In a workshop on writing, the instructor mentioned “decision fatigue” and that really resonated with me, as to what was holding me back from writing. I went searching to learn more, and it turned out, procrastination wasn’t (precisely) the reason I was having trouble sitting down and writing; decision fatigue was *causing* the procrastination. So I went looking for time management ideas, and I discovered the Pomodoro Technique to help me overcome it.
It’s a time management method by an Italian, thus, pomodoro (tomato). The idea is, you work for 20 minutes (the “pomodoro”), then break for 5 minutes. You have to actually break! Not sit and look at what you’ve already done, etc. Get up and stretch, refresh your drink, go play on social media, check your email, etc. But get AWAY from your manuscript for 5 minutes. Then come back and do it again. After your fourth session, the break needs to be longer, at least 30 minutes.
This is absolutely working for me! , it’s working!! I can do 2k words in a couple sessions and not be wiped out, and go away for a bit, and come back and do another 2k.
I do limit myself to 2 sessions at a time before a longer break of at least 15 minutes. I’ve been NOT using any kind of time management for all my life, and I want to institute this as a permanent part of my writing routine, and I don’t want to be very strict for long periods of time, until I get used to it.
However! I can get an easy 2,000 words in two 25-minute sessions… and I’m NOT wiped out, or have brain fog. And when I go back for the next round, I still have plenty of energy and a clear mind. I’ve been doing this for 2-3 weeks now, and one day I ACTUALLY hit 8,000 words in one day… and STILL not wiped out, or tired, or burned out. And I went to bed and slept like a log that night, and woke up in the morning energized and ready to go.
I even made an Alexa routine, it tells me when I’ve finished the first 10 minutes, then when I have 5 minutes left. Then it tells me to stop and take a break, and starts a timer for 5 minutes, then tells me it’s time to start writing again.
I’m being very cautious and intentional, not wanting to fall back into habits of what I used to think was sloth, but now I realize it was decision fatigue. It also helps, by the way, to take that burden of self-blame off my shoulders. I wasn’t just being lazy, there actually WAS something holding me back. And now I’ve found a way to deal with that, so it’s not happening and holding me back in the future.
Below is more information about Decision Fatigue and the Pomodoro Technique, that I gleaned from conversations with the Claude AI:
What is decision fatigue?
Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made after a long period of decision making. It’s the mental exhaustion that results from having to make too many choices, leading to either impulsive decisions or decision paralysis.
Some key aspects of decision fatigue:
1. Mental resources deplete as we make more decisions throughout the day
2. Later decisions tend to default to either the easiest option or the status quo
3. Important decisions are better made earlier in the day when mental energy is fresh
4. Even small decisions like what to wear or eat can contribute to fatigue
Common strategies to combat decision fatigue include:
– Establishing routines for recurring decisions
– Making important decisions early in the day
– Limiting choices to avoid overwhelm
– Planning ahead (like picking out clothes the night before)
– Automating minor decisions where possible
Would you like me to elaborate on any particular aspect of decision fatigue or these strategies?
Yes, please elaborate.
Decision fatigue is like a mental battery that drains throughout the day. Just as your phone loses power with use, your brain’s ability to make well-reasoned decisions diminishes with each choice you face.
This affects us in surprising ways. Shopping late in the day often leads to more impulse purchases. Judges have been found to make harsher decisions later in their daily sessions. Even simple choices like picking lunch options become oddly difficult by day’s end.
The brain starts taking shortcuts to conserve energy. You might notice yourself becoming more impulsive (“I’ll just get takeout again”), more likely to avoid decisions entirely (“I’ll deal with this tomorrow”), or more prone to sticking with default options rather than carefully weighing alternatives.
It’s particularly relevant in our modern world where we face an unprecedented number of choices daily – from dozens of cereal options at the grocery store to constant digital notifications demanding our attention. Each decision, no matter how small, takes a toll on our mental resources.
