How to Finally Overcome Decision Fatigue
I don’t like having too many choices. I guess I suffer from decision fatigue.
Bruce and I tend to eat at the same 3 or 4 restaurants, and I always order the same thing. When he asks me what I want to watch on TV, I usually let him pick the show.
More than once over the last month, I’ve said, “I can’t think about that now” when my man has asked me to determine our next step.
Right now, I have a huge life decision hanging over my head, and I just want to hide under the covers. I am hoping it will go away. (Maybe Jesus will return and rescue me from all this uncertainty!)
I hate having to choose a path. What if I pick the wrong course of action? What if I go one way, but God wanted me to head in a completely opposite direction?
This is my one life. I don’t get a do-over. I don’t want to mess this up.
So, I do nothing. I sit on the couch and scroll through Facebook instead of figuring out my life.
Is there a cure for this malady? Do you suffer from decision fatigue, too?
Maybe right now you are wondering what your next right step is, but you are paralyzed by anxiety and doubt
because you might get it wrong,
because your choice won’t make everyone happy, and you hate conflict.
because you aren’t sure you have what it takes to move forward.
because you wish you knew the outcome and could foresee all the obstacles.
because you dislike change.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve worked through my fear a bit, and I have picked up a few tips to help me make a wise decision — instead of living consumed by worry. Just in case you are feeling stuck, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned to help you make your own.
5 Tips to Help You Overcome Decision Fatigue
Pray about your priorities
Start by making a list of your roles and responsibilities, and then pray about what your primary priorities should be. Try to narrow down your list to under eight, so you are not focused on too many things. Number these items in order of importance, and use your priorities as a filter whenever you are faced with a decision.
“The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction.” (Proverbs 21:21, TPT)
Put First Things First
God should be number one on your priority list, and His kingdom purposes should color everything you do. Asking yourself how your decision will advance His Divine agenda is the first place to start. Will this decision draw you closer to God? Will this decision help you point other people to God? Is this decision the best use of the spiritual gifts God has given you?
“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matthew 6:33, MSG)
Pull Back from the Noise
Unplugging from social media and quieting your soul will help you better determine your next course of action. Set aside some time in your day to fast and sit in silence before God. Ask Him to speak to you as you read His Word. Make sure you write down anything that stirs your heart in a journal. A few weeks down the road, you may see a pattern emerge from what you have written when you look back at your words.
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast—that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character, Because he trusts and takes refuge in You with hope and confident expectation.” (Isaiah 26:3, AMP)
Purchase this Helpful Resource
I just finished reading a fabulous new book that is like free coaching for those with chronic decision fatigue. The Next Right Thing written by Emily P. Freeman helps you discern what the best course of action is and decide what your first steps should be. If you are trying to figure out “what’s next,” this book is your new best friend.
“If you solicit good advice, then your plans will succeed. So don’t charge into battle without wisdom, for wars are won by skillful strategy.” (Proverbs 20:8, TPT)
Purpose to Stay on Mission
Writing out your passion and praying over it daily will help mobilize you to live on mission for God’s glory with intentional purpose. You will step into your day with greater focus and clarity. Keep in mind how Jesus modeled this for us in the Gospels:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV)
Having a clear focus helps you to say no to shiny things that will distract you from stepping into the supernatural work God wants to do in and through your life. Use your mission statement to help you eliminate diversions that may deter you from heading in the direction God has designed for your life.
Are you ready to create your own mission statement? To help you get started, I’ve created two great resources for you: The “My Mission Statement” worksheet will walk you through the steps to creating a clear focus for your year. Plus, I also provided a list of 10 mission-minded Scriptures for you to print out and pray over this week for inspiration. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
You can push past fear and make prayerful decisions when you have focused your life on God’s priorities. As you start putting feet to your faith, people will begin to notice your commitment to His agenda, and they will ask you to help them learn how to align their own lives to God’s grander purposes. We can partner with God and help other people move forward instead of feeling paralyzed by doubt.
What are you waiting for? God has big plans for you.
Craft a mission statement and start conquering decision fatigue.
Craft a mission statement and start conquering decision fatigue.
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ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO LIVE LIFE BASED ON YOUR VALUES RATHER THAN OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS? I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CLARIFY THE CALLING GOD UNIQUELY CREATED YOU TO FULFILL
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I am starting a podcast this summer. Yay! Each week, I will be interviewing an author and chatting about how we can fuel our faith as we walk through the fire.
As you know, I last year I transitioned out of education into full-time writing and speaking. It’s incredibly rewarding work, but I am currently paying my dues and not making much income at all.
This week, I launched a new community on Patreon so that people could sign up to partner with me to launch this podcast.
There are 3 tiers to sign up for with different perks at each level. It’s a monthly commitment of $5, $10, or $20 to help cover the costs of the blog and podcast. I am sharing it with you — my people who’ve cheered me on and celebrated this new thing God is doing in my life.
I’d love for you to take a peek at my Patreon page and then pray for me. If you can’t sign up to support this project, I totally understand. But, I’d love for you to pray for God’s favor on this podcast and for my book proposal, which will be going to 2 agents this coming week.
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SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.
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