What’s one lifehack that was shared by three influential leaders: Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg?
All three of them are known for wearing almost the same outfit every day, inadvertently creating their own personal brand.
Why?
One of them said, "To reduce decision fatigue and free up mental energy for more important tasks."
What is decision fatigue?
It refers to a state of mental exhaustion that occurs after making too many decisions, especially when those decisions are complex or significant.
In the digital realm, users encounter countless decisions daily, such as which buttons to click, which boxes to check, and which forms to fill out that leads to cognitive overload. As designers, how can we simplify the users' experience and make their decision-making process a no-brainer?
Let's discuss a few tips based on real-life scenarios.
UX Psychology Principles Table
| No. | Principle | Why It Matters | Example | UI Tip |
|---|
| 1 | Limit the number of choices presented | Too many options can confuse users. | A restaurant menu with 50 soups is harder to choose from than one with 5. | Limit visible options. Show a few filters first; hide the rest under “See More.” |
| 2 | People rely on fast, emotional thinking | Most decisions are made quickly, not logically. | People often pick cereals based on the design, not ingredients. | Use bold visuals, headings, and images to guide instinctive choices. |
| 3 | People avoid complex thinking or math | Users skip hard work when choosing. | Most won’t calculate cost-per-use before buying. | Highlight savings clearly, like “Buy 2, get 1 free” or “Save ₹500 annually.” |
| 4 | People respond better to stories than data | Stories help users relate, understand context, and feel confident. | “This backpack survived my Himalayan trek” feels more real than “Rated 4.5 stars.” | Add short customer stories or case studies. |
| 5 | People follow the default option | Defaults feel like safe, recommended choices. | Most people stick with the pre-selected flight seat. | Set default options like pre-selecting the best-selling product or plan. |
| 6 | People want to feel in control | Users enjoy making even small choices. | People prefer building their own burger to choosing a fixed combo. | Allow DIY options, filters, and undo features in forms/apps. |
| 7 | People decide by comparing options | Side-by-side comparisons make decisions easier. | Buyers compare two laptops directly in stores. | Use comparison tables or cards to show features side by side. |
| 8 | People need to justify decisions | Users want to feel smart and confident in their choices. | “It lasts longer, so it’s worth it” justifies buying an expensive jacket. | Emphasize benefits, quality, or popularity to support user reasoning. |
| 9 | Highlight potential losses over gains | Fear of missing out drives faster action. | “Only 1 left in stock” motivates more than “New stock coming soon.” | Use urgency phrases like “Offer ends tonight” or “Items may sell out soon.” |
| 10 | People follow others’ behavior | Social proof influences decisions. | A crowded food stall attracts more people than an empty one. | Add “Most popular,” “500+ bought today,” or photo reviews to build trust. |
If the famous poet Robert Frost were to summarize this blog in his words, he might say something along the lines of:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and
the user took the one more traveled by,
And that has avoided all the confusion!”
If you had to wear the same outfit every day, which one would you choose?
Happy Decision Making!
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