Hi Reader,

Welcome to another edition of "I Can't Decide What The Subject of This Newsletter Should Be." Speaking of decisions, did you know we make about 35,000 of them daily? That's more choices than gold medals in Simon Biles’ trophy case!

But fear not because this week, we're diving into the world of decision fatigue and how to conquer it. We'll also explore the art of finding a mentor—because sometimes the best decision is letting someone else make decisions for you. (Just kidding, sort of.)

Now, enjoy this week’s edition of The Murmuration!

Each week, we share an applied tip or did-you-know to help you build knowledge and hone essential skills that help you kick butt at work and in life.

Overcoming Decision Fatigue

Sometimes, after a long day, my partner will ask me what I want for dinner, and I would rather burn the house down than make that decision. When you’re making 35,000 decisions a day, even something as simple as choosing dinner can be challenging. Decision fatigue impacts us all, and as a leader, it can significantly affect productivity and effectiveness. Let’s talk about what it is, how it affects us, and strategies for overcoming it.

What is Decision Fatigue?

Decision fatigue is the mental exhaustion that results from the sheer number of decisions we make daily. From trivial choices like what to wear to critical business decisions, our brains can only handle so much. Research shows that our decision-making ability deteriorates after making numerous decisions, leading to safer or more impulsive choices or even decision paralysis.

​One study found that patients who saw surgeons toward the end of the surgeon’s work shift were less likely to be scheduled for an operation—a decision that could have significant implications for the patient’s outcomes. Another found that judges are less likely to grant parole later in the day. When we're battling decision fatigue, we are more likely to default to the easiest—but not necessarily the best—option.

That’s why it’s critical to identify and counteract it.

Identifying Decision Fatigue

Recognizing decision fatigue is the first step toward managing it. Common signs include procrastination, feeling overwhelmed, and making impulsive decisions. If you notice that you’re struggling to make choices you usually find easy, it might be time to take a step back.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you often feel mentally drained by the end of the day?
• Are you procrastinating more than usual?
• Do you make snap decisions just to get things over with?
• Have you felt overwhelmed by choices, even small ones?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you might be experiencing decision fatigue.

Strategies for Overcoming Decision Fatigue

Recognizing decision fatigue is the first step, but knowing how to combat it is essential for maintaining effectiveness. Here are some practical strategies to help you overcome decision fatigue and make smarter choices:

Prioritize

Not all decisions are created equal. Focusing on the most critical decisions conserves mental energy. A classic example is President Obama, who famously only wore blue or gray suits during his presidency to reduce the number of decisions he had to make daily. This strategy helped him conserve his stamina for more significant decisions.

Don’t know how to start? Use the Eisenhower Matrix to help categorize decisions by urgency and importance.

Delegate

Effective leaders know the power of delegation. By entrusting your team with decisions, you reduce your cognitive load and empower them. Ask yourself: What tasks am I uniquely qualified for? What work is worth my “hourly rate?” Focus on that and delegate the rest.

​When delegating, be clear on expectations. Spend extra time in the hand-off to ensure everyone is on the same page. Communicate the goal and intended outcome, but resist mandating a specific process. Trust your team and avoid micromanaging.

Create Routines

Routines can significantly reduce the number of decisions you need to make daily. By automating mundane choices—like planning your meals for the week, time-blocking your calendar, or sticking to a consistent morning routine—you save your mental energy for more important decisions.

Just understand that developing (and sticking to) habits and routines can take time and be an energy expender in and of itself. Get clear on your internal motivation, set the bar at a reasonable height to begin, and adjust as needed.

Use a Decision-making Framework

Using structured frameworks can make complex decisions more manageable and offer a clear path forward. Sometimes, big decisions can feel like a swirling mess in your head, especially after making 34,999 other decisions. But frameworks like pros and cons lists, decision trees, or weighted decision matrices simplify the decision-making process by breaking it down into manageable steps.

Engage in Self-care

Taking care of your mental health is crucial in maintaining decision-making capacity. Regular breaks throughout the day prevent burnout and keep your mind fresh, allowing you to return to tasks with renewed focus. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises, help reduce stress and improve concentration, making it easier to handle decision-making pressures. Physical exercise, whether it's a quick walk around the block or a session at the gym, boosts endorphins and enhances cognitive function, providing a mental reset. Additionally, ensuring adequate sleep and a balanced diet supports overall brain health, enabling you to tackle decisions with clarity and confidence. By prioritizing self-care, you can sustain your decision-making abilities and maintain a high level of performance in your leadership role.

Create a Decision-friendly Culture

Creating a supportive organizational culture can significantly mitigate decision fatigue for everyone involved and there are plenty of ways to support decision-making with team-wide practices and policies. For example, implementing flexible work hours can help reduce stress by allowing employees to work when they feel most productive. Creating open communication channels enables team members to share decision-making burdens, ensuring that no single person is overwhelmed. You might even introduce decision-free days to provide a much-needed mental recharge, giving employees the space to focus on fun, easy, or less critical tasks—whatever reduces the decision-making load!

