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Power of one
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your choices
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There is no one big choice you can make that will propel you to your goals. Who you are, where you’re going and what you achieve are determined by countless choices and decisions you make every day, many of them so small you may not even be aware of them. For example, each morning when you wake up, you can choose to be:

  • Cheerful
  • Gloomy
  • Rude
  • Courteous
  • Loving
  • Hateful
  • Cooperative
  • Obstinate
  • Positive
  • Negative
  • Carefree
  • Cautious

The idea is to realize that every choice, no matter how insignificant, influences your path in life. The bottom line: the better your choices, the better your chances.

You may know someone who always seems to make poor choices, then wonders why life turns out the way it does. Maybe he hasn’t set clear goals or priorities. Maybe he suffers from low self-esteem. Maybe he just doesn’t stop and think before acting. Whatever the reason, making poor choices is a habit that can be changed just like any other.

Are you cognizant of your choices and how they affect your life? Assess your own choice-making habits with this quick quiz:

Which statement is most accurate for you?
a.    I have a pretty good idea of what I want my life to look like in five years.
b.    I’m not sure of my goals, but I’m working on them.
c.     I’m waiting to see what everyone else does before making any big decisions about college or career.

Before making a big decision, I:
a.    Research the facts.
b.    Go with my gut.
c.     Ask my parents for advice.

When it comes to risk, I:
a.    Weigh the potential pitfalls against the benefits.
b.    Don’t worry about it too much; you only live once.
c.     Avoid it at all costs.

When I make a mistake, I:
a.    Correct it and learn from it.
b.    Vow never to do it again.
c.     Try to hide it.

How did you do?

  • If you picked mostly a’s, you tend to have a healthy, constructive approach to making choices.
  • If you picked mostly b’s, you are aware of the importance of your choices, but you may need to work on your decision-making process and how you react to outcomes.
  • If you picked mostly c’s, it may be time to get serious about your goals and the choices you make to achieve them.

 

 

 

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