Decisions, decisions. Making them can be hard, especially at work. And when we’re faced with decision after decision, we can sometimes find ourselves losing steam. As we become increasingly tired, our choices can tend to become more and more questionable. 

It’s a phenomenon known as ’decision fatigue’, and it can happen to anyone. In fact, it’s common in workplaces where we sometimes feel pressured to make a lot of important decisions quickly. 

Rebecca Ann is a leadership expert and founder of The Successful Leaders’ Collective, an exclusive networking and professional development community for high-achieving women. When she faces decision fatigue, she employs a quick five-step method known as the P.A.U.S.E. method. Today, she takes us through how you can try the method for yourself.

What is decision fatigue?

First things first. What exactly is decision fatigue and how do you know if it’s affecting you?

“Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision-making,” Ann tells Stylist. “It occurs when someone becomes mentally exhausted from making a series of choices, especially when those choices are complex or require significant cognitive effort.”

According to Ann, decision fatigue has become a more common problem in the digital age, as we are constantly presented with choices. Everything from which app to open to which TV show to watch to what to make for dinner counts as a decision.

“The choice we have now is vast,” she says. “What gets our attention – more minutes scrolling on social media or switching off and going to sleep? We are constantly being pulled from focus to distraction. And as decision-making consumes mental energy and cognitive resources, just like physical energy, mental energy is finite and so our mental energy is being constantly depleted.”

When you develop decision fatigue, you may find that you feel physically and mentally tired. When more important work-related decisions come your way, you may find yourself struggling to make smart choices.

“Throw into the mix a high-power, high-pressure job and decision fatigue can have more serious consequences in contexts where important or high-stakes decisions need to be made quickly, effectively and efficiently,” she says.

The P.A.U.S.E. method

The P.A.U.S.E. method is a simple five-step technique that can help you reclaim power over your decisions.

“To offset decision fatigue or poor, rushed decision making, I have both implemented the P.A.U.S.E. system and taught it to aspiring leaders,” says Ann.

“We have to reprogramme ourselves as the P.A.U.S.E. system often goes against our natural instinct, which is to move out of uncertainty as that makes us feel unsafe, into certainty. And that is what making a decision is: you are faced with a choice (uncertainty) and need to move to certainty (the decision outcome).”

The P.A.U.S.E. system encourages us to slow down and resist the urge to find certainty immediately.

Pause 

The first step is to literally pause. 

“From my experience, one of the most powerful skills to learn is the confidence to pause,” says Ann. “Some may perceive not having an immediate answer or solution as a sign of weakness. In contrast, it actually conveys confidence in your abilities.”

Take a beat when you’re faced with a decision where you do absolutely nothing – you don’t plan your next move, you don’t worry about the task at hand. You simply sit with it.

“The goal is to engage in a neutral internal decision-making process, responding calmly, with clarity, and careful consideration,” she says.

Acknowledge 

Next, acknowledge your limits, restrictions and issues. Be honest with yourself about the decision at hand and why it might be a difficult one.

“This is often the most challenging aspect for individuals, as it necessitates self-honesty regarding your own limitations, weaknesses, and challenges,” she says. “How might these factors impact the decision-making process? Is it necessary to seek additional insights from a specialist or a colleague?”

Understand 

Take the time to look at the problem before you from a variety of perspectives. This can help you reach a more objective understanding.

“Allocate some time to contemplate the matter from various angles. The list of perspectives might be concise on occasion or more extensive on others,” she says. “Nonetheless, when you deliberate on the matter through the eyes of those impacted by the decision and carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages, it equips you to arrive at more informed, long-term decisions. This approach not only minimises resistance but frequently obviates the necessity for subsequent decisions to rectify the course in the future.”

Share 

Remember, you don’t always have to make every decision on your own. “Others can often see what you can’t or have useful insights,” says Ann.

Before making a final decision, seek input from appropriate team members and colleagues. “There’s always a chance you might have overlooked something,” she says. “Discussing the matter also serves to bring clarity to your thoughts.”

Evaluate 

The final stage before a final decision is to evaluate the potential outcome of the decision.

“The goal isn’t to seek the ideal solution, but rather to grasp the potential risks or obstacles associated with each conceivable outcome or action,” Ann says. “This comprehension empowers you to proactively address or accommodate these factors during the decision-making phase, preventing them from evolving into significant issues in the future.”

She adds, “If time allows, give yourself some time to think it over ‘sleep on it’ before taking action. This allows your thoughts to settle, strengthening your decision-making.”

The technique helps you slow down and take your time with your work decisions. It might even help you in your smaller personal decisions, too. Who knows, ‘pausing’ before your next late-night scrolling session might even help you make a smarter choice.

Images: Getty