[MostExtremeCake]

Here is a pertinent wikipedia article with some links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_depletion

It's interesting how this applies to more trivial things, like trying to keep yourself from laughing.

Would it be a stretch to say that this supports the idea that we should automate as much of our lives as possible? If I don't have to decide to put a certain amount of my paycheck in savings every time I get it, and it happens automatically, I could potentially reserve that energy for another decision-based task.

[SatvikBeri]

Not a stretch at all-I have become massively more productive since automating the simple things in my life, not because it saved any amount of time (maybe 45 mins/day), but because it saved so much of my mental energy.

Even getting a GPS made me more productive at work, because figuring out directions is mentally exhausting for me.

Willpower is also directly linked to glucose. I tried eating more low glycemic index foods and eating somewhat sugary stuff when I was mentally exhausted, and it has worked wonders.

[AndrewDucker]

Absolutely. If you want to be good at something, or to do it continually, then make it a habit that requires no thought (or as little as possible).