In 2012, President Barack Obama explained in a Vanity Fair interview that he decided to wear the same colored suits (blue or gray) every day before becoming president. Why?
He knew that he needed to have the mental clarity to make very big decisions each day. Eliminating small, less critical questions like selecting his wardrobe each morning was important. Why? It allowed him to direct his limited decision-making energy toward bigger issues. (Lewis, 2012).
And that’s the thing. Big issues are important, but they also tend to come with loads of smaller decisions along with them. How many decisions?
Our brain makes tens of thousands of decisions every day
Every day, small decision-making questions pop up. Lots and lots of them. Each requires us to use varying amounts of brainpower. Decisions such as what email do I respond to first? What shirt do I wear today? What’s for breakfast? Do I bring or buy lunch today?
According to a 2016 Wall Street Journal article, an adult makes an estimated 35,000 decisions per day (Sollisch, 2016). Yet, our brain can only make so many decisions each day before it taps out!
This means that by the time you're on your way home from work and thinking about dinner, your mental capacity to make rational choices is severely depleted from the sheer exhaustion of the day.
Sound about right? You’re not alone.
Decision Fatigue in Real Estate
The idea of buying your first new home, building a new house, selling the one you already own, or investing in property may feel overwhelming. This is true even for realtors when it comes to buying or selling their homes. But, do you know why?
You've been paying attention; if you guessed, it’s because it comes with major decisions and loads of little ones. Go you!
So how can one escape the burnout that comes with real estate decisions on top of daily decisions? Prioritize. Minimize. Simplify.
Minimizing Decision Fatigue.
What can you do to minimize decision fatigue in your daily life?
Make important decisions first. Do the things that are the most difficult for you first. If you have a big project, an important phone call, or any other difficult task that requires you to make important, smart decisions, tackle it before less important tasks.
Take away distractions. We all have things that distract us from what we are supposed to be doing. Maybe it is checking our cell phones, browsing social media, or even watching TV. Removing these distractions from the equation will help clear your mind for the tasks at hand. Give yourself 30 min. Breaks from technology from time to time.
Simplify routine choices. For example, by not having to decide on his outfit every day, Obama was able to keep his mental energy for other things. What routine choices can you simplify to make room for the buying or selling process?
Sound simple? It can be. To do so, however, takes planning.
A prime example is meal planning. Eliminating the tedious decision of what to make for lunch or dinner every day allows you to free your mental clarity for other, more important decisions.
Another great example? Planning your schedule each week. Take an hour or two on a day of your choice and make a game plan for the next week. Write down your schedule, plan your meals, make a to-do list, and preserve your brainpower for more important tasks.
Or you might consider making something a routine by doing it at the same time each day or each week. Do you think about brushing your teeth each night? Probably not. Certainly not every night. It’s simply routine.
Making choices in advance, blocking time for priorities, and introducing routines are great ways to help reduce decision fatigue, especially when your stress levels are about to start operating at new heights.
How about decision fatigue in real estate
The same principle applies. Prioritize. Minimize. Simplify.
Make big decisions first. Sitting down and being honest with yourself, your partner, your family, and your Realtor is critical. Our clients benefit from a proprietary buyer or seller intake. Sometimes both! We ask the tough questions during this intake, get them out of the way, and discuss and understand goals and priorities.
Minimize Distractions. Having too many inputs is rarely a good thing. Think about whose opinions you truly value and what sources you trust completely. Minimize conversations with those outside of that circle. Avoid Googling for solutions and trust the process. We always have our clients' backs and aim to make them feel heard, safe, and informed.
Simplify Routines. What else can you make simple while navigating this complex process in your life? Eliminate other major stressors and postpone other major decisions until you’ve got your keys. You’ll thank us later. Promise. Meanwhile, we’ll be working to make updates regular and decisions easier.
Take a Break!
Rest defeats decision fatigue. Let yourself rest. Going to the gym, going for a walk, taking a nap… whatever you need to do to relax, and give yourself a few moments to rest is vital to making healthy decisions later on (Johnson, 2020).
Relaxation and even active rest can force our brains to slow down, think about something else for a moment, and give ourselves a chance to stop answering so many questions. It’ll make the whole process a lot more enjoyable too!
Finding a home you love is what Team Cool Murphy is here to do; we make it enjoyable too! Working with us means you get a whole team of experienced professionals supporting you through the many decisions that come with buying or selling a property. So make the simplest decision you can make, and reach out to us today!
SOURCES
Johnson, J. (July 6, 2020). Decision fatigue: Effects, causes, signs, and how to Combat it. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/decision-fatigue
Lewis, M. (Sept. 11, 2012). Obama's Way. Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2012/10/michael-lewis-profile-barack-obama
Sollisch, J (2016) The cure for decision fatigue. Wall Street Journal. Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cure-for-decision-fatigue-1465596928
Sara Skjerli is a licensed Realtor in the State of Louisiana and a member of Team Cool Murphy. Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor, Team Cool Murphy is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.
She is passionate about fair housing. Her specialties include negotiations, conflict resolution, and helping buyers of all walks of life find financing solutions to help them live in a home they love. You can learn more about her here.
Cell: (860) 208-0505
Email: sara@coolmurphy.com
Instagram + Facebook: @neurodivergentagent
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