Management Tip of the Day: Put Mundane Decisions on Autopilot

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JANUARY 3, 2013 Put Mundane Decisions on Autopilot Life is full of mundane decisions: what to wear, what to eat, which route to take to work. Making too many decisions about humdrum details is a waste of a limited resource: your mental energy. When you have more demands on your time than you can accommodate, eliminate as many of these choices as possible by putting them on autopilot. Eat the same thing for breakfast everyday (hint: yogurt and fruit are better than doughnuts and coffee). Reduce your wardrobe options and create go-to outfits for certain types of occasions. Take the same route every day. By making fewer decisions you'll free up your mind to focus on things you care more about. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Boring Is Productive" by Robert C. Pozen. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Leading and Motivating Harvard ManageMentor Online Module A synopsis of the essential tasks of leadership: setting direction, aligning people, and motivating others. Learn how to recognize the skills and characteristics of effective leaders, create an inspiring vision, and energize people to support and work toward your goals. One-year single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Know the Impression Your Body Language Makes Proactively Manage Your Digital Reputation Help Your Team Mind Their Manners Make the Job More Like a Game Keep Your Network Active Don't Hurt Your Own Cause Spark Innovation with These 3 Words Get Ahead Without the Corporate Ladder Start Persuading Your Audience Before the Presentation Don't Grow Your Business Too Fast All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)