Decision Fatigue: Why Steve Jobs Always Wore the Same Thing
Steve Jobs: Black turtleneck. Mark Zuckerberg: Gray t-shirt. Barack Obama: Only blue or gray suits.
Coincidence? No. These people understood: Every decision costs mental energy. And that energy is limited.
What Is Decision Fatigue?
Decision fatigue describes the phenomenon where the quality of our decisions decreases the more decisions we make.
The Science Behind It
STUDY: JUDGES AND PAROLE
Researchers analyzed 1,100 decisions
by judges on parole applications.
RESULT:
- Morning: 65% parole
- Before lunch: 20% parole
- After lunch break: 65% again
- End of day: Almost 0%
THE JUDGES DIDN'T BECOME MEANER.
They became more tired.
When exhausted, the brain chooses
the safest default: No.
How It Works
YOUR BRAIN HAS A DECISION BUDGET:
Morning: ████████████████████ 100%
Midday: ████████████░░░░░░░░ 60%
Evening: ████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 20%
EACH DECISION COSTS:
- Small decision: █
- Medium decision: ███
- Large decision: ██████
WHEN THE BUDGET IS EMPTY:
→ Worse decisions
→ Or: No decision at all
→ Or: Impulsive decision
Decision Fatigue in Tech Daily Life
Typical Decisions of a Tech Lead
BEFORE 10 AM:
- What do I wear?
- What do I eat for breakfast?
- Which emails do I answer first?
- Which PR do I review first?
- How do I prioritize tickets?
10 AM - 12 PM:
- How do we solve this bug?
- Which meeting is more important?
- Should I interrupt the junior developer?
- How do I phrase this feedback?
12 - 2 PM:
- What do I eat for lunch?
- Do I go with the team or alone?
- Do I answer Slack or eat first?
2 - 6 PM:
- How do I design this architecture?
- Which technology do we choose?
- How do I communicate this to stakeholders?
- Should I cancel this meeting?
- When do I go home?
→ 50+ decisions before the important
architecture decision in the afternoon
The Effects
SYMPTOMS OF DECISION FATIGUE:
1. AVOIDANCE
- Postponing decisions
- "Let's decide next week"
- Ignoring emails
2. IMPULSIVITY
- Quick, thoughtless decisions
- "I don't care, just do it"
- Emotional reactions
3. STATUS QUO
- Sticking with the familiar
- Not risking change
- Choosing defaults
4. QUALITY LOSS
- Weighing fewer options
- Superficial analysis
- Missing important factors
Strategies Against Decision Fatigue
1. Important Decisions Early
RULE:
The most important decision of the day
= first task of the day.
NOT:
9:00 - Emails
10:00 - Meetings
11:00 - Admin
2:00 PM - Architecture decision ← exhausted
BETTER:
9:00 - Architecture decision ← fresh
10:30 - Meetings
12:00 - Emails
2:00 PM - Routine tasks
2. Eliminate Routine Decisions
STRATEGY: SET DEFAULTS
CLOTHING:
- Same outfits (or uniform)
- Capsule wardrobe
- Lay out the night before
FOOD:
- Meal prep
- Same breakfast routine
- Restaurant regular orders
WORK:
- Fixed times for emails
- Standard replies/templates
- Recurring meetings instead of planning each time
3. Batch Decisions
NOT:
Answer each Slack message individually
→ 30 small decisions
BETTER:
All Slack messages 2x per day
→ 2 batched decision sessions
APPLICATIONS:
- Emails: 2-3x daily, not constantly
- Code reviews: Blocked time
- 1:1s: All on the same day
- Admin: One block per week
4. Delegate Decisions
ASK YOURSELF:
Do I have to decide this?
