Decision Fatigue and MFDs (Mostly Fine Decision)

The Coach Is In

Decision fatigue is real, and as parent leaders juggling work, family, and personal lives, we face countless small and big decisions daily.

In this episode, Cat and Irene discuss how reducing choices, embracing "mostly fine" decisions, and delegating responsibility can make decision-making easier and more effective.

Content Highlights

The Burden of Daily Decisions

• The countless decisions parents make every day—from dinner choices to extracurriculars.
• How too many choices can create stress rather than freedom.
• The concept of decision fatigue and how it affects mental energy.

The Paradox of Choice & Analysis Paralysis

• Insights from Barry Schwartz’s book The Paradox of Choice.
• How excessive choices can lead to overthinking and stress.
• "Analysis paralysis" and how it manifests in everyday life.

Normalizing Fewer Choices

• Why limiting choices can actually bring relief.
• Practical parenting examples: picking out clothes, meal options, and bedtime routines.
• Understanding decidophobia and ways to overcome it.

Making Decision-Making Fun & Efficient

• How to gamify decision-making: random selection, coin flips, and delegation.
• The importance of knowing what’s truly important.
• How prioritization can help reduce decision fatigue.

Delegation & Teaching Kids Independence

• How parents can delegate decisions to children without anxiety.
• The long-term benefits of teaching kids to make their own choices.
• Irene and Cat’s personal experiences with their children and decision-making.

Recap & Actionable Takeaways

• Identify low-stakes decisions and simplify them.
• Reduce choices to make decision-making more efficient and fun.
• Embrace "mostly fine" decisions to release the pressure of perfection.
• Start small—experiment with simplifying one area and see how it feels.

Final Thoughts & Calls to Action

• Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
• Decision-making is a skill that can be refined over time.
• Listeners are encouraged to try one simplification method this week.

Follow The Coach Is In on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with a fellow parent leader who needs to hear it. Leave a review and let us know how you manage decision fatigue!