My husband came across a very interesting article this week in The New York Times Magazine which might help explain some of these lapses in judgement: Do you suffer from decision fatigue?
 |
| Image from the NYT Magazine |
I found it very interesting and it is well worth a read. I plan to keep this in mind when in situations that demand decisions. Hopefully it will result in less retrospectascope regret.
It reminds me how important it is to take a 5 minute break and have a snack at work. I now have a name for that sluggish, frustrated feeling I can get mid afternoon on a busy day! I will tell the receptionists at work: "No more squeeze-ins please. I am suffering from decision fatigue."
I learned early on in my career that it is good medical practice for me to keep a piece of fruit, muesli bar or sandwich handy (or even chocolate!). But I sometimes feel guilty snatching a quick cup of tea between patients. This article reminds me how important this really is. Keeping a patient waiting for another 5 minutes may inconvenience them. But trying to provide a consultation when suffering from decision fatigue will result in me not being able to give that person a good quality consultation and may result in much more than inconvenience.
Next time you are faced with a situation where you are required to make a lot of decisions - beware decision fatigue! Allow yourself to take a break, fix your blood glucose levels if necessary, and avoid making a decision you will later regret.
