Routine Decisions Suck, But You Can Learn How To Deal With Them!

Table of Contents Show

We thrive on routine but at the same time, it brings with it boredom, fatigue, and the inability to go on. Sometimes we don’t feel like getting you the next day, going through the same actions with the same results, and end up asking ourselves - what’s the point of it all?

What to pack for the school snack, what to take for your lunch, what to cook for dinner, when’s the laundry going to be done, how to avoid the morning traffic - every day the same thing until the weekend or vacation. This is the exhaustion routine decisions take on us.

What if we could simplify these choices, outline the types of decisions and reclaim our mental space to improve our daily lives?

A. What are Routine Decisions?

Routine decisions are the repetitive, predictable choices that keep our daily lives running smoothly. Think of them as the background music to your day – familiar and consistent, allowing you to focus on the melody – the truly important decisions that require your full attention.

Dr. Amelia Moore, a cognitive psychologist, puts it perfectly:

“ Routine decisions are the bread and butter of our daily lives – the automated choices that keep us functioning smoothly.”

— Dr. Amelia Moore

They're the reason you can grab your usual coffee order without a second thought, or breeze through your morning commute on autopilot.

Decision fatigue from these daily choices can take a toll on you. The more trivial choices we make throughout the day, like what to cook for the kids, the less mental energy we have left for the important stuff.

But by mastering routine decisions, we can free up that precious brainpower and channel it toward what truly matters. Just think about the possibilities: finally tackling that creative project, crushing those work deadlines, or simply savoring a family dinner without the pre-dinner fridge panic.

If you’re already looking forward to the new book you’ve been wanting to sink your teeth into or finally getting some time to get that much-needed pedicure, we’re here to help. This guide is your way to tackling those routine decisions with ease, boosting productivity, and beating decision fatigue. Read on to learn how ?

B. What Does It Mean By Routine Decision? A Personal Example From My Life

As an avid reader who thrives on focus and a clear mind, I can personally vouch for the power of routine reading. For years, I struggled to dedicate consistent time to reading amidst the daily hustle. But when I made it a habit to schedule 30 minutes of reading before bed each night, everything changed.

This simple routine decision transformed my evenings. Carving out this dedicated reading time allows me to unwind, delve into captivating stories, and stimulate my imagination – all on autopilot.

Regular reading has been shown to improve memory, focus, and cognitive function. It can also reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and well-being. By making reading a routine decision, you're not just enriching your mind; you're investing in your overall mental health and relaxation.

Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Maybe you prefer reading for 30 minutes in the morning instead of before bed. Or perhaps you find shorter, 10-minute reading breaks throughout the day more manageable.

The key is to find a healthy habit that integrates seamlessly into your routine and then leverage routine decision-making to make it a consistent part of your life.

C. Mastering Routine Decisions

The advantages of mastering routine decisions extend far beyond simply avoiding the "what to pack for lunch" conundrum. Making routine choices effectively is key to boosting productivity and simplifying your daily life.

Here are some key benefits that will have you reaching for the autopilot button in no time:

Mastering Routine And Basic Decision Making

I. Reduced Decision Fatigue

Have you ever felt drained after a long day filled with endless choices? That's decision fatigue at play!

Our brains have a limited capacity for making decisions, and every choice chips away at that resource. Delegating routine decisions to autopilot allows us to conserve mental energy for the important, life-changing choices that really matter.

For example, you’ve had a very hectic day, managing work, kids, chores, and racing against time to get everything done. Calculating time by the minute to ensure nothing gets delayed and everyone’s schedule stays on track.

At the end of the day, you just want to crash and sleep or maybe veg out in front of the TV.

But wait!

You forgot you had to finalize your budgeting to fit in your kid’s university fees and the house mortgage. Now your brain is exhausted and you lack the clarity and foresight to do the budgeting accurately.

If you had been taking your routine decisions on autopilot, your brain would’ve still had the capacity to do this important task.

II. Increased Efficiency

Imagine a morning routine where you don't have to spend precious minutes deliberating between outfits. Or a grocery shopping trip where you know exactly what you need without getting sidetracked by impulse purchases.

