The Effects of Choice

Where you are today is directly related to the choices you’ve made up to this point; one month, two weeks, last year and even a decade ago.

There are so many choices that we make everyday, some big, some small, conscious or subconscious. However, in our lives the choices we make dictate the path we take or the journey we are currently on. What books to read and learn from, mentors and role models, when to get married and have children, where to live and work.

“It’s a choice, not a chance that determines your destiny.” J. Nidetch

First, understanding and deciding what direction you are moving in or knowing your desired outcome will help you in making better choices.

For example, let’s take the popular weight loss goal. All of your meals and food choices need to be congruent with you desired outcome of losing weight. Not planning ahead is a choice and may cause you to make poor diet choices; the salad vs. the quick pickup burger. Some of this may appear to be very short term but what is the long term affect on your health is you are over weight or ignore the few pounds you put on each year?

Ignoring decisions is a choice. What declarations in your life have you been putting off? Are there any situations that need new outcomes? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. What needs to change in your life? What are you taking a stand on and deciding on today?

In summary, the key to making good choices is to know your desired outcome or the direction you are headed in. Without knowing that, it’s like walking around blind folded. Know where you are headed or your intentions and it becomes easier to make congruent decisions based on your desired outcome.

Flex up on your thinking

Don't you just detest the arrogance of those people who think they know all there is to know about the point you are trying to make.

You know when you are conveying an idea to someone, or you are trying to channel a person to consider something from a different angle. However they are too busy stomping over your input with their output which is at best incomplete. Yes the passionate ignoramus! Rigid, inflexible, crystallized in their thinking. They have a response to what has not even been said; and when they speak their ignorance is duly exposed. Teenagers are very good at this. They know everything - so they think. So when having a conversation with a teenager about any topic - leave them to insist on delivering their 360 degree knowledge - I guarantee you they will only get to 90 at best, and if they are really savvy 145!

If you think you have all the answers - you haven't. That is it - why? Because we all have something to learn, and our minds cannot cover all the bases. If you think you have all the answers, you may as well hibernate, because you cannot be helped - so you will be forgotten quickly. Next!

If you want to get the most out of life - you need to be flexible in your thinking. You must be open and aware. Life is dynamic; and so must your thinking. We cannot know what life will come to us with, but if we have an open mind we are in a better vantage point than if we have it all 'figured out'.

The Rules of Life (Templer, 2006) gives us a clear illustration. " The instant you have established yourself in a set pattern, you have set yourself up to be knocked of course" He goes on to encourage a close examination of our thinking. "Flexible thinking is like mental martial arts - being able to duck and weave, dodge and flow. Try to see life not as the enemy but as the friendly sparring partner. If you are flexible you will have fun stand your ground you are likely to get knocked about a bit".

If you are given an opportunity to get outside your own way of doing things, your own thinking - grab it with both hands - see how it pans out. You may not know it but it is a diamond opportunity.

Here are a couple of examples offered by Richard Templar on how you can test the flexibility of your thinking:

1. What sort of books do you read? Are they they same books you have been reading for the past few years?
2. Have you found yourself saying things like 'I don't know any people like that' or 'I don't go to those kind of places'
   

If this sounds familiar then it is time. Time to broden your mind and take the shackles of your thinking.