Struggling to Make Simple Decisions? Simple Strategies to Take Control at Work

Maybe you’re caught in a loop of indecision over how to prioritise tasks, which project to tackle first, or even how to organise your day. If this sounds familiar, you might be facing challenges with what’s known as executive functioning; a set of cognitive skills that allow us to plan, organise, and manage time and tasks efficiently.

For many neurodiverse individuals, challenges with executive functioning are common, yet the term itself can feel abstract and difficult to grasp. So, let’s break it down, explore what executive functioning really means, and look at practical, simple strategies to help take control of decision-making and organisation at work.

Executive functioning refers to the mental skills that enable us to handle complex tasks, make decisions, and regulate our behaviour. These cognitive processes include:

1. Planning and Organisation: The ability to set goals, create a plan, and follow through on it. This includes knowing what tasks need to be done and in what order.
2. Task Initiation: Getting started on tasks without unnecessary delay or procrastination.
3. Prioritisation: The ability to decide which tasks are most important and should be completed first and which can wait.
4. Decision-Making: Making clear choices when presented with different options, especially when there’s a lot to consider.
5. Time Management: Estimating how long tasks will take and ensuring they get done within a set time frame.
6. Working Memory: Holding information in your mind while using it to complete a task. This could be remembering steps in a process or keeping important details in mind while making decisions.
7. Self-Monitoring: Being able to assess your progress on tasks and adjust your approach if things aren’t going as planned.

When people refer to executive functioning issues, they’re often talking about difficulties in one or more of these areas. For example, a person with executive functioning challenges may struggle to prioritise tasks, have trouble getting started on work, or feel overwhelmed by decision-making, even for seemingly simple things.

Decision-making is a central part of executive functioning. Each day at work involves countless decisions; what task to prioritise, how to allocate your time, or even how to approach a complex project. When executive functioning skills are not fully developed or are impacted by neurodiversity, even straightforward decisions can feel paralysing.

Some common signs of executive functioning issues related to decision-making include:

• Feeling overwhelmed by choices: When there are too many options, deciding where to start can be difficult.
• Difficulty evaluating pros and cons: Struggling to assess the benefits or consequences of each choice can lead to indecision.
• Second-guessing decisions: After making a choice, you might question whether it was the right one, leading to doubt and frustration.
• Procrastination: Putting off decisions or avoiding making them altogether because of the mental effort involved.

These challenges can result in stress, reduced productivity, and feelings of being stuck at work.

While executive functioning challenges can feel overwhelming, there are practical strategies that can help you take control of decision-making and feel more in charge of your workday.

1. Break Decisions into Smaller Steps

When faced with a decision, try breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of deciding everything at once, focus on making one small decision at a time. This reduces the pressure and helps you move forward with confidence.

For example, instead of deciding how to complete an entire project in one go, start by deciding what the first small task should be. Once you’ve made that decision, move on to the next.

2. Use Time Blocking

Time blocking is a powerful strategy that combines structure and flexibility. Allocate specific time slots in your day for decision-making or for specific tasks. By setting aside focused time for each task or decision, you can avoid overwhelm and reduce the temptation to procrastinate.

For example, reserve the first 30 minutes of your workday for tackling tough decisions or prioritising tasks. During this time, limit distractions and focus solely on making progress.

3. Limit Your Options

Having too many options can lead to decision fatigue. If you’re faced with multiple choices, try to narrow them down. Consider using a simple pros and cons list to evaluate each option, or ask yourself: What’s the most important outcome I want? Focus on that to guide your decision.

4. Establish Routines for Repeated Decisions

For decisions you have to make repeatedly, such as how to organise your day or what tasks to prioritise, consider creating routines or templates. By building consistent habits, you eliminate the need to rethink the same decisions over and over again.

For instance, you could create a daily checklist or a routine for how you approach projects, so you can jump into action without needing to decide each step.

5. Set Clear Priorities

If you’re overwhelmed by competing tasks, set clear priorities based on urgency and importance. One effective method is the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps you categorise tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. This helps clarify which decisions need to be made now and which can be delayed or delegated.

6. Seek External Support When Needed

Sometimes, you might need help to make difficult decisions. Don’t hesitate to seek external support from a colleague, mentor, or coach. Talking through the pros and cons of a decision with someone else can provide clarity and fresh perspectives. A coach can help you develop decision-making frameworks and support you in building confidence around making choices.

7. Reflect on Past Decisions

Reflection is a powerful tool for improving decision-making. After making a decision, take some time to reflect on how it played out. What went well? What didn’t? This reflection will give you valuable insights for future decisions and help build your confidence over time.

During a coaching session with a client who was struggling with decision-making, we uncovered something that transformed the way they approached decisions at work. It turned out that the client was a big fan of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), a popular tabletop role-playing game that involves complex decision-making and problem-solving skills—something we both had in common.

As we explored this further, I showed the client that they already had the decision-making and puzzle-solving abilities they needed—they were just using them in a different context. In D&D, they were already making complex decisions about strategy, risk assessment, and teamwork without even thinking twice. The trick was to transfer those same skills to the workplace.

This was a real lightbulb moment for the client. They realised that the decision-making abilities they used in the game could be applied to their work tasks. They mentioned they would have never reached this realisation without coaching, as it helped them see their skills in a new light.

From that point, we focused on practical strategies to build on those strengths, and the client became much more confident in their decision-making at work.

Coaching can be a transformative tool in helping individuals manage executive functioning challenges. A coach can provide:

• Personalised strategies to help you improve your decision-making, organisation, and time management.
• Support and accountability to keep you on track and reduce procrastination.
• Tools and techniques to build self-awareness and reflect on your progress, so you can continuously improve.

At Remtek Workplace, we specialise in helping neurodiverse professionals navigate executive functioning challenges. By developing practical solutions and offering tailored support, we empower individuals to take control of their workdays and achieve greater success.

To learn more, email enquiries@remtekworkplace.com