Ever feel overwhelmed by choices? You’re not alone. From deciding what to wear to choosing a career path, the average person makes 35,000 decisions every single day. That’s a lot of mental gymnastics—no wonder decision fatigue is real.
But here’s something to reflect on: the leaders we admire, the ones who seem so confident and decisive, don’t have a secret superpower. They’ve simply learned to trust themselves. And here’s the good news: you can too.
This blog post explores why decision-making feels so hard, how to simplify the process, and—most importantly—how to align your choices with your values so that they contribute to your happiness.
Why Do We Struggle to Decide?
It’s no secret that decisions, big or small, can feel like a heavy burden. The fear of making the “wrong” choice, the constant pressure to get it just right, and the sheer number of options we face daily all play a part.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz describes this as the paradox of choice:
Too many options = decision paralysis. Ever spent 20 minutes scrolling Netflix and still not picked something? That’s decision fatigue in action.
Higher expectations = greater disappointment. More choices mean we expect perfection. And when we don’t find it, we feel let down, even when we’ve made a good choice.
Regret and self-blame. If something doesn’t work out, we blame ourselves—because, after all, we had so many options.
Sound familiar? This constant juggling of choices can leave us overwhelmed, anxious, and even stuck. But the good news is, decision-making doesn’t have to feel like this.
Simplifying the Decision-Making Process
The key to becoming a confident decision-maker isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Start with these strategies to make decisions easier, faster, and less stressful:
Reframe the Decision:
Proportional Framing: Break big decisions into smaller, manageable pieces. What are the top three factors that matter most?
Temporal Framing: Ask yourself, how will this choice feel in two weeks, two months, or two years? Shifting your focus to the long-term can calm short-term anxiety.
Emotional Framing: Instead of seeing the decision as a risk, see it as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself or your situation.
Combat Decision Fatigue:
Simplify daily choices with routines: weekly meal plans, go-to outfits, or structured habits.
Prioritise big decisions when you’re mentally fresh—early in the day works best for most people.
Adopt a “good enough” mindset. Not every decision needs to be perfect. Sometimes, good enough is just that—enough.
Align Your Choices with Your Values:Your values are like a compass—they guide you toward decisions that feel right for who you are. Ask yourself:
What are my core values? (e.g., health, creativity, freedom, family).
Does this decision reflect those values?
Which choice feels most aligned with what truly matters to me?
You Have the Power to Decide
It’s easy to look at confident decision-makers and assume they’ve got it all figured out. But the truth is, they’re not always certain either. What sets them apart is their ability to trust themselves and embrace uncertainty as part of the process.
The next time you feel stuck, take a moment to pause. Reframe the decision. Simplify it. Lean into your values. And remember: even the “wrong” choices can lead to growth, learning, and new opportunities.
Want to Go Deeper?
This is just a sneak peek into how we can reframe decision-making to reduce stress and feel more confident. In our How To Be Happier online course, we dive deeper into strategies for simplifying choices, aligning decisions with your values, and navigating life with more clarity and ease.
Ready to learn how to trust yourself, overcome indecision, and find happiness in the choices you make? Join us.
📚 Explore more in our How To Be Happier course—your next step toward a clearer, calmer you.
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