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Using the “All Things Considered” Approach to Making Decisions - Decision-making is one of the most fundamental aspects of daily life. From small choices like what to eat, to life-defining decisions such as where to live or whom to trust, our outcomes often rest on the quality of our thought process. One of the most grounded and useful methods of decision-making is the “all things considered” approach. It emphasizes evaluating a situation holistically, balancing emotion, reason, practicality, and consequences.
What Does “All Things Considered” Really Mean?
The phrase implies stepping back and looking at the full picture. It means taking into account not just what feels good, or what looks appealing on the surface, but what makes sense when you weigh everything that matters—short-term and long-term effects, your values, your responsibilities, and the ripple effects on your life and others.
Instead of being impulsive, one-sided, or purely reactive, this approach invites patience and perspective.
Why This Method Matters
In a world driven by speed and shortcuts, we often rush decisions, influenced by stress, convenience, peer pressure, or fleeting emotions. The "all things considered" approach acts as a brake on those reactions. It encourages reflection before commitment.
It allows space for nuance. Life is rarely black and white, and most important decisions lie in the gray area. This mindset accepts complexity and doesn’t oversimplify.
How to Apply the “All Things Considered” Approach
1. List the Factors
Start by identifying what’s at stake. What are the possible outcomes? Who or what will be affected? What are your priorities?
Include both tangible and intangible elements—financial cost, emotional toll, personal growth, social impact, time, energy, and opportunity cost.
2. Get Out of the Moment
When we’re caught up in the heat of a moment—stress, excitement, fear—we often distort the importance of certain factors. Give yourself space to breathe. Distance brings clarity.
Consider: Will this matter in a week? A year? Five years?
3. Consult Without Outsourcing
It’s helpful to ask trusted others for input, but be careful not to hand them your decision. Use feedback to broaden your perspective, not to escape your responsibility to choose.
4. Test It Against Your Values
Your decision should not only solve a problem or offer a benefit—it should align with who you want to be. If you value honesty, compassion, courage, or autonomy, ask yourself how your choice reflects those principles.
5. Factor in the Unknown
No decision is made with perfect foresight. But “all things considered” also means accounting for uncertainty. What are the best- and worst-case scenarios? What will you do if things don’t go as planned?
Resilient decisions are those made with contingency thinking—you hope for the best, but prepare for the unknown.
When to Use This Approach
Choosing between job offers or career paths
Deciding to end or repair a relationship
Making a big financial investment
Considering a move or major lifestyle change
Weighing ethical dilemmas
Responding to emotional triggers
What This Approach Isn’t
It’s not overthinking. Overthinking is spinning in circles, paralyzed by fear or perfectionism. “All things considered” is intentional, not obsessive. It’s a process that ends in action.
It’s not emotionless. Your feelings are part of the picture—just not the whole picture.
It’s not about waiting forever. Once you’ve gathered enough insight and clarity, the next step is to act with confidence in the judgment you’ve made.
Final Thought
In a world that rewards quick wins and instant gratification, the “all things considered” approach is a quiet act of strength. It reflects maturity, wisdom, and depth. You’re not just chasing what’s shiny or avoiding discomfort—you’re building a life based on reflection, purpose, and integrity.
Not every decision needs to be perfect. But when it’s made by weighing what truly matters, it can be trusted, even if the outcome is uncertain. That kind of decision-making builds not only better results—but a better self.
