決策疲勞：為什麼小選擇會消耗你的精力
Decision Fatigue: Why Small Choices Drain Your Energy
難度：中階
來源：Editorial
Decision fatigue happens when you make too many choices in a day, even small ones. Your brain gets tired, and later decisions become harder or less thoughtful. This is why you might feel drained after picking what to wear, what to eat, and what to work on. The solution is to reduce unnecessary choices.
決策疲勞發生在你一天做了太多選擇的時候，哪怕是很小的選擇。大腦會累，後面的決定會變得更難，或者更不經過思考。這就是為什麼選穿什麼、吃什麼、做什麼工作之後，你可能會覺得精疲力盡。解決辦法是減少不必要的選擇。
One effective strategy is to create routines for repeated decisions. For example, eat the same breakfast most days, or wear a simple "uniform" for work. This saves mental energy for choices that actually matter. Many successful people use this approach to stay focused on important decisions.
一個有效策略是為重複的決定建立固定流程。比如，大部分日子吃同樣的早餐，或者上班穿簡單的“制服”。這樣能把腦力省下來給真正重要的選擇。很多成功的人用這個方法，把注意力集中在重要決定上。
Another tip is to batch similar decisions together. Instead of deciding what to do every hour, plan your day in the morning. Group small tasks, like replying to emails or making calls, into one time block. This reduces the number of times you switch between deciding and doing.
另一個技巧是把相似的決定打包處理。別每小時都決定要做什麼，早上就把一天規劃好。把小任務（比如回郵件或打電話）歸到一個時間段。這樣能減少你在“做決定”和“執行”之間切換的次數。
You can also set limits to avoid overthinking. Give yourself a time limit for small choices, like five minutes to pick a restaurant. For bigger decisions, set a deadline and stick to it. Perfectionism often leads to decision fatigue, because you keep reconsidering instead of moving forward.
你也可以設限，避免過度思考。給小選擇設個時間限制，比如5分鐘選餐廳。大決定設個截止時間並堅持。完美主義經常導致決策疲勞，因為你總在重新考慮，而不是往前推進。
Finally, recognize when you are too tired to decide well. On those days, defer non-urgent choices to the next day, or ask someone you trust for input. Your future self will thank you for preserving energy. By managing decision fatigue, you keep your best thinking for what truly matters.
最後，要能識別出“你太累了，做不好決定”的時候。這種日子，把不緊急的選擇推到第二天，或者找信任的人給建議。未來的你會感謝你儲存了精力。透過管理決策疲勞，你才能把最好的思考留給真正重要的事。
重點詞彙
- decision fatigue (n.phr.)：決策疲勞
- drain your energy (phr.)：消耗你的精力
- less thoughtful (adj.)：不夠深思熟慮的
- create routines (phr.)：建立固定流程/習慣
- mental energy (n.phr.)：腦力，精神能量
- stay focused on (phr.)：保持專注在……
- batch (v.)：打包處理，批次處理
- time block (n.phr.)：時間段，時間塊
- switch between (phr.v.)：在……之間切換
- overthinking (n.)：過度思考
- time limit (n.phr.)：時間限制
- perfectionism (n.)：完美主義
- defer (v.)：推遲，延期
- preserve energy (phr.)：儲存精力
- what truly matters (phr.)：真正重要的事