20,000 decisions per day – A daily marathon for our brain

20,000 decisions per day - A daily marathon for our brain 

It's an incredible number that's often cited: 20,000 decisions are said to be made by each person every day. That sounds like a brain marathon with no breaks, except we're not running for medals here, but stumbling through life—sometimes more, sometimes less gracefully.

When you think about it, it's actually an insanely large amount. Even if you count simple decisions like "snooze or get up?" or "coffee or tea?" there's still a dizzying number left that seemingly turns our everyday life into an endless playing field of possibilities. But how do we manage that? That's hardly feasible!

Eight Hours of Sleep - The Saving Island

Fortunately, we also sleep. This means that these 20,000 decisions don't occupy us in 24 hours, but in about 16 hours. We rest for 8 hours - well, at least we hope so. Sometimes you think that you even have to make decisions in your sleep, like whether to kick off the blanket or snuggle up. But let's stay optimistic and say: 8 hours of sleep, 16-hour decision marathon.

If we break it down, it means: Every 3 seconds the next decision is due. Just think about it! Making a new choice every 3 seconds, as if you are the star of a continuous concert where the next song is constantly being started. That sounds crazy, doesn't it?

The brain - a survival artist in a state of emergency 

Let's assume that we really had to make every one of these decisions consciously. That would be like our brain running at full speed all day long—like a high-performance computer that works nonstop and consumes more and more energy. It would be like trying to run a marathon at sprint pace. At the latest by halfway through, you would be completely exhausted. And that's exactly what would happen to our brain: it would be in a state of emergency and we would be totally overwhelmed. No chance of holding on!

Here's the good news: Our brain is a real survival expert. It knows exactly when to hit the emergency brake and how to protect itself from collapsing. The solution? Automation and intuition!

The belly takes over

There are days when you feel like you have a second boss: your gut. And I'm not talking about that little extra kilo that came along after the last snack attack. No, this is about the famous gut feeling. Because it is this gut feeling that takes care of a large part of our daily decisions while the mind takes a well-deserved break.

Our brain has developed a brilliant system over the course of evolution that is geared toward efficiency. Conscious decisions—the truly big, important questions of life—always require the cooperation of our cerebral cortex. This is, so to speak, the board of directors in the head, which has the final say in important decisions. But let’s be honest: How often in a day are we really faced with life-changing decisions? Most of the time, it's more about whether we wear the red or the blue tie today or whether we take out the trash now or later—so, more like trivial stuff.

Automation - The Energy Consumer in Standby Mode

This is where automation comes into play. Our brain is quite clever at developing routines. The more we automate things, the less we have to think about them. Just like a well-oiled engine. It saves energy - and nerves! When we repeatedly make the same decisions, our brain outsources these processes to deeper, more energy-efficient areas. The basal ganglia, deep inside the brain, take over. These structures are like the autopilot of an airplane - they keep things running while the pilot, the cerebral cortex, grabs a coffee.

The basal ganglia operate completely unconsciously, yet they account for over 90% of our daily decisions. Yes, you heard right: Over 90%! It's as if your gut feeling could write its own résumé: "Experience in quick decision-making: more than 90% of all cases." It's like your gut has a built-in navigation system that guides you through the day while you can take care of the really important things - like the best way to the next coffee break. 

Saving Energy - Not Just a Trend in the Modern World

What we encounter today in the news as environmental and energy-saving tips, our brains have been equipped with for millennia. Energy saving was crucial for survival in the past. Just imagine: Our ancestors couldn't simply order a pizza when they were hungry. Every calorie counted, and the brain knew that. It was a real advantage to be able to automate decisions, because less thinking meant less energy consumption - and that was vital for survival back then.

Today, while it's unlikely that a saber-toothed tiger will ambush us, the principle remains the same. Whether it's about surviving in the wild or getting through a workday, quick, automated decisions are key. Especially in dangerous situations where instant reactions are crucial, overthinking can be fatal. That's why evolution has programmed our brains to react instantly in critical moments - with gut instinct. 

Automatic Processes - Invisible Decision-Makers in the Background

Automated decisions have another remarkable characteristic: They happen completely unconsciously. While you are considering what to cook for dinner, your gut has already decided it will be pizza – and that, before your head even realizes it's hungry.

Many of these decisions we don't even notice. We automatically turn left when driving home without thinking about it. And even when we consciously perceive a decision, like choosing an employee, our gut feeling is often a nose ahead. Sometimes we are sure that we have already made a decision, but why, we cannot exactly explain. We then think we have made a rational decision, but in reality, our gut feeling has already done the work.

Our brain loves to standardize and automate decision-making processes. This saves energy, time, and, above all, mental capacity. That's why our consciousness increasingly retreats and leaves routine decisions to the autopilot. 

Conscious Decisions - When the Board Takes Over

Of course, there are moments when we urgently need the cerebral cortex, our "board of directors in the head." In truly big, significant decisions that can change our lives, it is needed. That's when the convenience of autopilot is over. The basal ganglia can lean back, and the brain starts the full thinking process. This is the moment when we really take the time to weigh all the options and consider what the best choice is.

However, the more the decision-making process is automated, the less the board needs to intervene. And that's a good thing, because otherwise we would quickly be overwhelmed. Every manager knows that division of labor and delegation are the keys to success - and that's exactly what our brain does. Good decisions are based on a mix of cognitive and automated processes, essentially a successful collaboration between the head and the gut.

The conclusion - Trust your gut feeling (but not always) 

At the end of the day, it's comforting to know that we don't solely rely on our intellect, but our gut does a lot of the work. However, this doesn't mean we should completely turn off our minds. It's about finding the right balance. Trust your gut feeling for everyday decisions—your brain will thank you. But when it really matters, when the decisions are bigger than choosing dinner, then the boardroom in your head should take over.

Remember: Your brain is a true marvel. It manages to make 20,000 decisions a day without driving you crazy. Most of the work is done by your intuition, and that's a good thing. This way, you have more energy for the truly important things in life - like the next coffee or pizza. After all, you have to stay fit for the next 20,000 decisions!

Dr. Verena Utikal - Professor of Behavioral Economics 

How we humans make decisions is based on a very well-coordinated system. Nevertheless, we are constantly faced with very challenging and serious decisions in life! It can help to exchange ideas with others or seek advice. And even when the right decision has been made, it sometimes seems difficult to implement it in everyday life - ingrained routines are often very strong and hinder the adoption of new behaviors. 

Reading tip on the topic:

Fast Thinking, Slow Thinking. Siedler Verlag, Munich, 2012, ISBN 978-3-88680-886-1 

Original: Daniel Kahneman: Thinking, Fast and Slow. Macmillan, 2011, ISBN 978-1-4299-6935-2

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