Routine decisions streamline your day, allowing you to accomplish more in less time. Instead of taking two hours deliberating choices in the supermarket, you would just pick the items off your list and be done more quickly, leaving you enough time to organize and shelve all the stuff at home.

III. Improved Focus

When your mind is constantly bombarded with choices, it's hard to focus on the task at hand. Routine decisions act as a mental filter, freeing you to concentrate on what truly matters, whether it's a complex work project, a creative endeavor, or simply enjoying quality time with loved ones.

Remember the budgeting you had to do the day you were too tired? With a focused mind, you could have done your calculations more effectively, having the brain power to come up with solutions to manage the fund shortage and find a way to manage the additional expenses. But when you’re tired, everything looks like a tall mountain you can not even try to climb.

These are just a few benefits of mastering routine decisions. However, not all routine choices are created equal. There are the simple ones that require no thought at all and then there are those that need to be deliberated over.

How do you avoid overthinking and wasting time? Let’s explore it in the next section.

D. Complexity in Routine Decisions

Think of routine decisions like a spectrum, with low-complexity decisions on one end and high-complexity on the other. Here’s how the easy and difficult decisions work:

1. Low-complexity decisions

Are the choices we make on autopilot with minimal deliberation. They consist of our daily routine and are something we repeatedly do during our life, for example:

Choosing your go-to breakfast: Oatmeal with berries becomes your default, a familiar and healthy choice that requires no debate.
Taking the usual route to work: You navigate the familiar streets on autopilot, freeing your mind to plan for the day ahead.
Grabbing your favorite coffee order: No deliberation needed – a medium latte with a splash of caramel is your tried-and-true pick-me-up.

2. High-Complexity Decisions

They require a bit more thought and consideration. They may not be everyday occurrences and might involve:

Choosing a new gym membership: Comparing prices, locations, and amenities requires research and evaluation before making a decision.
Planning a vacation: Deciding on a destination, booking flights and accommodations involves multiple factors and comparisons.
Trying a new dinner recipe: While you might have a go-to weeknight meal, a new recipe requires following unfamiliar instructions and considering dietary preferences.

Examples Of Low Complexity And High Complexity Routine Decisions

Several factors can influence the complexity of a routine decision:

Familiarity with Options: The more familiar you are with the choices available, the easier it becomes to make a quick decision.
Number of Options Available: A plethora of options can lead to analysis paralysis, making a simple decision more complex. Instead of looking at all the gyms near you, filter by location, then the remaining by budget and then timings, and finally choose the one that fits your requirements.
Potential Consequences: If the potential consequences of a decision are high, it naturally requires more deliberation, even if it's a routine activity. For example, foregoing the more expensive vacation destination because managing your budget will become extremely challenging after your return. Instead, choose one that provides everything you want in the holiday but gives up a few things to facilitate your finances.

Understanding the spectrum of complexity in routine decisions enables us to identify the ones that deserve a little more thought and the ones that can be safely delegated to autopilot.

E. Routine vs Strategic Decision-Making

While routine decisions are powerful tools for streamlining your day, strategic decisions are what define our life’s path. They are how we begin planning our personal and professional lives, making choices that allow us to achieve our goals and the outcomes we desire. Some examples of strategic decisions include choosing a college major, buying a house, or accepting a job offer.

Strategic decisions are characterized by:

Long-Term Impact: These decisions have lasting consequences, shaping our future for months or even years to come. Should you go for the job with immediate gratification or choose the one with lower pay but higher chances of growth?
High Stakes: Strategic decisions often involve significant resources, be it financial investment, time commitment, or emotional energy. Is it wise to keep on renting or is it time to invest in a house for your family?

Here's business consultant Michael Thompson's take: "Strategic decisions are the crossroads where we chart the course of our lives and careers."

The key lies in knowing when to switch gears, adopting a different approach, or making adjustments to make the most insightful and valuable choice.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when faced with a decision:

Does this decision have long-lasting consequences? Choosing a career path is a strategic decision while picking a movie for tonight is a routine one.
Does this decision require considerable resource allocation? Investing in a new business venture requires careful strategic planning while choosing what to wear for work is a routine decision.

