Decision Fatigue - A Pervasive Malaise

Have you ever looked back on a decision and wondered: "What on earth was I thinking?"  I certainly have.

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.