The effects can be subtle but significant: increased irritability, reduced self-control, poorer judgment, and a tendency to avoid making decisions altogether. This is why many successful people, like Steve Jobs with his signature black turtleneck, deliberately reduced their daily decisions about certain things to preserve mental energy for more important matters.
Can you give me some specific examples?
Decision fatigue refers to the deterioration of our ability to make quality decisions after a long series of choices. Here’s a brief overview:
1. Concept: As we make more decisions throughout the day, our mental energy depletes, leading to poorer decision-making.
2. Effects:
– Reduced willpower
– Impulsive choices
– Procrastination
– Avoidance of decision-making
3. Common examples:
– Impulse purchases at checkout counters
– Poor food choices later in the day
– Difficulty making decisions after a long day at work
4. Causes:
– Overwhelming number of choices
– Complex decision-making processes
– Lack of rest or breaks between decisions
5. Mitigation strategies:
– Prioritize important decisions earlier in the day
– Limit less important choices (e.g., having a routine)
– Take regular breaks
– Simplify decision-making processes where possible
Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of decision fatigue?
How about how it relates to writing novels?
Certainly, decision fatigue can significantly impact the process of writing novels. Here’s how it relates:
1. Creative choices:
– Writers make countless decisions about plot, characters, dialogue, and descriptions.
– As the day progresses, the quality of these creative choices may decline.
2. Writing schedule:
– Many writers find they’re most productive in the morning when decision-making abilities are fresh.
– Afternoon or evening writing sessions might result in less inspired work.
3. Editing process:
– Editing requires numerous small decisions about word choice, sentence structure, and overall flow.
– Extended editing sessions can lead to diminishing returns as fatigue sets in.
4. World-building:
– For fantasy or sci-fi novels, creating consistent and compelling worlds involves many interconnected decisions.
– Decision fatigue can lead to inconsistencies or less imaginative choices.
5. Character development:
– Deciding on character motivations, backstories, and actions throughout the novel can be mentally taxing.
– Later character decisions might lack the depth or nuance of earlier ones.
6. Plot progression:
– Choosing how to advance the plot requires weighing various options and potential outcomes.
– Decision fatigue might result in more predictable or less satisfying plot turns.
7. Writer’s block:
– Decision fatigue can contribute to writer’s block, as the overwhelming number of choices paralyzes the creative process.
8. Revision fatigue:
– Multiple rounds of revisions involve revisiting and reconsidering previous decisions.
– This can be particularly draining and may lead to hasty or poor choices in later drafts.
To mitigate these effects, writers often:
– Set specific writing times, often in the morning
– Break the writing process into smaller, manageable sessions
– Use outlines or planning tools to reduce on-the-spot decisions
– Take regular breaks to recharge their decision-making abilities
– Save major plot decisions or challenging scenes for when they’re feeling fresh
Would you like me to expand on any of these points or explore another aspect of how decision fatigue affects novel writing?
Please tell me more
Certainly. Let’s delve deeper into how decision fatigue affects novel writing and explore some additional aspects:
1. Character voice consistency:
– Maintaining distinct voices for multiple characters requires constant decision-making.
– As fatigue sets in, characters’ voices might blend together or lose their unique qualities.
2. Pacing decisions:
– Choosing when to speed up or slow down the narrative is crucial for reader engagement.
– Decision fatigue might lead to pacing issues, such as rushing important scenes or dwelling too long on less significant details.
3. Research paralysis:
– Novels often require research, but deciding what to research and when to stop can be overwhelming.
– Decision fatigue can result in either insufficient research or going down research rabbit holes, impeding actual writing progress.
4. Balancing subplots:
– Deciding how much attention to give various subplots and how to weave them into the main story is complex.
– Fatigue might cause writers to neglect or overemphasize certain subplots, affecting overall story balance.
5. Stylistic choices:
– Deciding on and maintaining a consistent style throughout the novel (e.g., level of description, use of literary devices) becomes harder with fatigue.
