How to avoid injury from the decision-making and does not regret the choice

Why on decision-making can be tiring

Most of the decisions that we take every day, negligible: wear pants or shorts to walk or ride a bike, read or sleep. But they accumulate and lead to fatigue.

The study of this topic began with the work of the psychologist Roy Baumeister depletion of willpower. he provedEgo Depletion: Is the Active Self a Limited Resource?That people have a limited amount of mental resources are depleted when used. When making decisions, we are spending the same resources.

For example, it was foundExtraneous factors in judicial decisionsThat in the morning the judges often render a decision on parole than in the second. 70% of morning hearings ended with the decision to release a defendant, and in the evening, this figure dropped to 10%. A significant difference was observed even among similar cases.

When our mental resources are depleted, we make a choice in favor of the most secure option.

The same happens with the less important decisions, for example, in the work of business analysts. As it turned out

Decision Fatigue and Heuristic Analyst ForecastsDuring the day the accuracy of their forecasts down. The specialists are more and more decisions are made with the help of heuristics, which simplifies the process.

Both choices - not to release prisoners and make predictions simplified - in fact can be considered as avoidance of choice. Judges prefer to leave the prisoner in jail, because this solution does not povlochet for a new crime. Analysts rely on the opinion of the majority or their past predictions, because it is easier than looking for new daring solutions.

We are all susceptible to this. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid injury from the decision-making.

How to avoid injury from the decision-making

1. Reduce the number of unnecessary solutions

This is the easiest way. For example, many successful people every day are one and the same. Eliminating or automating some of the decisions you will save mental resources.

2. Take important decisions in the morning

If possible, leave in the morning, suddenly appeared questions. It's better to be a good decision for a day later than bad immediately.

3. Indulge in sweet

The body needs for energy and brain - in particular. Do not lose self-control will help glucose findSelf-control relies on glucose as a limited energy source: willpower is more than a metaphor some researchers.

4. Do not forget that the end of the day the quality of your decisions falls

Take care of yourself. Slow down before you make a decision. Think if it does not change when you're rested.

see also

• 7 informed decision-making models →
• 20 cognitive biases that affect your decisions →
• The square of the decision-making: you will quickly understand how to act →