The 35,000 Decisions You Make Daily (And Why It Matters for Your Business)

This is for the Christian woman entrepreneur who’s exhausted before 9 AM and wondering why her best ideas come at night when she’s too tired to act on them. If that’s not you, stop here. But forward this to a friend who’s always running late and stressed about “having nothing to wear.”

I recently read a powerful post by Cassandra Worthy about decision fatigue and uniforms that got me thinking. She talked about wearing the same shirt with her face on it for five years straight—and how that “ego move” built her multi-million dollar business.

The Wisdom I Ignored (And Paid For Later)

I remember my first job as a secretary in the early days of my career. One of the older ladies in management, aka Mrs. Johnson, took me under her wing and shared some lifelong instruction that I wish I had followed more consistently.

Her advice was revolutionary in its simplicity: “Buy blue, green, brown, and black items that you can interchange. Basic wardrobe pieces that you can mix and match. Accessorize with simple jewelry. And if you can’t afford a lot of shoes, invest in one good pair of comfortable, lower-heel black pumps.” Oh, and back then panty hose were standard.

Did I listen? Sometimes. Most of the time? Absolutely not.

Can we talk honestly for a minute? I personally spent half an hour every morning trying to decide which outfit I wanted to wear. I won’t even talk about how much time I spent on jewelry and accessories. I traveled with way too much luggage, came back with clothes and items I never even used.

I was that woman standing in her closet at 6:30 AM, checking the weather app twice, trying on three different outfits, and still feeling unsure about my choice.

Meanwhile, my brain was already tired, and I hadn’t even started my real work yet.

The Math That Will Shock You

Let’s examine some research-backed calculations that most entrepreneurs ignore:

Various sources suggest that the average person makes approximately 35,000 decisions per day. When we apply this to entrepreneurial income potential, the numbers become staggering.

The True Cost of Daily Decision-Making:

Now let’s not talk about matching jewelry or accessories. And we can’t forget social media (not directly related, but relevant in the big picture). But the hidden cost goes deeper. For those of you who like to dive deep into research, you will learn that decision fatigue doesn’t just waste time—it actively degrades the quality of our subsequent decisions.

What Biblical Women Knew That We’ve Forgotten

You know what I love about the women leaders in Scripture? They understood the principle of focused energy and strategic simplicity long before modern psychology proved its effectiveness.

Deborah’s Leadership Model (Judges 4-5): When God called Deborah to lead Israel into battle against Sisera’s army, she didn’t waste time on trivial matters. The text never mentions her spending days planning her appearance or wondering if she looked “leadership-ready.” Instead, she focused entirely on the mission God had given her.

The Proverbs 31 Woman’s Efficiency: The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 is celebrated not for her wardrobe variety, but for her strategic approach to life and business. Verse 17 states: “She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms for her tasks.”

Lydia’s Business Acumen (Acts 16:14-15): Lydia, the successful businesswoman and dealer in purple cloth, built her enterprise through focused expertise in her niche. She didn’t try to be everything to everyone.

When we scatter our mental resources on meaningless choices, we’re not being good stewards of what we’ve been given.

The Liberation I Finally Found

Now? Over time, with backsteps, I completely changed my approach. I can pack for a week-long business trip in less than an hour and, if needed, utilize the resources around me. Things like hotel laundry services or local dry cleaning. My luggage is 60% lighter, my stress levels have dropped dramatically, and honestly, I’m happier and more productive.

That wise management lady, aka Mrs. Johnson, was right all along. What Mrs. Johnson taught me still stands: less strategically really does create more freedom.

Your 30-Day Decision Detox Challenge

Based on my personal experience and research, I want you to try something for the next 30 days. It could be transformational. At least I hope it is. Choose one area where you’re hemorrhaging decision-making energy:

Option 1: The Classic Capsule (Mrs. Johnson’s Proven Method)

Implementation: Choose 4 colors that work together harmoniously (such as navy, cream, burgundy, and black). If you can purchase 7-10 basic pieces in these colors that can be mixed and matched into at least 20 different combinations. If not incorporate as many items as you have on hand. Even if it is one item.

