How You Can Use Zero-Based Thinking
Have you ever felt stuck in something, a job, a routine, or a project, and wondered,
“Why am I even doing this anymore?”
That’s where zero-based thinking comes in. I first heard about this concept on the ChooseFI podcast, and I was intrigued.
The idea is simple:
Knowing what you know now, would you still choose this?
It’s a question that cuts through sunk costs, guilt, and autopilot. The way they talked about it on the podcast was in terms of spending. In essence, knowing what I know now, would I spend my money in this way again? Which makes sense because the ChooseFI community is centered on attaining financial independence, but the question can go much broader.
What Is Zero-Based Thinking?
Zero-based thinking comes from the world of finance, specifically, zero-based budgeting, where every expense must be justified anew each period. Nothing gets a free pass just because it was in the last budget.
Applied to your life, it works like this:
If you were starting over today, knowing what you now know, would you still say yes to fill in the blank (this job, location, relationship, or habit)?
If the answer is no, then the next question becomes
What would you stop, change, or let go of?
How You Can Use It
If you’re feeling stuck or out of alignment, here’s how to bring zero-based thinking into your decision-making process:
1. Pick a Focus Area
Start small. Choose one part of your life or business:
- Your calendar
- A professional relationship
- A program or offer you’re running
- A recurring expense
- A personal habit or commitment
2. Ask the Question
“Knowing what I know now, would I still choose this?”
Try not to overthink it. Go with your gut. A hesitation is often a sign that something’s off.
3. Notice the Resistance
You might hear yourself say things like:
- “But I’ve already invested so much.”
- “It used to work great.”
- “What will people think if I stop?”
That’s sunk-cost bias talking. This is where you weigh what you’ve invested in the past over present and future costs and benefits. Zero-based thinking invites you to decide as if none of that mattered. Because moving forward with alignment matters more.
4. Choose Your Next Step
You don’t need to make a big, dramatic change. Just acknowledging what you wouldn’t choose again is powerful. Then you can decide:
- Do I want to release this?
- Shift how I’m doing it?
- Give it a time limit?
- Replace it with something more aligned?
Why It’s Worth Trying
We all evolve. But sometimes our lives don’t keep up with who we’ve become. Zero-based thinking helps you close that gap.
It’s not about being impulsive or burning it all down. It’s about checking in with yourself and making more conscious, present-day choices.
Try It Today
Pick one area of your life and ask:
“Knowing what I know now, would I still choose this?”
Then follow where that answer leads you.