A Final Thought

Mastering the art of decision-making isn't just about productivity—it's about reclaiming your mental bandwidth and enhancing your leadership capacity. As you implement these strategies, you'll likely notice a ripple effect. Your improved decision-making will influence your team's performance, fostering a culture of thoughtful choices and strategic thinking. The goal isn't necessarily to eliminate all decision-making stress—some tension is natural and even beneficial in leadership roles. Instead, aim to create a sustainable approach that allows you to navigate complex choices with clarity and confidence.

And simple ones without burning the house down.

Each week, we touch on an aspect of happiness and health at work, how to build it, and how to drive positive change in the workplace.

Mentorship Matters

Mentorship can profoundly impact our careers, boosting both job performance and happiness at work. According to a study by CNBC and SurveyMonkey, 9 out of 10 employees with a mentor report being happy in their jobs. Mentorship accelerates learning, builds confidence, and clarifies career paths—all contributing to workplace wellbeing. So, here's how to find a mentor and make the most of the relationship:

Finding a Mentor

Before going out and knocking on doors, take time to clarify your goals:

• What do you want to achieve in the short-term and long term?
• How might a mentor help you reach these goals?
• What kind of a mentor can help you reach these goals?

Your goals might range from improving specific skills to enhancing work-life balance. Whatever the case, getting clarity on the details will help you identify suitable mentors and pitch them effectively when the opportunity arises.

​Networking can be one of the best ways to find mentors. Try the following:

• Attend industry conferences and events
• Join professional associations and online communities
• Engage on platforms like LinkedIn, following and interacting with industry leaders
• Leverage existing contacts, including your manager, for recommendations

Once you’ve found a candidate, craft a personalized message explaining why you chose them, specifically. Highlight how their expertise aligns with your goals and what you hope to gain from the relationship. And remember that this relationship should not just be about what you can gain, but also what you can offer. It could be introductions, specialized skills, or fresh perspectives from a different generation. If you can’t think of anything to suggest, be sure to ask explicitly.

Being a Good Mentee

To maximize your mentorship, focus on four key areas.

First, practice active listening. Give your mentor your undivided attention during your interactions, ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your engagement, and show that you truly value their time and insights. This approach not only helps you absorb more information but also strengthens your relationship with your mentor.

Next, to the point above, set clear goals for your mentorship. Establish specific, measurable objectives that you aim to achieve through this relationship. Regularly review and adjust these goals to ensure they remain relevant and challenging as you progress. This clarity helps both you and your mentor track your development and focus your efforts effectively.

​Taking initiative is crucial in a mentorship. Don't wait for your mentor to drive the relationship. Instead, proactively schedule meetings, come prepared with discussion topics, and actively seek feedback on your work and progress. This proactive approach demonstrates your dedication to your own growth and makes the most of your mentor's valuable time and expertise.

Lastly, always express gratitude for your mentor's guidance. Regularly thank them for their time and insights, and share specific examples of how you've applied their advice in your work or life. Take time to reflect on your progress and discuss future directions with your mentor. This not only shows your appreciation but also helps your mentor understand the impact of their guidance, making the relationship more rewarding for both parties.

Cultivating a Lasting Impact

A successful mentorship extends beyond individual growth—it creates ripples of positive change (I’m into ripples today). As you benefit from your mentor's guidance, consider how you can pay it forward. Share your newfound knowledge with colleagues, offer support to junior team members, or even become a mentor yourself when ready. This cycle of learning and teaching not only enhances your professional life but also contributes to happier, healthier workplaces overall.

Each week, we collect a few great reads from a variety of disciplines to help you forge new connections and gain fresh perspectives.

• ​Why “Wisdom Work” is the New “Knowledge Work” (HBR). The importance of leveraging intergenerational wisdom in the workplace and how to foster wisdom-sharing between older and younger employees in an era where digital intelligence and artificial intelligence are increasingly valued.
• ​The one factor leaders overlook when they focus on KPIs to measure success (Fast Company). Leaders who focus on Key Behavioral Indicators (KBIs) alongside traditional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are better equipped to navigate critical turning points and achieve successful outcomes.
• ​See Why Everyone Gets the Monty Hall Puzzle Wrong (Scientific American). How to finally wrap your mind around the uniquely counterintuitive Monty Hall dilemma.
• ​Why Leaders Shouldn’t Make Friends At Work, Least Of All With AI (Forbes). Don’t confuse the easy validation of AI with genuine human connections.
• ​Degrowth can work – here’s how science can help (Nature). A friend of mine introduced me to degrowth economics recently (thanks, bud!). Would love to hear your thoughts!

Each week, we highlight some of the great things going on across the Starling community. Members can click on any of the links below to explore further.

• On Tuesday, Christine and Andrea discussed setting boundaries and learning to say "no." Some creative boundary-setting techniques included leveraging a Google Voice number to keep business calls and texts separate from personal ones and ruthlessly "assessing the ask" to make sure requests align with job priorities.
• On Thursday, Starling hosted author and professor Brad Stulberg for a fireside chat to discuss his new book, Master of Change. Head over to Rachel's LinkedIn for some of her takeaways from the conversation!

Given that you made it this far, we felt you ought to be rewarded with one of Jeff’s Famous Dad Jokes:

Rachel & The Starling Team