Taking a Decision Break…

 

Some time ago, I wrote about decision fatigue - that invisible drain that happens when we are constantly making choices, both big and small. At that time, I briefly mentioned something I called a decision break. But what is that, really?

While the term can have other meanings, here I’m focusing on pausing in the middle of a decision process. Why does it matter?

We all know that some decisions are quick and almost automatic, while others take a lot of thought. When a decision process drags on, it doesn’t just consume time - it consumes energy. The more we think, compare, evaluate and second-guess, the more exhausted we become.

And what happens when we’re exhausted? We become more likely to choose the easiest or more convenient option. instead of the right one. In other words, a decision fatigue pushes us toward bad choices - not because we would not know better, but because we were too tired to follow through. That is the point in which a decision break comes in.

Stop, rest and then decide… It means giving yourself permission to step away from the process before finalizing, rather than forcing an answer.

By taking a decision break, you allow your mind to recharge by using many methods and tactics, such as:

• Sleeping on it before replying.
• Taking a walk instead of staring at the options again and again.
• Shifting focus to something completely different, so the brain can “breathe”.
• Talking to a different person, hopefully someone who is not involved in the decision process.
• Read and write, reflecting on life, being…

The effect is almost magical as what felt tangled suddenly looks clearer and that impossible decision is now manageable.

A break doesn’t just save energy; it restores perspective. When you pause, your subconscious keeps working in the background, integrating information without the stress of constant analysis. That’s why sometimes, after a break, the answer “just comes”.

I would like to suggest you a small practice for your next decision:

1. Pause. It can be calling a good friend, taking a coffee break or meditate. The longer the pause (without compromising the process you are), more relaxed you will become and fatigue will be prevented.
2. Step away - physically or mentally. Close the computer for one hour, go for a walk alone or with someone who is not going to talk to you about the process itself. If it is possible, disconnect yourself and enjoy a bit of tech detox.
3. Come back with fresh energy. Now, don’t stop there… a decision break will be valid only when you go back with a fresh perspective. Maybe it is not going to reinvent the wheel, but it will certainly show an unexplored path.

This can make the difference between a rushed choice and a wise one. So, if you ever find yourself in the middle of an endless decision process, a tiring debate or a heating argument, remember: maybe what you need is not more thinking or more talking, but a very good decision break.

The question of decision fatigue

 

A few years ago, a friend of mine went to buy a deodorant. I was with him, but I stayed at the entrance of the supermarket with the person who was hosting us. After twenty minutes, she started to get worried - how long could it take to choose one deodorant? I went to check, and there he was, staring at a small shelf with only a handful of options… Twenty minutes, and still no decision.

Now imagine someone like him, but at the end of a long, exhausting day. They still need to call three people, buy a gift, fill out a work form and complete travel paperwork. Each small choice adds up until the brain feels like it’s running on fumes.

An official report drew my attention: When Good People Make Bad Decisions. Of course, anyone can make a mistake because of ignorance, poor planning or pressure, but sometimes, even very good and competent people make bad decisions due to another factor: decision fatigue.

People who are smart, trained, capable and kind mess up because of being worn out from choosing and deciding, again and again.

This is what psychologists call decision fatigue. As psychotherapist Natacha Duke explains, it isn’t a medical condition but a very real phenomenon: the more decisions you make throughout the day, the more mentally, emotionally and physically drained you become. Decisions are made by the intellect or buddhi (Sanskrit), which is your executive functioning - the part of you that decides, plans and prioritizes. It starts to falter and when that slips, so does a good decision.

That’s why firefighters, pilots and doctors often rely on protocols and checklists, which reduce unnecessary decisions and the energy is saved to be used for the critical ones. Maybe you can create protocols for your own life, suited to your needs, or simply start building habits, simplifying routines and taking “decision breaks” (a period of reflection, disconnecting from demanding circumstances, meditation). It will make a big difference.

And maybe, there’s also a more spiritual side to this. Not every decision has to be wrestled with logic. Some choices get lighter when we pause, breathe, meditate and connect with a deeper sense of clarity. Better decisions come from a calmer place.

So, the next time you’re standing in front of a shelf - whether of deodorants or crucial life choices - remember: sometimes the smartest move is to step back, clear your mind and only then, make a good decision.

How to make decisions during uncertain times

 

Uncertainty makes your road foggy. When the world seems unstable, every option comes with a question mark, a doubt, a… something is wrong… It is as if you are driving, you look ahead, but the road keeps shifting.

No choice feels completely right. I know, it’s easy to freeze and to overthink, imagining every worst-case scenario as the only possibility. But here’s the thing - not deciding is also a decision and often, it’s the one that costs the most…

• So, start by setting clear criteria: What matters most right now? What can you compromise? What is non-negotiable?
• A few solid guidelines will keep you anchored when emotions try to take over and use logic. Your logic… Check the facts, weigh the risks, compare options… But don’t let analysis become a cage; analyze and move forward with the decision.
• And be careful with another potential prison… Your past experiences are useful - they’ve shaped your instincts, after all, and you have been able to survive and reach to this point. But remember, the past is a reference; don’t reject a new path just because it doesn’t look like the old one.
• Be a visionary: imagine where you want to be, beyond where you are. At the same time, be practical if things are not going well - a flexible balanced plan is better than a perfect one that will never be brought to reality.
• And here’s a crucial piece for a decision, many people forget: a journey to your inner world. When you connect to yourself, decisions stop feeling like a gamble. Your intuition turns into a compass and meditation becomes a personal recharger. To make a better decision, trust yourself and just sit quietly, meditate...
• Related to the former point, remember: a clean mind sees more paths than a crowded one and sometimes, the next step reveals itself only in its stillness.

These are uncertain times. Your best decision maybe won’t be the smartest or the safest, so make a decision by aligning mind, heart and soul.

In this way, you will move forward, even when the road is not yet clear.

How long do you take to make a decision?

We live in a very fast world and society, and there is a tendency for decisions to be fast. Very fast.

But how to make a decision in a fast way?

The main factor is not the speed. Here is an example: if you are an expert in cooking and you have almost finished a dish when someone tells you the double of people are coming, what will happen? OK, there will be some suffering internally, but as you are the expert, you will be able to devise a solution for that without worrying too much.

Now, think of the same situation with a non-expert chef, like me… It will be a disaster! Even though I may be faster than the expert…

The first thing we value, in terms of speed, is the expertise as that will make decisions faster or slower.

And yet, it is not enough. A comparison can be made between making a decision in certain areas of life and chess, as in both there are many factors influencing the final outcome. Of course, expertise will count as important, but what if the other person – or the various situations – is/are also expert(s)?

First of all, refine your expertise as it is something visible. It means training and talking with other people who are experts.

A second thing to speed decisions up is to understand your opponents. Don’t hate them, try to avoid all kinds of emotions at least for some time, even 5 minutes will be helpful, and then, within that time, reflect upon the problems you are facing.

As you can see, a fast decision will take longer than you think… There is a third tip that may help.

Along with understanding, use your discernment power. It means to make the decision first in your own mind or even in a closed scenario like a group of friends: visualize your different responses and the many outcomes that can come along with each possible decision. If you do that as a meditation experiment, it will be even more effective.

After the discernment process, you can implement whatever scenario you realized was the right decision for that moment. It will give the decision more power and probably it will be easier to make it. In other words, it will be faster.

Now it is your turn to make a decision…

Fast.