Decision-saving hack
A protocol for conserving mental resources by reducing the number of everyday decisions. In particular, fixing the daily choice of what to wear reduces the mental effort spent on unimportant, repeated decisions.
How it started
This protocol grew out of the practice of buying several copies of the same clothes and wearing the same outfit every day, instead of repeatedly deciding how to meet an office-casual dress code.
Mechanism
Reduce decision costs
Fix small daily choices so the need to choose no longer arises.
Avoid choice fatigue
Save cognitive resources for necessary decisions instead of spending them on unimportant ones.
Make it a routine
Replace “What should I wear today?” with “Wear what I have already chosen.”
Remove combinations
Standardize clothes, underwear and socks to eliminate the problem of choosing combinations.
How to implement it
- Buy several copies of the same clothes
- Standardize everyday items such as underwear and socks
- Create a setup that requires no thought about combinations
- Make it possible to choose the same specifications and models when restocking
Benefits
- Direct mental resources toward important decisions
- Reduce everyday indecision
- Simplify morning preparation
- Complete repetitive tasks faster
Drawbacks
- Less variation in appearance
- A poor fit when the aim is to enjoy clothing
- May not suit the environment or workplace culture
- Some exceptions for seasons and uses still need to be planned
Who and what it suits
- People who want to reduce everyday mental effort
- People who want to focus cognitive resources on creating, designing and making decisions
- People who are comfortable with everyday routines
- Situations where clothing itself is not an important form of self-expression
Applying it beyond clothing
The core idea is to fix unimportant, repeated choices, rather than focus on clothing itself. Clothing is an implementation example that makes the effect easy to understand.
Consumables
Standardize specifications and brands to reduce purchasing decisions.
Routine tasks
Use templates or a fixed sequence instead of thinking through the procedure each time.
Environment
Fix where items belong and where they are used to reduce searching and choosing.
Decision boundaries
Decide in advance what to fix and what needs thought.
Conclusion
There is no need to spend cognitive resources on unimportant choices every day. Put repeatable decisions that can be fixed into the structure of your routine, leaving thought for important decisions, creation and design. Fixed clothing is a minimal implementation of that approach.