One Decision, Many Wins: Simplify Your Life by Deciding Once

Every day, we make thousands of decisions—what to eat, what to wear, when to tackle a task, how to respond to emails, and even which route to take to work. While some of these choices seem small, the cumulative effect of constantly deciding can be mentally draining. This phenomenon, known as decision fatigue, can leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to focus on what truly matters.

For parents and professionals—especially those with ADHD or executive functioning challenges—decision fatigue is more than just a nuisance. It can lead to procrastination, difficulty prioritizing, and a sense of mental clutter that makes even simple tasks feel insurmountable. When your brain is overloaded with choices, important decisions become harder, and daily life starts to feel chaotic.

But what if you could dramatically reduce the number of decisions you make each day—without sacrificing flexibility or control? Enter the “decide once” strategy: a powerful way to streamline your life, build consistency, and eliminate unnecessary mental strain.

The “decide once” method involves making a single decision about a recurring choice—then sticking with it. Instead of deciding every day what to pack for lunch, which workout to do, or when to schedule deep-focus work, you decide once and turn it into a routine. This small shift can create huge benefits by reducing cognitive load, increasing efficiency, and freeing up mental energy for more important things.

Think of it like automating your decisions—without losing the ability to adjust when needed. The key isn’t rigidity, but intentional simplicity. By creating structured defaults for repetitive decisions, you make daily life easier, reduce mental clutter, and leave more room for creativity, problem-solving, and deep work.

Here are some practical ways to apply the “decide once” method to different areas of life:

• Themed Dinner Nights: Taco Tuesday, Pasta Thursday, Soup Sunday. By assigning meals to specific days, you eliminate the daily decision of what to cook.
• Go-To Grocery List: Keep a recurring grocery list for staple items so you don’t have to rethink your shopping list every week.
• Same Breakfast or Lunch Daily: Having a standard breakfast (e.g., yogurt and granola) or lunch (e.g., a sandwich or salad) removes unnecessary choices.
• Pre-Decided Takeout: Choose a go-to takeout option for nights when cooking isn’t happening, so you don’t have to waste energy debating where to order from.

• Laundry Day: Pick a set day for laundry instead of deciding each time.
• Dishwasher Routine: Run it every night, no matter what.
• Bed Sheet Change Schedule: Change sheets on the same day each week so it’s automatic.
• Cleaning Routine: Assign one task per day (e.g., vacuum on Mondays, bathrooms on Tuesdays) to avoid decision paralysis.
• Water Plants Weekly: Pick a fixed day to water all your plants instead of guessing when they need it.

Some people worry that “decide once” strategies will make life feel rigid or boring. However, these decisions actually free up more time and energy for flexibility in other areas. Instead of constantly debating minor choices, you gain the ability to be more present and engaged in what truly matters.

If you find that a “decide once” strategy isn’t working, you can always re-evaluate and adjust. The key is to create a baseline of structure while allowing room for spontaneity where it counts.

The goal of deciding once isn’t about rigidity—it’s about creating ease. When you eliminate repetitive decisions, you free up mental energy for creativity, productivity, and well-being. Instead of getting stuck in daily decision fatigue, you can shift your focus to what truly matters.

Start small. Choose one area of your life where decisions drain your time and energy—maybe it’s setting a go-to breakfast, picking a dedicated laundry day, or deciding in advance when you’ll check emails. Locking in these small choices clears mental clutter, reduces stress, and gives you a greater sense of control.

For parents and professionals managing ADHD and executive functioning challenges, “decide once” strategies can be a game-changer. Simplifying daily routines reduces overwhelm, increases efficiency, and helps you stay present for the moments that matter most. By making small, intentional choices now, you create more space for creativity, connection, and focus.

You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Just start with one decision today—something simple that will make your life easier tomorrow. With each decision you remove, you’ll feel a little lighter, a little more in control, and a lot more free to focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment.

So, what’s one decision you can make today that will set you up for success? Start there, and let the wins add up—one simple choice at a time.