Ways to Manage Decision Fatigue with Intention

Ministry is filled with meaningful and dedicated work and a constant stream of important decision making. From planning sermons and counseling congregation members to budgeting and logistics, pastors are required to make hundreds of choices every week, while also managing decisions in their personal lives. Research has shown that over time the constant responsibilities that certain types of roles require can lead to “decision fatigue.”

Decision fatigue is a phenomenon (as opposed to a diagnosable medical condition) where the more decisions a person makes over the course of a day, the more likely they are to become physically, mentally and emotionally depleted.1 Many individuals in leadership positions face this issue, as do people who:

Make a lot of decisions every day.
Make choices that greatly impact other people, such as caregivers.
Face a challenging or uncertain life situation.
Are perfectionists.

Decision fatigue may not be dramatic. People may find themselves procrastinating, avoiding decisions or making impulsive low-effort choices. A person is more likely to overspend, make a frivolous purchase, miss a payment deadline or make emotional investment decisions during market fluctuations when they are experiencing decision fatigue. In ministry this phenomenon may manifest in less thoughtful pastoral care and leadership, and losing the spark that originally drove you to your calling or burnout.

Decision fatigue does not indicate weakness or personal failure but reflects the emotional and spiritual weight that adds stress to decision making. Consider the following ways to recognize this feeling and manage it with intentional habits.

Prioritize the most impactful decisions first such as budget reviews or sermon preparation.
Develop a daily or weekly routine with standardized meeting or activity times. Choose a day of the week to plan out sermons for the week or to manage budgeting. Structured habits reduce the number of small decisions you need to make daily. For instance, listening to the same music playlist in the car every day while driving to work or buying the same brand of milk every week decreases the number of choices you need to make on a daily or weekly basis.
Delegate decisions when possible by asking yourself, “Do I need to make this decision, or can someone else make it?” This not only lightens the load but also empowers others and fosters collaboration.
Automate repetitive tasks. For example, create templates for emails and routine announcements to save time and energy. Setting up automatic payments for personal and ministry expenses will also help with meeting deadlines. Automate deposits into your saving account so you don’t have worry about how much money you’re saving every month.
Allow yourself time for rest and renewal. Rest is not laziness; it is essential for effective leadership. Take short breaks after a few hours of work to recharge. You may also want to consider the Pomodoro method, which is a simple time management strategy designed to help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
- With this technique you work in short, focused intervals (about 30 minutes) followed by five-minute breaks. After four such intervals you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes before starting the next four intervals.
Don’t forget to spend time with family, pursuing hobbies or simply unplugging to restore energy and focus.
Make sure to sleep enough. The average person needs seven to eight hours of sleep to function at their best. Lack of sleep can complicate decision making. In addition, choices that don’t need to be made immediately may be easier if you “sleep on them.”
Incorporate stress management techniques into your day. If you’re feeling low on energy or under pressure, consider five minutes of meditation or deep breathing or a 15-minute walk.
Revisit your financial goals yearly and review your financial situation semi-annually or quarterly. This regular schedule reduces daily decision making.
Enlist a certified financial planner to help you make financial choices. Remember, financial planning is available to all MMBB members at no cost as part of your membership.
If decision fatigue becomes an everyday issue for an extended period, it may signal a medical condition. Speak to your health care practitioner to determine if you need mental health or medical services. If you’re an ordained clergyperson who has lost the spark for ministry, are feeling burned out or grappling with life’s challenges, MMBB Cares can help by providing confidential vocational and mental health counseling at no cost. Visit the MMBB Cares website for more information: https://www.mmbb.org/what-we-offer/mmbb-cares

For pastors there can be an unspoken expectation to always be available, wise and helpful. Healthy leadership isn’t about making more decisions; it is about making better ones. By following these practices, you can protect your mental health and lead with purpose.