Why Micro Decisions are Exhausting for ADHDers
Making decisions is simply harder for ADHDers. Our brains come up with dozens of possible options. And we also have perfectionist tendencies.
That means we want to find the BEST solution. No matter how long it takes.
But when you’re juggling multiple micro decisions all the time, you simply run out of executive function energy.
What are executive functions?
If you haven’t come across them before, executive functions are the mental skills that help us with planning, prioritizing, and short term memory.
ADHD affects the prefrontal cortex. Leaders with ADHD can struggle with these functions because our brains are wired differently.
You might find it hard to remember short-term details. Or you may get decision paralysis when there’s loads of different options.
Leadership = Constant Decision-Making
Leadership roles usually require constant decision-making. Since decisions are often harder for ADHDers, that can be a fast-track to burnout if you’re not careful.
There have certainly been periods in my own career where I’m overusing my executive function. When that happens something as simple as cooking a meal can seem impossible.
Lessons from Lockdown
I had a big realisation during lockdown. I noticed that a lot of these micro decisions went away.
Life became simpler. I didn’t have to constantly answer questions from my team.
I found that some tasks I struggled with, like cooking, suddenly became a lot easier.
The reason was because I had so much more executive function energy left over at the end of the day.
The Solution: Energy Management
So what can we learn from this?
If we can balance out our executive function usage, decision-making is easier and less tiring.
In practical terms this means managing your energy as you go. One of my clients found that they tended to make lots of decisions on Mondays. At the end of the day they had nothing left.
When they switched to making decisions across the week, things got a lot easier.
Quick Tips for ADHD Leaders
- Track which tasks mentally drain you. Keep a log for a week and note any patterns.
- Batch low-stakes decisions or automate them. If it’s not a big money decision, ask yourself if YOU need to make it or you can entrust it to your team.
- Don’t overload decision-heavy tasks into one day.
- Spread out micro-decisions if possible. Your brain burns the same energy for picking a font as for key strategy decisions. Save your energy for the big calls.
- Create “decision-free” zones in your day/week to give your brain a break. You could even block it into your calendar and set a reminder so it’s visible.
- Reduce decision-making by using templates, lists and defaults for things like branding, emails, or even menu planning.
Putting it into Practice
So what’s the key takeaway here?
Decision-making burnout is real. It’s not because you’re lazy. It happens because as a leader you’re making hundreds of micro decisions every day.
Start by understanding which decisions or tasks make you tired.
Then ask:
👉 Can I spread this out?
👉 Can I simplify it?
👉 Can someone else handle it?
Remember that as a leader you don’t need to do everything. Everyone wins when you lead in a way that works for you.