Often, whenever I have to make a huge decision, I put it off. I want to give myself as much time as possible to weigh the pros and cons, visualizing every outcome. And, to be very honest, the more complicated the decision is (Should I accept a new job? How should I handle this difficult convo with a friend? Should I throw caution to the wind, go wild and…get bangs?!), the more I’m tempted to busy myself with little, actionable items that don’t require much thought until my deadlines force me to actually confront the issue.

The problem with that? If I’m waiting until the end of the day, when I’m already worn out from putting out a dozen smaller fires, I may not be thinking clearly. I may feel the pressure to just decide and jump into something, just to move things forward—even though that’s the exact opposite of my intent.

According to a recent article in Better Homes & Gardens, I may be missing out on the optimal time of day to make decisions. If you wake up around 6 or 7 a.m., set aside some time to really focus on pull the trigger on that dilemma that’s plaguing you around 9—or any time soon after you wake up. “This is when levels of the hormone cortisol, which makes you feel more alert, are high and the sleep hormone melatonin are low,” the article states.

Later in the day, fatigue sets in, and that weariness can cloud your judgment, The Circadian Code author and Salk Institute for Biological Studies professor Satchin Panda, Ph.D., told the magazine.

If you’re aggressively pursuing a big goal, setting aside a few minutes in the morning to reinforce that goal and the step(s) you’ll be taking that day to move toward it—something authors and self-help gurus Rachel Hollis and Marie Forleo advocate doing—could be crucial to actually making that dream a reality. Think of it as setting your intention for the day, so your hours are more focused and meaningful. 

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Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash