Business Education

How to Avoid Decision Fatigue; Wait, Avoid What?

Decision fatigue. It’s a phenomenon which probably affects you. Yet, you’re not truly aware of it. Put another way, you’ve likely felt its impact, but just didn’t know what to make of it. Or, more particularly, what to call it. That’s okay. It’s something many people experience a few times. Others are hit with it a lot — a whole lot. Usually, these are individuals in positions of authority. You know, the “decision makers.” Although we joke about it, the truth of the matter is, making decisions gets harder and harder as the day goes on. So, let’s look at some ways to avoid decision fatigue.

Is Decision Fatigue Actually Real?

The short answer to the question above is a resounding, “Yes!” Decision fatigue is real. In fact, two university researchers examined more than 1,000 decisions made by judges in Israel. Said judges either decided to grant or to deny parole. Prisoners who appeared in the morning, about 9 am, fared quite well. Those offenders had a 70 percent chance of making parole.

Decision fatigue can seem harmless enough. Spending a few extra minutes deciding between chicken or beef isn’t the end of the world. But what you may not realize is that those little moments of turmoil could be negatively impacting your business. If left unchecked, decision fatigue can lead to reckless behavior like compulsive spending or, worse, the inability to make any decisions at all. —CNBC.com

But, by the time mid-afternoon rolled around, those chances dropped down to just 10 percent. The conclusion, of course, was the judges simply used-up their stamina and therefore, took the simplest and safest way out.

Ways to Avoid Decision Fatigue

Now, if you’ve ever felt “used-up” at the end of the day, like your brain can’t process any more, decision fatigue is a likely culprit. Here are a few suggestions for how to avoid decision fatigue to better your work performance:

Start tomorrow today. At the end of every day, start getting things in order for the next morning. Don’t make big decisions. Just get organized so you’re ready to go when you come back tomorrow. While this might seem too simple, it will have a big impact.
Make important decisions early. When you start your day, don’t “ease” into it. Instead, challenge yourself by making the most important decisions when you’re most fresh and have new energy. You’ll see things more clearly and have a better sense of which way to go.
Stop second-guessing yourself. In the military, some class instructors tell their students to bite the erasers off of their pencils right before starting a test. It’s not literal — it’s a figure of speech. It means your first intuition is typically the right one; so, don’t second-guess yourself.
Snack and exercise every day. It’s a very good practice to have a solid but sensible breakfast in the morning. A light lunch is also a sound practice. But, you might feel a bit worn by mid-afternoon. The cure? Exercise and have a small snack to re-energize.

What other ways do you combat decision fatigue? Please share your experiences by commenting!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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The 3 Biggest Social Media Marketing Mistakes

March 10, 2020 No Comments

The three biggest social media marketing mistakes small businesses make might surprise you. In fact, two of them seem contradictory, that is, once you learn their details. But, knowing about these unforced errors can help a business create brand awareness, reach a larger audience, and sell more. Read on to learn about the three biggest social media marketing mistakes small businesses make. The Importance of Social Media Marketing Social media marketing is an obvious necessity in today’s business environment. Consumers get most of their news and information from social media. It’s where 3 out of 5 consumers discover new products and services and/or are repetitively exposed to them on a regular basis. It’s also the place where literally hundreds of millions of people go day after day. Most modern businesses understand the importance of using social media to promote their brand and interact with consumers. Indeed, social media is at the core of many companies’ digital strategy, often delivering measurable results in terms of sales, leads and customer service. That said, there are many social media mistakes that we see time and time again: strategic errors that leave leads on the table and opportunities unexplored. —Forbes.com With such wide reach and exponential potential, it’s no wonder social media marketing is the preferred medium of the largest international brands. Small businesses can also tap into this powerful branding tool, by building a presence. However, it must be done with an effective strategy. 3 Biggest Social Media Marketing Mistakes The lack of strategy, unsurprisingly, is where too many businesses go wrong. Just having a presence and posting updates isn’t enough. It is very important not to commit these three huge social media marketing mistakes, too: Posting too little. If there’s one rule small businesses should follow in regards to social media marketing, it is consistency. Too many businesses start off posting regularly, only to update their pages less and less. Eventually, updates are sporadic, becoming few and far between. Hence, people don’t encounter them often enough and that’s a really bad thing. Posting too much. On the other hand, some businesses over do it. They post so frequently, there’s no discernible message or value to their target audience. These businesses make the mistake of confusing quantity for quality, and that too, is a huge mistake. Posting for the sake of it usually only serves to irritate people, not endear them to the brand. Not effectively branding. The last point plays into this one. It’s a well-known fact in the digital marketing world people often forget where they see things on social media, more particularly, not remembering the source. In other words, they might recall a product or service, but can’t recall the platform on which they saw it, and more importantly, which business it posted the content. Therefore, it’s imperative to have a consistent brand presence so people associate your business with its products and services. What other mistakes would you advise small businesses to avoid? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Respond to Bad Online Reviews