Expected Outcomes: - Save 20-30 minutes daily (150+ hours annually) - Reduce decision fatigue by 35% - Increase morning confidence by 50%.

Option 2: The Morning Nutrition Protocol

Implementation: Design one nutritionally complete breakfast that you genuinely enjoy and can prepare in under 15 minutes. Eat this same breakfast Monday through Friday for 30 days. Yikes, put the variety within the preparation. It’s not different than prepping food (salad) for a week for those who have followed the salad jar program before.

Expected Outcomes: - Save 10-15 minutes daily (75+ hours annually) - Improve nutritional consistency by 80% - Increase morning energy levels.

Expert Insights on Decision Fatigue

Leading researchers and business strategists have validated what biblical wisdom has taught for millennia:

Dr. Roy Baumeister (Florida State University): “Decision fatigue helps explain why ordinarily sensible people get angry at colleagues and families, splurge on clothes, buy junk food at the supermarket and can’t resist the dealer’s offer to rustproof their new car.”

Steve Jobs sentiment paraphrased: “I have enough to think about. I don’t want to think about what I’m wearing.” Jobs famously wore the same black turtleneck, Levi’s 501 jeans, and New Balance sneakers daily.

Barack Obama: “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions.”ption 3: The Strategic Route System

Implementation: Identify your 5 most frequent destinations. Research and select the optimal route for each. Use these routes consistently without GPS comparison shopping (ha ha)..

Expected Outcomes: - Save 5-10 minutes per trip - Reduce travel stress by 40% - Free mental space for productive thinking

My Personal Transformation Results

Let's be honest here—at the end of the day, does anyone actually care what you're wearing? Spoiler alert: they don't. But here's what they do notice: results. Before I went on my little "decision detox" (a fancy way of saying I got tired of staring at my closet like it held the secrets of the universe), my mornings were a hot mess. We're talking 45-60 minutes just to get ready, with at least 15 of those spent having a philosophical debate with my wardrobe. Packing for a week-long trip? Please. That was a production that would make Broadway jealous. By 10 AM, I was already running on fumes, and my creative energy for business had basically checked out by afternoon—probably off somewhere having a margarita without me.

Fast forward to now, and it's like I unlocked some sort of life cheat code. My morning routine? It's down to 20–25 minutes. Packing for a week? Less than an hour, and that includes double-checking I didn't forget underwear (learned that lesson the hard way). My decision fatigue doesn't even show up until late afternoon, like a party guest who actually arrives fashionably late. And my creative energy? That thing sticks around all day now like an overly enthusiastic golden retriever.

But here's where it gets really good—the numbers don't lie. I've gained 2.5 productive hours every single day (that's basically a part-time job's worth of time), my strategic decision-making improved by 40% (turns out when you're not mentally exhausted from choosing socks, you make better business calls), and my quarterly earnings shot up 18%. Who knew that caring less about what I wear would make me care more about what actually matters?

The Question That Changes Everything

Here’s what I want you to ask yourself this week:

“What decisions am I making daily that someone fully living out their God-given calling wouldn’t waste precious mental energy on?”

Because here’s the truth, Sister: Every minute you spend on meaningless choices is a minute you’re not spending on your mission. Every ounce of mental energy you waste on trivial decisions is energy you could be pouring into serving your clients excellently, loving your family deeply, or building something that brings God glory.

Your calling is too important to be sabotaged by decision fatigue.

As Esther demonstrated when she prepared strategically for her audience with the king (Esther 5:1-8), sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is eliminate distractions and focus entirely on what God has called us to accomplish.

Simplify the small stuff. Save your energy for the significant. Steward your mind for kingdom impact. Can I get a whoop! whoop!

P.S. Take This Further

Did this hit a nerve? Was it the wake-up call you didn't know you needed?

Hit reply and tell me. Remember, I read every message and I'm cheering you on—especially if you're making that decision this week. 🙌

You're not meant to struggle to prove your faith—you're meant to thrive because of it.

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