Making decisions is hard.
Whether it’s a major life choice or something as simple as picking what to eat for dinner, decision-making can feel like a constant mental battle. Sometimes, deep down, we already know the right choice, yet we spend hours overanalyzing, debating, and second-guessing ourselves.
Why is it so hard to make decisions—even the small ones? The truth is, we all struggle with this. The good news? There are ways to make decision-making easier and less draining.
Over the years, I’ve discovered a few simple strategies that help me cut through the mental noise, make better choices, and stay focused on what truly matters.
Here’s what I’ve learned.
Be Clear About Your Goals
We make life harder than it needs to be by trying to do it all. This lack of focus leaves us unsure of where we’re headed, making decision-making even more difficult.
While our daily choices may seem trivial, over time, they add up and can even compound exponentially. Keeping this principle in mind helps us make better decisions that align with our long-term goals. If we don’t have a clear focus, we risk getting swept up in other people’s plans—people who likely have different goals than we do.
If my goal is to live a healthy lifestyle, I need to make healthy choices most of the time. That seems obvious, but it becomes complicated when conflicting goals arise. If I also want an exciting nightlife that includes staying out late and drinking, I’ll feel conflicted about whether to go out this Friday or not.
Clarifying your priorities allows you to shape your choices in a way that aligns with your goals. You might decide to go out but avoid drinking and be home by midnight. Over time, you may realize that the clubbing lifestyle no longer fits who you are, leading you to naturally step away from it and don’t choose it anymore.
Having a clear vision of where you want to go in life doesn’t just help you make the right choices—it also helps you avoid the wrong ones that pull you away from your goals.
Not Deciding Is Also a Decision
I used to believe that by postponing a decision, I could delay it until I had everything figured out. But in reality, when we don’t actively make a choice, someone else makes it for us.
A great example of this is drifting through life without a clear direction. If you don’t decide where you want to go, you’ll end up following the paths of those around you. The problem? If their goals don’t align with your true desires, you’ll eventually feel frustrated and lost.
Another way decisions get made for us is through default habits. Our brains naturally choose the path of least resistance, which often means sticking with whatever is easiest in the moment.
For example, if I have the choice between going for a walk or curling up on the couch with a blanket and snacks, I’ll likely default to the more comfortable option unless I actively decide otherwise.
Without a defined direction, you’ll end up following a more “balanced” or easygoing lifestyle—which often leans toward short-term pleasure at the cost of long-term progress.
Automate your Decisions
One of the best ways to avoid mental exhaustion from decision-making is to establish non-negotiable habits.
Instead of repeatedly asking yourself, Should I go to the gym tonight?, which drains your mental energy and leaves room for excuses, decide in advance. By making certain actions non-negotiable, you essentially automate your decision-making.
Start by identifying your biggest focus in life, then schedule specific, recurring moments to take the necessary actions. If fitness is your goal, set fixed days and times for your gym sessions. Once these actions become habits, they require no further decision-making—you just do them automatically.
Habits are powerful because they free up mental energy. Decision-making isn’t an unlimited resource; after a certain number of choices, you reach decision fatigue—that moment when even the simplest decision feels impossible to make.
To avoid this, make your most important decisions early in the day, when your mental energy is highest.
Make Important Decisions in the Morning
Start your day with your most important habit, whether that’s walking, writing, or exercising. Immediately after, create your to-do list for the day.
Never start your day by checking the news, emails, or chat messages. These distractions will occupy valuable mental space and make it harder to focus on your priorities. (For more on this, check out my post on how to block out the noise and reclaim your time and energy.)
Decide What You Will NOT Do
Most people focus only on what they need to do, but deciding what not to do is just as important—if not more so.
For example, committing to going to the gym three times a week is great, but it’s equally important to decide that you won’t eat snacks after dinner. True progress happens not just by adding good habits but by eliminating the ones that hold you back.
By removing distractions and unhelpful behaviors, your positive choices become stronger and more effective.