TheUPside Podcast: "Decision Fatigue"

Host: Theresa Flood
Episode Date: October 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of TheUPside Podcast, host Theresa Flood explores the pervasive phenomenon of "decision fatigue"—the mental exhaustion caused by making too many choices throughout the day. Through personal anecdotes, scientific insights, and actionable tips, Theresa guides listeners on how to reclaim their energy, improve the quality of their decisions, and structure routines to minimize overwhelm. The episode is lively, relatable, and designed for anyone looking to boost productivity, reduce stress, and lead with intention at home or in business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Defining Decision Fatigue

• The Daily Toll of Choices

  • Theresa highlights the astonishing number of daily decisions:

    "Would you be surprised to know that you make over 35,000 decisions a day? 35,000. That's an immense number of decisions. No wonder we have decision fatigue." (01:25)

  • Decisions range from the subconscious and minor to major, life-altering choices.

• Manifestations of Decision Fatigue

  • End-of-day exhaustion, difficulty making even simple decisions (like dinner), and a reduction in decision quality over time.
  • Memorable moment: Theresa recalls a meme:

    "Adulting really is just deciding what you want for dinner every single night for the rest of your life." (02:10)

  • Scientific evidence: Judges make worse decisions as the day progresses due to energy drain.

    "If I get arrested for any kind of crime, I want the judge first thing in the morning." (06:15)

The Paradox and Privilege of Choice

• Choice is framed both as a gift and a burden.
• Notable Quote:

  "There is no choice in life but to choose. That's the paradox of choice." (07:35)

• The power in owning your decisions:

  "If you want to have a different life, make different choices. If you want to have a better life, make better choices. If you want to have the best life, make the best choices." (07:56)

Strategies to Reduce Decision Fatigue

1. Pre-Decide

   • Reduce spontaneous decision-making by making choices ahead of time, when energy and willpower are highest.
     • Personal example: Theresa pre-plans weekly meals and schedules with her family.

       "All of our meals are planned out for the week. So we know ahead of time if we're going to eat at home on Monday..." (09:13)

   • Pre-deciding removes energy-draining negotiation with oneself in the moment (e.g., gym attendance, lead generation tasks at work).

     • "Every morning when you get out of bed, you shouldn't be deciding in that moment are you going to the gym. That should already be pre decided." (10:58)

2. Clarity on Core Values

   • Use values as decision filters to streamline choices and minimize internal debate.
   • Family example: Decisions, like kids’ screen time, are anchored in predetermined house rules.

     "I have pre decided that for them and as they get older there's going to be choices that they are going to need to pre decide on." (13:25)

   • For major decisions, Theresa and her husband already established collaborative approaches.

     "Tommy and I are going to make major decisions together. We're going to make financial decisions together. We don't make those alone." (15:00)

3. Make the Choice—Don’t Delay

   • Delaying decisions is itself a decision, leading to prolonged energy drain.

     "No decision is still a decision. It's a decision to not make a decision which is still a decision." (16:24)

   • Sometimes wisdom is needed, but often simply deciding brings relief.

4. Prioritize Important Decisions Early in the Day

   • Make tough or high-stakes decisions when your energy is highest—typically in the morning for many people.

     "My best self is early in the day. That may not be the case for everybody. Make your best decisions...when you are well rested, when you are nourished..." (19:18)

Life as a Series of Choices

• Insightful Quote:

  "When you're born, you look like your parents and when you die you look like your choices. You look like your decisions." (21:03)

• Listeners are encouraged to audit their own routines:
  • What can be pre-decided?
  • What are your core values?
  • When are you most equipped to make decisions?
  • What decisions are you avoiding that drain your energy?

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• "We spent a lot of energy in life negotiating with ourselves. Pre decide, pre decide." (11:52)
• Humorous reality:

  "Adulting really is just deciding what you want for dinner every single night for the rest of your life." (02:10)

• On the necessity of choosing:

  "There is no choice in life but to choose. That's the paradox of choice." (07:35)

• On decision quality and timing:

  "Studies show that your decisions do get worse over time." (06:10)

• The audit challenge:

  "What are the things that you need to pre decide? Number two, what are the core values that every decision is going to flow through? When can you prioritize to do your your thinking time and your decision making time? When you're at the highest energy. And what decisions have you been avoiding that are just sucking up energy because you're kicking that can." (21:30)

• The ultimate life lens:

  "Remember, the goal is not just about what you're going to do, it's always about who you are becoming along the way." (22:18)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:25 — How many daily decisions we really make
• 02:10 — The exhaustion of everyday decision-making (dinner example/meme)
• 06:10 — Research on declining decision quality throughout the day
• 07:35 — The paradox of choice
• 09:13 — Pre-deciding: grocery planning and routines
• 13:25 — Pre-deciding for kids and teaching decision skills
• 16:24 — No decision is still a decision
• 19:18 — Prioritizing decisions with highest energy
• 21:03 — “You look like your decisions”
• 21:30 — Personal audit for listeners
• 22:18 — Final encouragement: transformation is about becoming

Tone & Delivery

Theresa’s tone is warm, conversational, and direct, blending relatable anecdotes with actionable wisdom. She combines humor (the dinner meme), practical family and business examples, and thought-provoking quotes to engage listeners at every level.

Summary

Theresa Flood’s "Decision Fatigue" episode is a concise, actionable masterclass in reducing everyday overwhelm by structuring decisions, clarifying values, and being intentional. Through insightful stories, research, and practical steps, she urges listeners to avoid the “tyranny of the urgent,” reclaim their time and energy, and remember that their choices ultimately shape who they become.