance” where I host ALL my livestreams and connect with my online fam via video.
Here’s the link to the new fb group (can watch all my livestreams + replays): https://www.facebook.com/share/g/4uuRsLCRkTgFLrd8/
See you inside! Really looking forward to connecting with you further.
Tip 2 — Limit Choices
Reducing the number of choices I faced daily was a game-changer in minimizing decision fatigue.
I decluttered my environment and limited my options, for example, by having a weekly meal plan or a curated wardrobe. This simple act of limiting choices had a profound impact on my mental energy.
And most notably, I started implementing an execution system that allows me to plan strategically in advance to know what I need to do on any given day / week.
So I don’t need to ask “what should I do today?” — which is really common for freelancers, work from home or business owners.
The problems with coming up with a to do list are 5-fold:
#1 One problem with to-do lists is the lack of prioritization. They can become a hodgepodge of tasks without clear distinctions between what’s urgent and what’s important.
#2 Another issue is the absence of clear goals. Without alignment to your broader objectives, a to-do list can keep you busy but not necessarily pointed in the right direction.
#3 Third, To-do lists can also create an illusion of infinite tasks, leading to a feeling of overwhelm. They can be a bottomless pit that’s hard to escape from.
#4 Additionally, traditional to-do lists often lack a system of accountability. Without deadlines or consequences, tasks can linger indefinitely.
#5 And lastly, they tend to focus on actions rather than outcomes. It’s easy to get caught up in the doing rather than the results of your efforts.
That’s why if your current planning system is a to-do list, you may want to re-think whether this is serving you well.
My result has been obvious since I adopted an execution system, which includes strategic planning and prioritization, helps me focus on what truly moves the needle. It’s about quality over quantity and impact over activity.
Tip 3 — Schedule Decision Time
Treating decision making as a scheduled task allowed me to approach it with a fresh mind, rather than as a constant drain on my cognitive resources.
I designated specific times in my week for making decisions, whether it was choosing projects to pursue or selecting content for my social media. This approach helped me stay focused and efficient.
I literally have calendar block for this (which is also a sub-system in my execution system)
Tip 4 — Embrace Imperfection
Learning to accept ‘good enough’ was a significant step in reducing the pressure to make perfect decisions.
I had to let go of my perfectionist tendencies and understand that not every decision had to be ideal.
I couldn’t believe it but —
#1 I took a WHOLE day off doing nothing in launch period of Epic 12 execution mastermind LOL
#2 I took a sick leave (period, tummy not feeling well and I decided to create a self-made sick leave for resting) and I just binge watch netflix / sleep whole day #joy
#3 I didn’t do anything at all for the business during weekend (Saturday + sunday)
So for the past 7 days, I only worked 3 days….. and only about 2 hours each day…. AND that’s in the middle of a launch #insane
I would have never imagined it possible before… how easeful it feels this time round is like a feather compared to how I operate the business previously (like pulling an elephant uphills)
The key difference: isn’t that I work harder, or that a new strategy magically works…
But:
I learnt how to not to overwhelm myself,
I learnt how to apply and really put into practice the 80/20 rule and focus on what really matters and what really moves the needle forward,
I overcame my shiny object syndrome and able to gently guide myself back to focus whenever I got sidetracked,
I identified my mindset issue of “not enough” and the anxiety to keep adding more to the to-do list, and did the work to overcome that,
I discovered the inadequacy of the to-do list and changed to a more reliable execution system,
I learnt to do less, and dig deeper instead of doing 100 things spreading myself too thin that I don’t do one thing well,
I learnt to have a better relationship with myself (and my clients), trusting myself (and my clients) more,
And still….
the number of interested people keeps growing non-stop — a week ago only around 170 people signed up for Epic 12 intro,
today I just checked: 215 out of my 537 audience signed up!!!
215 people!
40% of my followers! 40%!!! 40%!!!!!!!
That’s overwhelming (though I don’t know the industry average but I feel so, so, so grateful for your ongoing support~)
My heartfelt THANK YOU 🥺🌹❤ to all of my fellow Medium subs and who supports my Epic 12 execution program launch ❤
Overall, more self acceptance brought a sense of relief and freedom to me that’s never before.
Tip 5 — Having a reliable system
Having a reliable system that I can see helped me stay present and focused, and also increase clarity and certainty, reducing the anxiety associated with decision-making.
For someone who value security a lot, I don’t trust my willpower or discipline (let’s be honest, we’re all human, and we have human experience meaning we would have times when we don’t feel like doing what we need to do).
So having a reliable execution system just take the decision making out of the way — I don’t think whether I feel like doing it or not, I just follow the system.
No decision needed — just like I won’t think about whether I should brush my teeth this morning. Just follow the system.
This has been huge for me in growing my business.
Changing habits and mindsets is never easy. There was resistance, both internally and externally, as I implemented these changes.
I faced moments of doubt and frustration, especially when old habits tried to resurface.
But with persistence and patience (and supported by an execution system), I learned to navigate these emotional hurdles.
With decision fatigue minimized, I experienced a significant increase in my productivity and overall sense of well-being.
I felt a renewed sense of control and purpose, as my days were no longer dictated by the stress of constant decision-making.
(ad) The Epic 12 execution mastermind launch STARTS TODAY until 30 Aug 🎉🎉🎉
So Officially :
You can enroll in the Epic 12 execution mastermind NOW
You can entitle to a $1000 discount if enroll within 48 hours of launch
You can get bonuses when enrolling to the Epic 12 execution mastermind, including “Vision clarifying workshop” , “How to hit your money goal and make $100,000 before year end using the Epic 12 execution system”, “My Simple Roadmap that I Use to Hit $10k Month and More with Ease and Peace using the Epic 12 execution system” , “Autopilot Content Strategy that Attracts 55 Buyers in a Week using the Epic 12 execution system”
And……… Drum roll here LOL…..
I’ve ADDED IN ONE MORE UNEXPECTED, SUPER HUGE (GIGANTIC) SECRET BONUS to Epic 12 execution mastermind THAT YOU’D NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE ~ ONLY FOR MY MEDIUM FAM (I know if you’re signing up from my link on Medium LOL)
Just want to make sure I 10x repay and thank you for your ongoing and overwhelming support to me on Medium platform ~ (this secret bonus is GIGANTIC I guarantee you)
**Details of the Epic 12 execution mastermind + Enrolment checkout links here**
Looking forward to working with you to install the Epic 12 execution system so you can execute with ease.
In conclusion, minimizing decision fatigue and maximizing productivity is a deeply personal and transformative journey.
By establishing routines, limiting choices, scheduling decision time, embracing imperfection, and having a reliable system, I was able to regain control over my life and my work.
Hope this sharing helps you on your path to a more balanced and productive life.
With love,
Connie
