Each human is endowed with a gift; a distinct ability that we use to shape our lives. This gift often lies unrecognized or unappreciated for its importance. However when it is seen for the powerful tool that it is, and when it is honed through attention and practice, it becomes the means by which we create the lives we desire. It’s that impactful.
And what is that gift?
Choice. It is said that each person makes over 30,000 choices each day. That’s a lot of choices! Just by sheer volume, you can see how decisive this is in creating the life we experience.
Here is a small vignette to illustrate the point:
Your alarm goes off at 5:30am.
- Do you hit the snooze button, or get up?
- Do you spend a moment in stillness and set an intention for the day or hit the ground running?
- Do you make your bed?
- Do you do yoga or pilates, or walk on the treadmill before starting your day?
- What do you choose to wear?
- Do you tell the people you love that you love them?
- Do you have breakfast or fast?
- Do you drive to work carefully, or do you drive aggressively?
Do you see how within just the first hour of waking up you’ve already made many choices that will impact how your day unfolds. From the foods we choose to eat, to the thoughts we choose to entertain, to the actions we choose to take, to how we choose to respond when things don’t go our way – our lives are created by our choices.
So if choices are that important, how do we learn to make good choices, especially if we were never taught how to do so?
It is a lifelong work-in-progress. But a great place to begin is by bringing awareness to your choices. Notice how they work out –
- Does that white chocolate Frappuccino with extra whip leave you feeling clear headed and full of energy, or does it just make you want to lie down and take a nap?
- When you receive a provoking email, do you fire off an immediate reply, or do you take a moment to pause and consider what your goal is in this situation?
- When you’re invited to an event you don’t care to attend, do you say yes anyway so you don’t hurt feelings, or do you respond politely but honestly and say no thank you.
No one but you can decide what choices serve you well, but I guarantee you this: You will experience more satisfaction, contentment, and joy when you are aware of your choices and note how they serve or do not serve you and your overall wellbeing.
No one is going to always make awesome choices, but there is a world of difference between just stumbling through life, like a ball bearing in a pinball game, and waking up to the power we have in the choices we make.
Want a better life? Focus on making conscious choices. You don’t have to get them all “right” to have a fabulous life. You’ll be astounded at the difference it makes.
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If you would like some help in learning how to make conscious decisions that will move you in the direction of your dreams, just schedule a FREE 30 minute call and we can explore how life coaching can be just what you need to empower you and give you the confidence you need to soar!
