5 Smart Strategies To Boost Your Decision-making
Despite advancements in women’s representation in the workforce, we still face significantly lower promotion rates compared to men, a discrepancy that is particularly pronounced for women of color. Moreover, women often go above and beyond their job roles to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizations, outpacing their male counterparts at the same level. All of this occurs alongside our regular work responsibilities.
In addition to professional duties, women are often burdened with a greater share of domestic tasks compared to men. These dual expectations—excelling in the workplace while managing household responsibilities—have a profound impact on the mental bandwidth of women, especially working mothers.
‘Mental bandwidth’, a concept introduced by Eldar Shafir and Sendhil Mullainathan, refers to an individual’s cognitive capacity for attention and sound decision-making. Scarcity in various aspects of life, including love, food, time, and financial resources, can diminish mental efficiency. For instance, consider a scene from the HBO film “Paycheck to Paycheck” where a single mother of three chooses to forgo a $75 prescription medication but spends $87 on hair services at a salon due to limited mental bandwidth.
The erosion of mental bandwidth leads to decision fatigue, also known as ego depletion, which results in a reduced capacity for making choices. Psychologist Dr. Barry Schwartz, author of “The Paradox of Choice,” notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated decision fatigue by turning previously simple decisions into complex planning exercises.
How can working mothers safeguard mental bandwidth? Here are five smart strategies to combat decision fatigue:
1. Delegate: Build a robust support network of individuals whom you can trust to handle some of the decision-making burdens. This network includes your spouse, family, friends, and colleagues. Enlisting a choice advisor or life coach can also help you clear your mind and alleviate stress.
2. Automate: Implement systems and routines that reduce the need for constant decision-making. Create lists of tasks, plan meals and outfits in advance, automate bill payments, and establish schedules for work, family, and personal development. These measures will help preserve your mental bandwidth.
3. Prioritize Sleep: Sleep plays a crucial role in recharging your energy and enhancing decision-making abilities, as emphasized by psychologist Roy Baumeister, author of “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.”
4. Acknowledge Your Limits: Assess the expectations you’ve set for yourself and differentiate between realistic and unrealistic ones. Remember that not all decisions are irreversible, and it’s acceptable to change plans when you’re dissatisfied with the outcomes. Realize that not being able to do everything simultaneously doesn’t diminish your worth.
5. Monitor Your Emotions: Pay close attention to your emotional state and energy levels. Recognize the signs of decision fatigue and take appropriate action. Sometimes, it’s beneficial to sleep on a decision before making it.
Incorporating these smart strategies into your daily routine can lead to a significant improvement in your decision-making abilities. Remember that optimizing decision-making is an ongoing process, and by consistently applying these techniques, you’ll not only make better choices but also reduce decision fatigue and enhance your overall quality of life.
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This post was originally written in 2021 and published on my former blog at joycetalag.com in May 2022. The current piece had been edited and fixed by ChatGPT. Share your thoughts, comments, and questions to hello@joyfultransformations.org.