When you understand the distinction between routine and strategic decisions, you can ensure you're devoting the appropriate level of thought and analysis to each situation.

F. Life Choices Where Routine Decisions Make an Impact

We all want a life where our mornings flow smoothly, days are productive, and evenings are filled with relaxation instead of decision fatigue. These are the benefits of developing the skill of routine decision-making!

Here are some key areas where you can leverage routine decisions to create a smoother and less stressful life:

I. Streamlining Daily Chores

Planning your day and sticking to your timelines and tasks go a long way in developing a stable routine and removing chaos from your choices. Here are a few tips to ensure your day’s routine is efficient:

Develop a consistent schedule: Establish a set schedule for common tasks like morning prep, grocery shopping, or evening chores. This reduces the need for daily deliberation and frees up mental space for more creative endeavors.
Utilize decision-making frameworks: For slightly complex routine decisions (e.g., choosing what to wear for an unexpected meeting), employ simple frameworks like a pro-con list or a quick cost-benefit analysis. This provides a structured approach without getting bogged down in overthinking.

II. Building Healthy Habits

Turn healthy choices into routine decisions: Want to incorporate exercise into your daily life? Pack your gym bag the night before, making it the default option in the morning. Similarly, plan healthy snacks and meals to avoid unhealthy impulse decisions when hunger strikes.

Training your brain by creating a set routine and removing temptations like not buying junk foods or chocolates, or putting them under lock and key, can create an environment that promotes healthy habits. Thus, encouraging you to be more proactive and making choices easier for you.

III. Boosting Productivity

Procrastination and laziness are something we face daily. Like spending a little bit more time sleeping or scrolling through social media. However, all those 5 to 10 minutes add up to hours of wasted time.

Here’s how you can boost productivity to elevate your daily decision making routine:

Batch similar tasks together. Minimize decision fatigue by grouping similar tasks. Dedicate specific times for checking emails, making phone calls, or processing paperwork. This reduces the mental strain of context-switching between different tasks.

Utilize templates and pre-written responses. For frequently used emails, create templates or pre-written responses you can personalize quickly. This saves time and ensures consistency in your communication.
Prepare a meal plan, prep the ingredients, and label them. This eliminates the time spent on deciding what to prepare and looking for ingredients, eventually doing more than half the work and finding out you’re missing an essential component.

Incorporating these strategies to transform routine decisions from energy drainers to powerful tools for streamlining your life. Mastering routine decisions isn't about becoming robotic; it's about creating structure and freeing up mental space for the more important things.

G. Decyz POV on Routine Decisions

Life is full of loopholes and curve balls, throwing you off course when you’ve planned one thing and ended up doing another. Think of all the wasted time and effort when you change direction.

Learning how to make routine decisions efficiently can make daily challenges easier, opening a world of possibilities for you like missed opportunities and improved clarity.

Advantages Of Automating Routine Decisions

Here are some advantages of how automating and conquering routine decisions can help you:

Devote your mental energy to the tasks and relationships that truly matter.
Free yourself from the constant barrage of trivial choices.
Clear your mind, creating the space to tap into your creativity and tackle new challenges.
Decision fatigue is a major contributor to stress. When you’re less tired of the constant stream of choices, you free yourself from unnecessary mental strain.

Mastering routine decisions empowers us to become the architects of our own lives. As motivational speaker Sarah Jones eloquently states: "Small decisions, consistently made, pave the way for a life of purpose and achievement."

So, the next time you find yourself staring into your closet or fridge overwhelmed by options, remember the power of autopilot. Embrace routine decisions, streamline your day, and take control of your path to a more fulfilling and productive life.

Are you ready to unlock the power of routine decisions? Take a moment to reflect on your daily routines. Identify areas where you can leverage routine decision-making.

Start small, perhaps by establishing a consistent morning schedule or creating a template for frequently used emails. Every step you take towards mastering routine decisions is a step towards a smoother, more fulfilling life.