In today’s world, we are often presented with endless opportunities for decision-making. There are the small, everyday decisions—grocery store purchases, deciding which streaming platforms to pay for, choosing a new vacuum cleaner—and then there are the larger, more important decisions. These could include car or house shopping, deciding when to retire, or choosing whether to move to a new state or country. With so many decisions cluttering your life, why not take financial planning choices out of the mix?

To clarify, I’m not saying you will never have to make decisions related to investing or finances. However, with proper planning and trustworthy support from a qualified financial advisor, your decision-making should be minimal. For the most part, you should be able to sit back, let the market ebb and flow, and occasionally check in with your financial advisor to ensure you’re on the right track and nothing needs to be rebalanced or restructured.

How can you reach this point? How can you put yourself on a financial path that requires very few decisions? I suggest taking the following four actions:

Work With a Trustworthy Financial Advisor

This may seem like an obvious first step, but you may be surprised by how many people try, and fail, to DIY their financial planning. Unless you have a background in finance and/or are very well-read on the subject, it if difficult to put together a logical, comprehensive financial plan. Very few people outside of the financial planning industry understand the nuances of tax code, properly balancing a portfolio, estate planning, and more.

Furthermore, investment and other financial decisions are some of the most important choices you will make in your life, so why not hire an expert?

Create a Diverse, Recession-Proof Plan

When you are planning an investment portfolio, it is essential to properly diversify so that you are prepared to weather whatever storm comes your way. That could include personal emergencies (a new roof, healthcare bills), big expenses (a child’s daycare or college tuition), or national turmoil (such as a recession). My clients are generally not bothered by life’s ups and downs because they have a diversified portfolio that is designed to withstand volatility. This allows them to focus on the things that truly matter in life, rather than worrying about their finances. Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio with your advisor can help ensure it remains properly diversified and aligned with your long-term goals.

Automate Your Savings and Investments

Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your investment accounts can make saving and investing effortless. This “pay yourself first” approach ensures your money is working for you, even when you’re not actively thinking about it. Automating your finances also helps prevent emotional decision-making. When the market is volatile, it can be tempting to make rash choices (like opting to not fund your 401k), but with an automated system in place, you’re less likely to make impulsive moves that could jeopardize your long-term financial goals.

Think Long-Term

In my experience, the least-stressed investors I know are those who take a long-term approach when it comes to investing. They understand that market fluctuations are normal and that trying to time the market is an exercise in futility. Instead, they stay the course, confident that over the long run, their diversified portfolio will grow and provide the financial security they need. This long-term mindset allows them to avoid the stress and anxiety that can come with constantly monitoring their investments and making reactive decisions. By taking a patient, disciplined approach, they can focus on living their lives rather than constantly worrying about their money.

You likely already are experiencing decision fatigue, so why add your financial planning to the pile? By taking a few smart steps and committing to a long-term perspective, you can reduce the number of financial decisions you’ll need to make. This allows you to focus your mental energy on the things that truly matter in life, rather than constantly fretting about money. With the right strategies in place, you can achieve financial security and peace of mind.

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