Most of us are surprised to learn we make around 35,000 decisions each day. From what to eat for breakfast to how to respond to an email, these small choices add up, and our brains can start feeling overloaded. One practical way to cut through this mental clutter is by building routines that turn decisions into habits. When your morning ritual is already set, you can reserve precious energy for what really matters.
Here’s how it works: instead of figuring out your breakfast every morning, decide once and standardize it. Maybe you stick to oatmeal with fruit, or you opt for a protein shake you can blend in under a minute. By removing the daily debate—“What do I feel like eating today?”—you save time, reduce stress, and lower the risk of decision fatigue. The same principle applies to your wardrobe or even your work schedule. Minimizing minor choices can give you room to focus on tasks that need genuine creativity or insight.
To take it a step further, think about the “two-minute rule.” If there’s a decision that can be made in under two minutes—like answering a quick email or choosing a meeting time—commit to doing it right away. Letting simple decisions pile up only creates more stress down the line. It’s a small shift, but it can keep your to-do list from becoming unmanageable.
Actionable step: Identify one part of your day where decisions slow you down—maybe it’s lunch, exercise plans, or prioritizing tasks. Decide on a routine you’ll follow for at least a week. Observe how your energy levels and overall productivity change once you’re no longer bogged down by minor, repetitive decisions.
Routines aren’t about giving up spontaneity. They’re about freeing up mental space so that when it’s time to make big choices, you have the clarity and focus you need. The more you automate the routine stuff, the more energy you’ll have for what genuinely matters.
If you want more proven ways to streamline decision-making and stay on track, check out LifeHack All-Access. It’s a deep dive into real-life strategies that help you take on daily challenges with less stress and more confidence.
Here’s to fewer decisions—so you can focus on the ones that truly count.
Leon
Founder & CEO @ LifeHack
