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Leading a business can be exhausting, but part of being a leader is showing up and giving your all each day, even when things aren’t going how you planned. Finding ways to increase your efficiency without creating more mental work for yourself can be a helpful way of lessening the mental strain that comes with being the boss.
When it comes to decision fatigue, for example, there are specific strategies you can use to ensure you never cross that line of exhaustion, even on a busy day. Below, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council share some of those strategies, elaborating on how they go about making good decisions as leaders while protecting their mental well-being at the same time.
Tackle the Hard Choices Early in the Day
Get enough sleep. That may be eight hours or it could be four — whatever your body needs. Schedule the hard meetings early in the day when you are fresh, saving the easy ones for later in the day. Make your decisions before lunch. – Jeffrey Marks, Plucky
Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Well-Being First
I put myself first every day. I journal, and then I run. That way, no matter what happens during the workday, I’ve already taken care of myself and can now give my all. It feels great to be able to relax after work knowing I’ve already done the difficult things to take care of my physical and mental well-being earlier in the day! – Victoria Chynoweth
Consider All the Alternatives and Remove Emotion
I give myself time to take the emotion out of the situation and make the best possible decision for the good of the company, our employees and our customers. Reactivity can be dangerous, so taking the requisite time to consider alternatives and make a measured decision will more than likely put you in a good position without stressing you out too much or overtaxing your energy stores. – Dan Giuliani, Volt Athletics
Surround Yourself With a Network of Trusted Allies
The best leaders I know surround themselves with trusted allies for support, idea-sharing, expertise and insights when making significant business decisions. Developing a personal and professional network of people you trust, respect and depend on to provide open and honest feedback plays such an important role in avoiding decision fatigue while also boosting your knowledge. – Darren Weiss, Verano
The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?
Pause Before Pouncing
Be slow to grow. Pause before pouncing. Like “regenerative braking” systems in hybrid cars that collect energy from the momentum of slowing down to be used at a later date, we can apply this principle (pausing before pouncing) to our management behaviors. Taking timeouts, pauses and breaks for slow thinking is critical for fast thinking (and fast decision-making). – Sarah DaVanzo, Pierre Fabre
Leverage Structured Decision-Making Frameworks
To reduce mental exhaustion, I utilize structured decision-making frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix, categorizing tasks by urgency and importance. This helps me prioritize effectively and delegate noncritical tasks. By focusing energy on what truly matters and empowering my team with clearer responsibilities, I maintain strategic focus. – Matthew Miller, Orlando Informer
Use Your Brand’s Key Attributes as a Filter
Making good decisions can be easier when you apply your brand’s key attributes as a filter. This provides a framework to assess the validity of any decision in the context of your larger strategy. It will help alleviate the pressure on you as a leader and give you more head space to focus on your company’s next big idea. – Michael Klein, cannabisMD
Step Away From the Problem and Take a Break
Stay fit, eat well and take mental breaks. It’s easy to catastrophize a problem. I get away from my computer, take a deep breath and go for a short walk. Have you noticed how in the shower you come up with ideas? Same principle. Since people are typically involved, be open-minded and try to see the situation from their point of view. And don’t work all weekend! We all need a break. – Michael Newman, The Bureau of Small Projects
Delegate Tasks to Find More Focus
One effective strategy for making good decisions as a leader with less mental exhaustion is to prioritize and delegate tasks. This approach focuses on you making the critical decisions while empowering team members to handle others. It reduces the decision-making load, creates trust and leverages diverse perspectives, leading to better outcomes with less personal strain. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
Differentiate Between Important and Urgent
Many decisions are important, but few are urgent. Intentionally give yourself time and space to consider the important decisions in a deliberate way before moving forward. Rushed decisions are risky decisions. A bit of extra thought and consideration will usually lead to better decisions and to holding greater confidence in them, which is key. – Jed Brewer, Good Loud Media
