Why Decision Fatigue Feels Like Future Shock

Why Decision Fatigue Feels Like Future Shock

I was watching a YouTube video by David Burkus titled “Why Are You So Tired at Work?” (which is well worth the 8 minutes) when something clicked. Burkus dives into the science of decision fatigue—the mental exhaustion that comes from making too many choices. Suddenly, I had a déjà vu moment.

Years ago, I read Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock, a book from the 1970s that explored how rapid societal change causes confusion, anxiety, and disorientation. Could there be a connection between Toffler’s insights and the research Burkus was referencing? Spoiler alert: Absolutely.

Here’s a breakdown of how these ideas connect—and why it matters to us today.

1. The Overload Problem

Toffler coined the term Future Shock to describe the stress and disorientation caused by too much change happening too quickly. Back then, he was talking about technological advances, shifting societal norms, and the flood of choices people were beginning to face. Sound familiar?

Decision fatigue is what happens when this overload hits your brain’s processing limits. Every decision—big or small—requires energy. And when we’re forced to make too many choices in a day, we run out of steam. Toffler described the same phenomenon but at a societal level: a world bombarded by constant novelty leaves people exhausted and unable to adapt.

2. Too Many Choices, Not Enough Energy

Toffler warned of choice overload: the paralyzing effect of having too many options. New technologies, social norms, and consumer choices exhausted people in the ’70s. Fast forward to today, and this has only amplified.

Research on decision fatigue shows that making too many decisions in too short a time - whether it’s picking a lunch spot or solving work problems—drains our mental resources. Just like Toffler’s Future Shock victims, we’re left feeling stuck or making impulsive, low-quality decisions.

3. Cognitive Overwhelm is Real

Both Future Shock and decision fatigue highlight one truth: our brains aren’t built for the pace of modern life. Toffler described how people lose their ability to process and adapt when overwhelmed by rapid change. Today, decision fatigue provides a scientific explanation for this: as we make decisions throughout the day, our cognitive capacity diminishes, leaving us fatigued and prone to mistakes.

4. Behavioral Consequences

The parallels don’t stop at exhaustion—they also show up in how we behave.

• Toffler’s world: Anxiety, indecision, and a sense of helplessness.

• Burkus’ research: Poor decision-making, procrastination, and burnout.

In both cases, the root issue is the same: an overloaded brain that can’t keep up with its environment.

What Can We Do?

The good news is that we can take steps to counter both Future Shock and decision fatigue:

• Simplify Your Choices: Reduce decision-making where you can. Automate routines (like meal prep or clothing choices) to save mental energy for more important decisions. Flip a coin – for some things just trying it will let you know if it works or needs a slight pivot.

• Set Boundaries for Change: Toffler argued for stability in times of rapid evolution. Find anchors and routines in your life—habits, values, or trusted relationships—that keep you grounded amid change.

• Protect Your Cognitive Resources: Recognize that decision-making power is finite. Save big decisions for when you’re mentally fresh, typically early in the day. Delegate and learn to use AI for what it can do better than you.

• Take Breaks: Both Toffler and modern psychologists emphasize the need to recharge. Step away from decision-heavy tasks to reset your mental energy.

Bringing it All Together

Toffler’s Future Shock was ahead of its time in diagnosing the stress of a rapidly changing world. Today, decision fatigue gives us a more focused lens for understanding the same challenge. Whether it’s the 1970s or the 2020s, the lesson is clear: too much change and too many decisions can leave us mentally and emotionally drained.

But by simplifying our choices, managing our energy, and grounding ourselves in stability, we can avoid the pitfalls of Future Shock and thrive in a world of endless options.

Feeling decision-fatigued yourself? Maybe it’s time to take a page from Toffler’s book—and Burkus’ research—and give your brain a break.

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