Holiday Decision Fatigue

Ready or not the holiday season is peaking its colorful, sometimes overly decorated, head – all of which I love! This is my favorite season, but that’s not to say it doesn’t come with a price. Both figuratively and literally. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — some of which include, parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining. While ‘tis the season to be merry, it can also be a season for stress and anxiety for some.

This time of year is also known to be the time of year we might resort to bad habits—maybe cave into sugar cravings, go for the booze (who hasn’t heard that story of the employee who had a little too much and the work Christmas party) and overdose on caffeine. How do you resist the specialty coffee drinks that only come out once a year? Personally, I’m a bit of a sucker for ”pumpkin spice and everything nice” coffee creamers...

What is Decision Fatigue

About a year ago, I was listening to a podcast that talked about decision fatigue, and I immediately thought about the holidays. The idea behind it is that every decision made wears on your brain. According to one article published by Forbes.com, when we are at or nearing decision fatigue, our brain kicks in to help us out, and one way is to look for shortcuts. One shortcut is to become reckless - we can begin to act impulsively as we draw down on our decision bank. To sum it up, brain exhaustion kicks in, mental strength runs down, and the quality of our decisions start to deteriorate.

Research shows we have a decision bank of about 200 decisions a day - after which decision fatigue kicks in, and this includes any and all decisions. As Forbes.com puts it “The only way to avoid decision fatigue (and the stress that goes with it) is to simplify the decision process so that it is quick, straightforward, and effective.”

How can I avoid it?

So let’s think about this? Even on the smallest scale, will it make a difference? As I begin to think about the simplest decisions I make in the first 2 hours of my day, I can’t help but wonder, what prep work can I do the night before to preserve my mental strength for the more important decisions I’ll have to make during the day. I could start with simple things like picking out my clothes, pack my lunch, and planning out my day – even if it is a rough plan.

How can banking buy you time?

Have you ever thought about how some bank products could save you time?  First of all, let’s think about all of the decisions, small as they may be, that happens when we add travel to our transactions. Do I go after work, leave early, or maybe on my lunch? The additional decisions that are made when you add logistics to your schedule is interesting. What happens when you take logistics out of your decision?

My first thought is something as simple as Mobile Deposit.  Why run to the bank when you can take a picture of the check and deposit it with your phone?

You could also take advantage of Bill Pay. Some bills have set amounts that can be set up to be automatic every month, so you don’t have to even think about it.

How about ATMs? With my Secure checking account, I have ATM reimbursement fees. If I need cash, I don’t have to look for my bank's nearest ATM - because let’s face it, you are not always near your bank when you need cash.

As a Forreston State Bank employee and marketing professional, I love all of the products and services we have and are continuing to add. However, as a customer, I truly appreciate the extra time these features save me, ultimately, delivering the best banking experience possible for me. We also know that experience is different for everyone. That’s why we offer you the choice of a checking account that fits your style. We believe our customers deserve the best that banking can offer.