--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In an environment where there are too…" description: "\"“In an environment where there are too many choices, too many decisions, too much information, and too many demands on our cognition, it pays to be jud..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg" --- # In an environment where there are too many choices, too… ![“In an environment where there are too many choices, too many decisions, too much information, and too many demands on our cognition, it pays to be judicious about the complexity we voluntarily sign up for. When we make the decision to streamline our lives, we also create time and room to think…” quote by Rebecca D. Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg) > ““In an environment where there are too many choices, too many decisions, too much information, and too many demands on our cognition, it pays to be judicious about the complexity we voluntarily sign up for. When we make the decision to streamline our lives, we also create time and room to think with focus and intent. In a complex world, time to stand back and look at the big picture, time to consider our options more carefully, time to make more deliberate decisions, and time to breathe are necessities for survival.”” Rebecca D. Costa ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In a world saturated with options and information, simplifying life and focusing intentionally creates mental space and clarity essential for well‑being. **In simple terms:** Simplify to regain mental clarity. Key Takeaway Prioritize and streamline daily commitments. Themes simplicity focus decision‑making mental health time management well‑being Mood thoughtful calm Type big picture:1 choice:1 decision making:1 focus:1 life:1 psychology:1 time:1 too much information:1 make decision:1 time consider:1 deliberate decisions:1 complexity voluntarily:1 demands cognition:1 When to use this quote - personal budgeting - digital declutter - mindful scheduling - goal setting Key Concepts cognitive load mindfulness prioritization strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - What truly deserves your attention? - How can we simplify without losing richness? A Different Perspective Over‑simplification can ignore valuable complexities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big picture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-picture/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“When you streamline your schedule by making deliberate decisions about tasks and activities that are crucially important you and identify your most important priorities,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-connor/when-you-streamline-your-schedule-by-making-deliberate-decisions/) [Julie Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-connor/) > [The people themselves, and not their servants, can safely reverse their own deliberate decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-people-themselves-and-not-their-servants-can-safely-reverse-their/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Success in any endeavor does not happen by accident. Rather, it’s the result of deliberate decisions, conscious effort, and immense persistence...all directed at specific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-in-any-endeavor-does-not-happen-by-accident-rather-it-s-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A time for reflection, a time for preparation, a time to consider, a time for decision, a time to get time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punkinhead-abhishek/a-time-for-reflection-a-time-for-preparation-a-time-to-consider-a/) [Punkinhead Abhishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punkinhead-abhishek/) > [We all have exactly 24 hours in one day. No more; no less. You will use that time on what you consider to be important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-williams/we-all-have-exactly-24-hours-in-one-day-no-more-no-less-you-will-use/) [Craig Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-williams/) > [It is better to take time to consider before than to find time to repent after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/it-is-better-to-take-time-to-consider-before-than-to-find-time-to/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [1\_ There is a right time for everything, and everything happen at its only right time. 2\_There is a time to be born and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/1-there-is-a-right-time-for-everything-and-everything-happen-at-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The aim of demanding quick responses or decisions is to limit time to consider options.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/the-aim-of-demanding-quick-responses-or-decisions-is-to-limit-time-to/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [“There were certain moments upon which the whole of the future course of one's life might turn. And almost inevitably they popped out at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/there-were-certain-moments-upon-which-the-whole-of-the-future-course/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) > [“It often happens that men pull in a certain political, social, or familiar harness simply because they never have time to ask themselves whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kropotkin/it-often-happens-that-men-pull-in-a-certain-political-social-or/) [Peter Kropotkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kropotkin/) > [A fresh mind keeps the body fresh. Take in the ideas of the day, drain off those of yesterday. As to the morrow, time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-fresh-mind-keeps-the-body-fresh-take-in-the-ideas-of-the-day-drain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When dark clouds gather and on the horizon we see a storm coming, it is time to consider the most important things in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-agutter/when-dark-clouds-gather-and-on-the-horizon-we-see-a-storm-coming-it/) [Alastair Agutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-agutter/) > [Procrastination gives you time to consider divergent ideas, to think in nonlinear ways, to make unexpected