When making decisions that impact student learning, college educators often consider previous experiences, precedent, common sense, and advice from colleagues. But how often do they consider theory? At a recent state-level educators' meeting, the authors of this article asked 50 student affairs educators about the use of theory in their practice. Less than 10 percent said they draw on theory to make decisions. The authors' view is that is not enough. Used in everyday problem solving and decision making, theory can help educators ask better questions, find better solutions, and make a lasting contribution to the lives of individual students and to education in general. In this article, the authors make their point by offering an analogy that demystifies theory for daily use. While their process may not be completely new, they believe it elevates practical applications of theory to a level that is not yet fully appreciated. (Contains 1 figure.)