May 5, 2017 No Comments

In an increasingly digital, on-demand world, that’s so closely and quickly connected, it’s easy to find out about a business before you do business with them. It also provides an environment where customers can cast your business in a negative light on a very public forum. Let’s face it, you won’t please everyone that does business with you and that can easily lead to a bad review. Before you know it, others jump on the bandwagon because someone else has taken the first step. What’s counterintuitive is not all bad online reviews are bad for business. For those who already know your company and appreciate what you offer, those reviews won’t matter. What’s more, consumers who read reviews usually do give deference, putting things into context. Future customers are likely to weigh the good with the bad and make an intelligent, unbiased decision. However, this isn’t to say that not responding is the best course of action. Ways to Respond to Bad Online Reviews When your company receives a bad review online, it’s only natural to do one of two things: label the person who wrote it as a blithering idiot or just ignore it. Of course, the former is a one-way ticket to the insanity of trying to win an argument that can’t be won or even resolved. The latter tells people that you just don’t care enough about your company’s reputation. While the second option will certainly do less damage, it isn’t necessarily the best way to go. Most customers won’t write you off based on one negative comment. Many, however, will gain respect for your business if you respond to the comment in a pleasant and helpful way. Of course, that’s not easy to do when you pour your life into a business and someone bashes it online. Your immediate impulse is to return fire. Don’t do it. Back slowly away from the keyboard and collect your thoughts. —Forbes What you ought to do is approach your business in a proactive manner, which you’re likely doing naturally. In other words, providing the best you can at a reasonable price, meeting or even surpassing customer expectations. However, it’s nearly inevitable that you won’t please everybody and out of those, there will be at least one that takes to the internet to voice his or her negative opinion. Of course, your business will be cast as incompetent, uncaring, or just bad all around. What you do next will determine how a bad review affects your business. So, try these tips to turn a negative into a positive: Don’t respond right away. It’s almost cliche to give this advice, but it bears repeating. The more in-the-moment you are, the more difficult it will be to respond objectively. Leave your emotions and personal bias aside. Yes, your company is your very life and you’ve pleased so many others, this seems quite unreasonable, but it might be legitimate. Try to learn from what’s being said. Don’t just take the comments at face-value, dig into what’s between the lines. You might just discover that there’s something awry you’ve never noticed. Be brief but clear. Your response should not be a novel and it shouldn’t go off into tangents. Make a brief, clear statement so others who read it can form a sense of the situation. Offer a reasonable solution. It might be the last thing you want to do, but offering a discount, or something else to make peace can work wonders. What you should never do is try to win an argument. You’ll look petty and it will appear to future customers that you don’t work and play well with others because you’re always in-the-right. Keep a level head and approach it with empathy, you’ll probably be surprised by the results. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

How Business Owners Running on an Empty Tank can Refuel

May 10, 2022 No Comments

Are you feeling run down and stressed out? Are you finding it hard to get motivated to work on your business? If so, you are not alone. Many business owners find themselves in this position at some point in their careers. However, just because you are feeling worn out doesn’t mean that you have to give up. There are things that you can do to re-energize yourself and get back on track. In this article, we will discuss some of the best tips for overcoming burnout and getting your energy back. Start by Lowering Street, Eating Senisbly One of the most important things that you can do to combat stress and fatigue is to control your stress levels. If you are constantly feeling overwhelmed, it is important to take some time for yourself and relax. There are many ways to do this, such as yoga, meditation, or simply taking a walk outside. Taking some time each day to de-stress will help you feel more refreshed and ready to work on your business. Burnout hurts. When you burn out at work, you feel diminished, like a part of yourself has gone into hiding. Challenges that were formerly manageable feel insurmountable. It’s the opposite end of the spectrum from engagement. The engaged entrepreneur is energized, involved, and high-performing; the burned-out entrepreneur is exhausted, cynical, and overwhelmed. —Harvard Business Review Another way to re-energize yourself is to make sure that you are eating light lunches. Heavy meals can make you feel sluggish and tired. Instead, focus on eating healthy foods that will give you sustained energy throughout the day. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein are all great options for an energy-boosting lunch. Effective Steps Burned-Out Business Owners can Re-Engergize In addition to reducing stress and eating light lunches, it is also important to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and make it difficult to focus. Make sure to drink water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. But, these alone may not be enough. So, also do the following: Exercise. Exercise is another great way to combat stress and fatigue. Taking a brisk walk or going for a run can help you clear your head and boost your energy levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-enhancing properties. If you can, try to get in some exercise every day, even if it’s just a short walk around the block. Sleep better. Getting more restful sleep is also crucial for overcoming burnout. If you are not getting enough sleep, you will find it difficult to focus and get things done. Make sure to give yourself time to wind down before bed and create a relaxing environment in your bedroom. This will help you fall asleep more easily and get the restful sleep that you need. Take breaks. Finally, it is important to take regular breaks throughout the day. Working non-stop will only make you feel more stressed and tired. Instead, take a few minutes every hour or so to take a break. Stretch your legs, grab a cup of coffee, or simply step away from your desk for a few minutes. Taking breaks will help you stay refreshed and focused on your work. If you are feeling burned out, don’t despair. There are things that you can do to re-energize yourself and get back on track. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Avoid Decision Fatigue; Wait, Avoid What?

Is Decision Fatigue Actually Real?

Ways to Avoid Decision Fatigue

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