Decision Fatigue Is Draining Your Power—Here’s How to Fix It

By Mónica Ruiz, PhD

Founder of Elevare Group

It’s 2:37 PM.

You’ve made decisions about a hiring crisis, next year’s budget, your teen’s schedule, a board member’s last-minute “suggestion,” and whether your leadership team really needs another meeting.

You’re not tired—you’re done.

This is what decision fatigue looks like. It’s not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s subtle. A fog in your mind. A tightening in your chest. That hollow, slightly resentful "yes" when what you meant was a solid, grounded "no."

If you’re an executive—especially a woman who’s inherited a leadership role—chances are you make dozens, if not hundreds, of decisions each day. Some strategic. Some emotional. Some invisible to those around you. And over time, those decisions don’t just drain your energy—they drain your power.

Let’s fix that.

🔹 What is Decision Fatigue?

According to researchers at Cornell University, the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions per day. For leaders and executives, that number skyrockets when you factor in strategic calls, personnel issues, financial choices, communications, and even the micro-decisions embedded in emotional labor and visibility.

In fact, a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that judges were significantly more likely to grant parole early in the day—and less likely as decision fatigue accumulated. Translation? The more decisions you make, the less cognitive and emotional bandwidth you have for the ones that actually matter.

Decision fatigue isn’t just mental—it’s biological. As your brain burns through glucose, your ability to make sound, thoughtful decisions declines. You begin to default to one of two extremes: impulsivity or avoidance. Neither serves your leadership.

And for women—especially women of color, or those inheriting legacy roles—decision fatigue is amplified by invisible labor: navigating cultural codes, holding representation, and leading with constant vigilance.

Unchecked, this cycle chips away at your clarity, confidence, and presence. But the good news is: it’s not inevitable. You can lead with intention instead of exhaustion.