Ever spent hours agonising over whether to take on a new client—only to feel totally drained before you’ve even responded to their enquiry? That’s decision fatigue creeping in. And for creative entrepreneurs trying to juggle a million moving parts, it’s more than frustrating—it’s a clear path to burnout.
Decision fatigue happens when your brain gets overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices you have to make in a day. From big-picture strategic thinking to tiny design tweaks, every decision drains your mental energy. Come 3pm, you’re mentally drained, struggling to focus, and wondering where your energy—and motivation—disappeared to.
In this How-To Guide, you’ll learn how to spot decision fatigue, why it’s especially fierce for creative entrepreneurs, and what you can do to reduce its impact—so you can get back to doing your best work. But first…
What is decision fatigue?
Decision fatigue is the mental exhaustion that builds up after making too many choices. It’s not about being indecisive—it’s about being over-decisive. Every ‘yes’ or ‘no’, every ‘this or that’, chips away at your cognitive resources.
Of course, for creative entrepreneurs, the decisions never stop:
- Which project or client should you prioritise?
- What should you post on Instagram today?
- Should you launch now or wait?
- Is this shade of blue too blue?
Unlike routine jobs with clear boundaries and structure, running your own creative business is full of ambiguity and options. That’s why decision fatigue can hit harder—and faster. Let’s now examine how to identify decision fatigue and what to do to get your brain functioning at its best again.
1. Spot the signs (before burnout hits)
Not sure if you’re dealing with decision fatigue? It often manifests in subtle yet frustrating ways—such as procrastinating over simple tasks, feeling unusually irritable, or struggling to focus. You might find yourself making impulsive choices (like buying a new laptop case you don’t really need) or avoiding decisions altogether. These are all signs that your mental energy is running low. If you’re always second-guessing yourself or feel like your brain is ‘full,’ it’s time to take action.
2. Reduce the amount of daily decisions you make
The fewer decisions you make, the more energy you’ll have for the ones that matter. Try these strategies:
- Create routines: set a structure for your day—when you’ll wake up and start work, what time you’ll eat lunch, when you’ll check emails, and so on. Fewer choices and more predictability mean greater clarity and less mental clutter.
- Batch similar tasks: group emails, admin, or content creation into focused sessions so your brain isn’t constantly switching gears.
- Use templates: for proposals, social posts, client onboarding—anything you find yourself doing repeatedly. Templates save time and reduce decision fatigue.
- Pre-decide the low-stakes stuff: what you’ll wear tomorrow, what you’ll eat for lunch, even your go-to coffee order. These tiny decisions add up more than you think.
Routines shape your day, while pre-decisions take care of the little things that quietly drain your energy. Together, they free up space for the creative thinking that really matters. Think of it like clearing clutter from your (mental) workspace. The fewer distractions and decisions you have to make just to get started, the easier it is to focus and get into flow.
3. Set boundaries around decision-making
Here’s an epiphany: not every decision needs to be made today—or made by you. Time-box your decisions—give yourself 15 minutes to decide, then move on, even if the choice isn’t final.
Ask yourself, “Can I delegate this?” Perhaps someone else can choose the font, the meeting venue, or review the first draft of the proposal, freeing you up to make decisions that definitely require your input. Limiting your options helps too: don’t review 20 logo concepts—narrow it down to three strong contenders.
Boundaries protect your brainpower. Use them generously.
4. Prioritise rest and recovery
Decision fatigue isn’t just a productivity issue—it’s a wellbeing one. Your brain needs breaks to reset. So:
- Take actual breaks: step away from screens. Go outside. Move your body.
- Sleep like it’s your job: because sleep restores decision-making capacity.
- Do something playful and enjoyable: paint, dance, doodle—without a goal or outcome.
Think of it like this: rest isn’t a reward for completing your to-do list. It’s fuel for making better, properly considered decisions tomorrow.
5. Build a decision-making toolkit
Make life easier by building in decision-making shortcuts that do the heavy lifting for you. Start with simple filters—ask yourself, “Does this align with my goals, values, or vision?” to instantly cut through the noise. Create checklists for anything you do regularly, like launching a product, onboarding a client, or planning content, so you’re not starting from scratch every time. And set default preferences for your go-to tools, platforms, and workflows. When you systemise the small stuff, you free up brainpower for the big, creative decisions that really move the needle.
6. Know when to pause
Sometimes, the best decision is not to decide—yet. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, permit yourself to pause. Sleep on it. Talk it out. Come back with fresh eyes. Clarity often emerges when you stop forcing it.
Decision fatigue doesn’t mean you’re failing
In fact, when you’re busy running your own business, it’s normal. It just means you’re human—and probably doing too much. The good news? You can design your day, your business, and your brain space to work with you, not against you.
Why not start by choosing just one strategy from this guide—like batching your creative tasks or setting a decision-making filter—and try it out this week? Pay attention to how it affects your focus, energy, and sense of control. If you feel even a little less overwhelmed, you’re on the right track—build from there.
Wondering what to read next? Check out our productivity special: six brilliant task management tools for creative entrepreneurs.
And if you haven’t yet, grab your copy of The Creative Entrepreneur—it’s packed with practical tools to help your creative business thrive by learning from some of the biggest icons in the creative industries.