– This can lead to an inconsistent reading experience.
6. Scene selection:
– Choosing which scenes to write, which to summarize, and which to cut entirely is an ongoing process.
– Decision fatigue can result in poor choices about which scenes truly serve the story.
7. Revision strategy:
– Deciding how to approach revisions (e.g., focusing on big-picture issues first or line-by-line editing) can be daunting.
– Fatigue might lead to inefficient revision processes or overlooking important aspects.
8. Marketing and publication decisions:
– Even after writing, authors face decisions about query letters, book titles, cover designs, and marketing strategies.
– These crucial decisions often come when the author is most fatigued from the writing process.
9. Writing tools and environment:
– Choices about writing software, workspace setup, and even music or background noise can affect productivity.
– Decision fatigue might lead to constantly changing these factors instead of focusing on writing.
10. Handling feedback:
– Deciding which feedback to incorporate and how to implement changes can be overwhelming.
– Fatigue might cause writers to either dismiss valuable feedback or make changes that don’t align with their vision.
Could you give me some strategies in how to avoid decision fatigue?
Strategies to combat decision fatigue in novel writing:
– Create a detailed outline before starting, to reduce on-the-spot plotting decisions.
– Establish character profiles early to guide consistent character choices.
– Set specific goals for each writing session to focus decision-making energy.
– Use tools like random name generators or preselected word lists to reduce minor decisions.
– Collaborate with a writing partner or join a writing group to share the decision-making load.
– Practice mindfulness or meditation to improve overall decision-making stamina.
Understanding and managing decision fatigue can significantly improve both the writing process and the final quality of a novel. By recognizing its effects and implementing strategies to mitigate them, writers can maintain their creative energy and make better choices throughout their writing journey.
Would using the Pomodoro technique be a good way to manage decision fatigue?
Yes, the Pomodoro Technique can be an excellent method for managing decision fatigue, especially for writers. Here’s how it can help:
1. Structured work periods:
– The technique involves 25-minute focused work sessions (called “Pomodoros”), followed by short breaks.
– This structure helps prevent extended periods of decision-making that can lead to fatigue.
2. Regular breaks:
– The 5-minute breaks between Pomodoros allow the brain to rest and recharge.
– This can help refresh your decision-making abilities for the next work session.
3. Task prioritization:
– Before starting Pomodoros, you typically list and prioritize tasks.
– This upfront decision-making can reduce the need for constant prioritization during writing.
4. Focused attention:
– The time constraint encourages concentrated effort, potentially leading to quicker and more decisive choices.
– This can help combat overthinking and decision paralysis.
5. Progress tracking:
– Counting completed Pomodoros provides a sense of accomplishment.
– This positive reinforcement can boost motivation and combat decision fatigue-related procrastination.
6. Limiting distractions:
– The technique encourages putting off non-urgent interruptions until the Pomodoro is complete.
– This reduces the number of small decisions that can contribute to fatigue.
7. Natural stopping points:
– The end of a Pomodoro provides a clear moment to pause and reassess.
– This can prevent getting stuck in prolonged, fatigue-inducing decision loops.
8. Balancing different tasks:
– You can allocate specific Pomodoros to different aspects of writing (e.g., plotting, character development, editing).
– This variety can help maintain mental freshness and combat decision fatigue in any one area.
To implement the Pomodoro Technique for writing:
1. Break your writing tasks into Pomodoro-sized chunks.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus solely on the chosen writing task.
3. Take a 5-minute break after each Pomodoro.
4. After 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break (15-30 minutes).
5. Use breaks to step away from decisions – perhaps do light physical activity or meditation.
While the Pomodoro Technique can be very effective, it’s important to adapt it to your personal writing style and needs. Some writers might prefer longer or shorter work periods, for instance. The key is finding a rhythm that helps you maintain focus and make quality decisions throughout your writing sessions.