leaps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-grant/procrastination-gives-you-time-to-consider-divergent-ideas-to-think/) [Adam Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-grant/) > [As I recall, my life as a child was so all-consuming that I barely had time to consider the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-johansen/as-i-recall-my-life-as-a-child-was-so-all-consuming-that-i-barely-had/) [David Johansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-johansen/) > [It is better to take time to consider, than find time to repent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/it-is-better-to-take-time-to-consider-than-find-time-to-repent/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) ## More Big picture quotes > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we're really trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/learn-to-see-the-big-picture-often-times-we-get-tunnel-vision-and/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [“Everything's a painting, anyway," Fawn said. "That's what I think. We live inside a giant painting, only we can't see who's holding the paintbrush.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-christo/everything-s-a-painting-anyway-fawn-said-that-s-what-i-think-we-live/) [Rose Christo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-christo/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) > [Sometimes we find ourselves stumbling over obstacles we face today but always see the big picture and keep moving forward. Have faith - someday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-krause/sometimes-we-find-ourselves-stumbling-over-obstacles-we-face-today/) [Tom Krause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-krause/) > [I think that the fact of the matter is that metal isn't really part of the big picture of the gay, lesbian, transgender music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/i-think-that-the-fact-of-the-matter-is-that-metal-isn-t-really-part/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [I am a bigger-picture manager because I've lived through something that's a big picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/i-am-a-bigger-picture-manager-because-i-ve-lived-through-something/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [“I suppose that was an example of close attention to detail that is common to writers and artists. It is imperative, whether consciously or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-winder/i-suppose-that-was-an-example-of-close-attention-to-detail-that-is/) [Elizabeth Winder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-winder/) > [“When she made her way to the big picture window that framed the dining room table she froze. She stopped breathing. The anger was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/when-she-made-her-way-to-the-big-picture-window-that-framed-the/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [Everyone is against micro managing but macro managing means you're working at the big picture but don't know the details.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-mintzberg/everyone-is-against-micro-managing-but-macro-managing-means-you-re/) [Henry Mintzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-mintzberg/) > [To be a good citizen, it's important to be able to put yourself in other people's shoes and see the big picture. If everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-pariser/to-be-a-good-citizen-it-s-important-to-be-able-to-put-yourself-in/) [Eli Pariser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-pariser/) > [It is important to ask yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and what purpose it serves in the big picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/it-is-important-to-ask-yourself-why-you-re-doing-what-you-re-doing/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It's not about winning and losing; it's about every day hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-sanders/to-be-a-champion-i-think-you-have-to-see-the-big-picture-it-s-not/) [Summer Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-sanders/) > [“I would love to tell you that being a content manager is easy. Straightforward. That you will be able to focus on what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-busche/i-would-love-to-tell-you-that-being-a-content-manager-is-easy/) [Laura Busche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-busche/) [Browse all 423 Big picture quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-picture/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In an environment where there are too many choices, too many decisions, too much information, and too many demands on our cognition, it pays to be judicious about the complexity we voluntarily sign up for. When we make the decision to streamline our lives, we also create time and room to think with focus and intent. In a complex world, time to stand back and look at the big picture, time to consider our options more carefully, time to make more deliberate decisions, and time to breathe are necessities for survival.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rebecca D. Costa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-d-costa/in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-many-choices-too-many-decisions/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big picture" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-d-costa/in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-many-choices-too-many-decisions/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/rebecca-d-costa-163146_big-picture_in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-ma_1173990.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In an environment where there are too many choices, too many decisions, too much information, and too many…” — Rebecca D. Costa", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rebecca D. Costa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-d-costa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“In an environment where there are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-d-costa/in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-many-choices-too-many-decisions/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-d-costa/in-an-environment-where-there-are-too-many-choices-too-many-decisions/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```