As you proceed along your chosen path, each and every minute brings an opportunity to make a decision that could possibly affect the rest of your life.
For instance, you could decide not to breathe! That would affect the rest of your life! You could decide to take a risk and step out of your comfort zone to speak to the person of your dreams standing next to you in line at the store. You might even find that this person might be looking for you! Would that change your life? You bet!
How about a decision that is more consciously made? What if you thought you needed to move to a new place, find new work, find a new mate, or thousands of other life altering decisions you could make?
My question to you is: How do you make those decisions? What tool or tools do you use to help you make a decision that will affect the rest of your life, not to mention those lives you might feel responsible for like your spouse and children? Such a tool, if used correctly, might possibly be one of the most important to own.
Here are two tools. I’ve discussed them before, however, given their importance, here they are again in case you missed them the first time around!
The first tool, Values; define your top four or five values. When you make a decision, run that decision by your values. If your decision does not meet all your values, you must consider it very carefully. If you do something that does not honor your values, then you are tearing apart your Self, and doing something that goes against who you are. You can do it, but at what price.
The second tool, Define Success. How can you achieve it if you do not know what it is?
Complete this sentence three times.
I know I am successful when I …
This is not an easy exercise; so do not give up easily! Once you define success for your Self, then you can ensure success by making every decision count for that success and not against it. It is important that you define success in terms you can control! For instance, the following are not in your control and therefore are subject to failure.
I know I am successful when I …
am financially independent
my wife loves me
my children grow up to be successful
Turn these statements around to read:
I know I am successful when I …
live within my means and do my best to ensure financial independence
do my best to earn my wife’s love
provide my children with the best opportunity to ensure their success however they define it
Make sense? Define your values and success for you, and you will have the tools you require to ensure every decision you make is another step in the ladder of a life built on your values and your definition of success. This brings about the life that I believe we all seek. One filled with happiness, joy and love.
Watch for free upcoming teleclasses on both of these tools!
About the Author
Miami Phillips is an ANSIR Certified Personal Coach who believes personal growth is an essential ingredient to being happy and contributing to this world.