“ADHD Decision Fatigue: 6 Ways to Simplify Daily Choices”

The average person makes thousands of decisions a day, from “simple,” subconscious choices to complex ones. The more our days are filled with effortful, conscious decision making, the more susceptible we become to decision fatigue.

If you find yourself overanalyzing options, avoiding decisions, feeling overwhelmed, and then making hasty choices that you later regret, use the following tips to overcome decision fatigue and ADHD paralysis. In other words, “CHOOSE” differently to curb the choices your ADHD brain makes on the daily.

ADHD Decision Fatigue: Solutions

Care for Yourself

Decision-making becomes exponentially harder when your body and mind are not at their best. Caring for yourself reduces stress, improves focus, and eases decision making through the day.

• Nourish your body and brain with regular, healthy meals.
• Set up a good bedtime routine that allows for a restful night’s sleep.
• Give yourself the positive mental effects of mindfulness meditation for a few minutes each day.

High-Priority Appraisal

If a decision you must make is critical and will have a lasting impact, use a pros and cons list to help you analyze it objectively. If making the choice is not urgent, then take your time to make the list and then appraise it the next morning when you have more energy to make the decision. Review your crucial choices with a trusted friend to confirm your thinking process and gain an objective opinion.

[Get This Free Download: The Eisenhower Matrix for ADHD Decision-Making]

Opt Out

Ask yourself, “How important is this decision, really?”  If you realize that your decision and its outcome is not going to matter a week from now, find an easy, fun way to make the decision.

• Flip a coin to decide which route you will take home.
• Assign numbers to household chores and then roll dice to determine what you will do first.
• Close your eyes and point at a list to choose a restaurant for lunch.

Opportunities for Others

You do not have to be the sole decider. Give others the chance to decide. Try delegating reasonable decision-making opportunities to co-workers and family members. This gives them a chance to learn and grow. Avoid the temptation to micromanage; be open to observing how well things turn out.

Simplify

Take choice out of the equation! Cut down on the number of daily decisions in your life with routines and habits. Think of the routine activities in your life and opportunities to limit your options.

[Read: The Antidote to ADHD Fatigue and Exhaustion? Stacking Habits (and Spoons)]

• Designate a set number of outfits for work so you can just grab and go in the mornings.
• Assign specific meals to each day of the week and then rotate through two or three weekly schedules of meals. (Think school cafeteria schedule.)
• Create a grocery shopping master list that includes ingredients needed for the assigned weekly meals.

Effectively Realistic

Worrying about making the best decision – a form of perfectionism – is mentally taxing and leads to added stress and decision paralysis. There is no need to seek the perfect solution or choice. Instead, focus on what is realistic, effective, and good enough for the situation.

ADHD Decision Fatigue: Next Steps

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