Decision Fatigue is Real: How to Protect Your Most Valuable Resource

Published on August 12, 2025

We make thousands of decisions every day, from what to wear in the morning to which strategic initiative to pursue in the afternoon. Each of these decisions, no matter how small, depletes our finite reserve of mental energy. This is decision fatigue, and it's one of the most insidious and productivity-killing forces in our lives.

The Science of Decision Fatigue

Decision fatigue is the idea that our ability to make good decisions deteriorates after a long session of decision-making. As our mental energy wanes, we start to look for shortcuts. We become more likely to make impulsive choices, to avoid decisions altogether, or to stick with the default option, even if it's not the best one. It's why you're more likely to order a pizza after a long day of work than to cook a healthy meal.

The High Cost of Depleted Willpower

The consequences of decision fatigue can be significant. In a business context, it can lead to poor strategic choices, missed opportunities, and a general sense of being overwhelmed and out of control. It's a silent killer of productivity, and it's a problem that affects us all, from CEOs to entry-level employees.

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." - Vince Lombardi

Protecting Your Most Valuable Resource

The key to combating decision fatigue is to treat your mental energy as your most valuable and finite resource. Here are a few strategies to protect it:

  • Make Fewer Decisions: Automate or routinize as many decisions as possible. Wear the same outfit every day, eat the same breakfast, and create a standardized workflow for your most common tasks.
  • Make Your Most Important Decisions in the Morning: Your mental energy is at its peak in the morning, so tackle your most important and cognitively demanding tasks first.
  • Don't Make Decisions on an Empty Stomach: Research has shown that low glucose levels can impair our ability to make good decisions. So, make sure you're well-fed before you tackle a big decision.
  • Simplify Your Choices: When faced with a complex decision, try to reduce the number of options. The fewer choices you have, the less mental energy you'll expend.

Decision fatigue is a real and powerful force, but it's not insurmountable. By understanding the science behind it and implementing a few simple strategies, you can protect your most valuable resource and start making better decisions, both in your business and in your life.