DELEGABLE:
- Technical detail decisions → Team
- Operational decisions → Team
- Reversible decisions → Whoever
NOT DELEGABLE:
- Strategy
- People decisions
- Irreversible decisions with high impact
5. Use Decision Frameworks
INSTEAD OF:
Starting from scratch each time
BETTER:
Frameworks that structure decisions
EXAMPLES:
- [Eisenhower Matrix](/en/blog/prioritaeten-setzen) for prioritization
- RICE Scoring for feature decisions
- Two-Way-Door for reversibility
- Clear criteria for hiring
→ Framework does the work,
not your exhausted brain
6. Prepare Decisions
EVENING PREPARATION:
- Lay out clothes
- Set top 3 for tomorrow
- Check calendar
- Gather decision context
THEN IN THE MORNING:
- Not: "What do I do today?"
- But: Start immediately
7. Energy Management
RECHARGE YOUR DECISION BUDGET:
SLEEP:
- 7-8 hours
- Sleep deprivation = massively less budget
BREAKS:
- Every 90 minutes
- Short breaks help more than expected
NUTRITION:
- Stable blood sugar
- Not: Crash after sugar high
EXERCISE:
- Short walk
- Reset for the brain
Decision Fatigue in the Team
Recognizing It as a Leader
WARNING SIGNS IN THE TEAM:
- Decisions are postponed
- "Let the lead decide"
- Meetings without results
- Always the safe route
- Late decisions are worse
CAUSES:
- Too many decisions on too few people
- No clear decision frameworks
- Everything must be escalated upward
Team Strategies
1. DISTRIBUTE DECISION RIGHTS
- Who decides what?
- Use RAPID model
- Don't escalate everything
2. ESTABLISH DEFAULTS
- Technology standards
- Code style guides
- Process templates
- "Unless stated otherwise, then..."
3. OPTIMIZE MEETINGS
- Decision meetings in the morning
- Clear agenda with decision points
- Preparation beforehand, not in the meeting
4. DECIDE ASYNC
- Not everything needs a meeting
- RFCs for complex decisions
- Give time to think
Meeting Hygiene
BEFORE:
- Clear: What's being decided?
- Options prepared
- Relevant info shared in advance
IN THE MEETING:
- Focus on decision
- Not: Endless discussion
- Timebox
AFTER:
- Decision documented
- Next steps clear
- No re-discussion
The Two-Minute Rule for Decisions
IF A DECISION:
- Takes less than 2 minutes
- Is reversible
- Doesn't strongly affect others
THEN:
→ Decide immediately
→ Don't postpone
→ Don't schedule a meeting for it
POSTPONING SMALL DECISIONS
COSTS MORE ENERGY THAN MAKING THEM.
Decision Fatigue and Remote Work
REMOTE = MORE DECISIONS:
- When do I check Slack?
- Do I respond immediately?
- Camera on or off?
- When do I take a break?
- When is end of work?
IN THE OFFICE:
Many of these decisions are made
by social norms.
REMOTE:
Decide anew each time.
SOLUTION:
Establish your own routines and rituals.
Fixed times, fixed processes.
Practical Checklist
Morning Routine (Decision-Free)
□ Clothes are ready (from last night)
□ Breakfast is standard (no thinking)
□ First task is clear (from yesterday)
□ Emails NOT first thing
□ Most important decision before 11 AM
Evening Routine (Preparation)
□ Set top 3 for tomorrow
□ Lay out clothes
□ Check calendar for tomorrow
□ Note open decisions
□ Get inbox to zero
Weekly Routine
□ Monday: Week planning (schedule important decisions)
□ Decision meetings early in the day
□ Friday: Reflection, prepare next week
□ One day for deep work (fewer decisions)
Conclusion: Fewer Decisions = Better Decisions
Decision fatigue is real and affects everyone. The good news: You can counteract it.
Core Principles:
- Important = Early: Best decisions in the morning
- Eliminate: Automate routine decisions
- Batch: Similar decisions together
- Delegate: Don't decide everything yourself
- Frameworks: Structure instead of thinking from scratch
- Energy: Sleep, breaks, nutrition
Your Challenge for Tomorrow:
Identify the most important decision of the day. Make it your first task. Observe the difference.
Want to learn more about making good decisions? Our guide to Making Decisions shows frameworks for different decision types.
