Ever notice how even the smallest choices—like what to wear or what to eat for lunch—can feel like they’re draining your brain power? This phenomenon, known as decision fatigue, explains why we end up eating the same (boring) lunch three days in a row or recycling yesterday’s shirt for Zoom calls. And it’s not just the decisions themselves that drain us; each time we switch focus, we chip away at our mental reserves.
Even on my best days, I feel like I’m being yanked in every direction at the drop of a hat. I may check off several random tasks, but the day rarely feels “good” or productive. Instead, it often feels like I’m bouncing from one decision to the next, never really gaining ground—or worse, getting stuck in analysis paralysis, unable to choose at all. Time wasted, and the frustration is real. Maybe you experience this too.
Now, imagine having a personal algorithm—a set sequence of steps to guide you automatically through these mundane choices. No more daily decision vortex or mental gear-grinding, just a clear, guided path through your day.
So why not put them to work in our daily routines?
Why It Could Work for You
Personal algorithms build routines that squash decision fatigue, free up brain space, and spare you the toll of constant focus-switching. Every time we stop mid-task to figure out lunch or mentally map out our evening workout, our productivity takes a hit. Even Aristotle and Benjamin Franklin knew this trick, structuring their days to save energy for what mattered. Modern psychology backs them up—fewer choices and fewer distractions lead to more clarity.
So, by creating personal algorithms, you’re letting the small, repetitive tasks run on autopilot and reserving your mental energy for the stuff that really counts.
How to Start Building Your Own Algorithms
1. Identify Patterns in Your Life
Look for situations where you frequently switch focus or make the same decisions repeatedly. Areas like morning routines, handling work stress, deciding what to have for dinner, or winding down at night are perfect for personal algorithms, as they often involve multiple small steps that don’t require intense mental energy.
2. List Key Steps for Each Process
Breaking down routines into simple steps allows each action to feel automatic, limiting the need for focus-switching. Here’s an example of a morning routine:
- Wake up
- Hydrate
- Stretch for five minutes
- Set priorities for the day
3. Set If-Then Statements for Flexibility
An If-Then statement is a simple decision-making tool that helps create a clear response to specific triggers in your life. It works by outlining a condition (the "If" part) and the action you will take when that condition is met (the "Then" part). This structure allows you to automate your reactions to situations, reducing decision fatigue and increasing the likelihood of positive behaviors. For example:
Work Stress Algorithm: “If I start to feel overwhelmed, then I’ll take three deep breaths and step away for five minutes.” This shift provides your brain with a ready-made response, grounding you without any thought juggling.
Evening Wind-Down: “If I feel the urge to check my phone, then I’ll pick up a book instead.” Building responses like these makes behaviors instinctual, leaving less room for distraction.
4. Test, Refine, and Adjust as Needed
Personal algorithms should simplify, not complicate. Regularly assess what’s working and where friction still exists, and don’t hesitate to tweak as you go. If something feels off, try removing a step or adjusting the timing. Personal algorithms are meant to support mental clarity, so they should feel natural and helpful, not rigid.
My Daily "What's for Dinner?" Struggle
I have algorithms for many situations in my life, but funny enough, not in one of my biggest struggle areas: “What’s for dinner?” It’s not that I dislike cooking—in fact, I enjoy it. But the constant decision-making? That’s what drains me and removes all joy. Trying to figure out something that works for everyone, especially on long workdays when I have zero energy to cook, turns it into a chore.
After researching this, I felt inspired to create a simple algorithm to tackle this nightly dilemma. My approach going forward is to include a quick plan for busy nights, a flexible menu outline, and “fallback” meals for those days I just don’t have it in me. I’m hopeful this system will cut down on the daily back-and-forth, allowing me to focus on what I actually enjoy—cooking, not the overthinking. I'll keep you posted on how it works!
Bringing It Home
Creating personal algorithms isn’t about making life rigid or robotic; it’s about gaining freedom. The more you automate the small stuff, the less you need to switch focus and the more energy you have for creativity, spontaneity, and presence in life’s big moments.
Life won’t always go according to plan, but with a few algorithms in place, you’ll navigate each day with more ease and purpose. Give it a try, and you might find that personal algorithms are the ultimate life cheat code for feeling more in control, calm, and capable—no matter what comes your way.
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