Overview
A list of a general-purpose decision criteria — the anchor I can use for the rest of my life. Each is psychologically grounded, addressing my real patterns.
Criterion 1 — Alignment With My Core Values
Purpose
To make sure I’m not doing something just because someone told me to, which prevents:
- Being controlled by others’ expectations
- Short-term emotional decisions
Questions
Does this reflect who I want to be?
Does this align with my definition of a meaningful life?
Criterion 2 — Emotional Energy & Well-being
Purpose
To measure what actually nourishes me, which prevents:
- Burnout
- Staying in draining environments / relationships
Questions
Does this give me energy or drain me?
Do I feel alive, curious, grounded, or motivated?
Criterion 3 — Long-Term Identity Alignment
Purpose
To anchor the decision in who I’m becoming, which prevents:
- Decisions that feel good now but collapse later
- Inconsistency
Questions
Does this move me closer to the person I want to become in 3–5 years?
Does future-me thank me for this?
Criterion 4 — Learning & Growth Potential
Purpose
To choose paths that expand me, which prevents:
- Stagnation
- Staying in my comfort zone
Questions
Will this stretch my skills, emotional maturity, or worldview?
Does this help me evolve?
Criterion 5 — Relationship Quality & Human Environment
Purpose
To assess the people context around the choice, which prevents:
- Ending up in toxic environments / relationships
- Letting others’ chaos affect your choices
Questions
Are the people involved supportive, respectful, and stable?
Will I grow or shrink around them?
Criterion 6 — Practical & Financial Reality
Purpose
To keep my decisions realistic and sustainable, which prevents:
- Over-idealistic choices
- Regret from overlooked consequences
Questions
Does this fit my resources (money, time, energy, commitments)?
Is this practically viable for my life situation?
Criterion 7 — Opportunity Cost & Regret Profile
Purpose
To evaluate the future emotional consequences of each option, which prevents:
- Fear-based decisions
- FOMO-driven panic
Questions
What will I regret NOT doing?
Which choice feels like growth, not avoidance?
Criterion 8 — Stability vs. Risk Balance
Purpose
To calibrate decisions based on your current emotional season, which prevents:
- Taking risky leaps when I need grounding
- Playing it too safe when I actually need change
Questions
Do I need stability right now, or do I need disruption to break a stuck pattern?
Does this choice match my emotional and life readiness?