The Choices We Made

It's interesting that we all came into this world the same way, yet the choices we made throughout our life journey, is the result of what we are and what we do. Each of our choices starts a behavior and overtime that behavior becomes a habit. The trick here is whether we allow that behavior to work for us, or work against us. Another option of course is to not choose at all, therefore you allow yourself to receive whatever comes your way – whether it be good or bad.

One of the biggest problems we face as human beings is that most of the times we are not even aware of the choices we made in the past. Now when we make choices unconsciously, we cannot consciously choose to change the ineffective behavior we might have, to then turn it into a productive habit.

An example of an unconscious bad behavior we all have to some extent is to spend money on things we really don’t need. Let me show you a little trick that will help you save some money, which of course is more important now more than ever, as the world is going through a global economic recession.

Wherever you go, I want you to have a small notebook, small enough that you can put it in your pocket, or bag, and carry it everywhere you go. Now whenever you pull out your purse or wallet to spend money, I want you to write it down in your little notepad, using it like a little journal. Jot down the amount, what the money was for and when and where you spent it. Do this for a whole month and then look back at what you have spent your money on.

What you will find in the above example is that as the days go by, and you are writing away, where your money goes, you start to be more aware of the many unconscious decisions you had been making before. Since now you have to write everything down, you will be judging yourself whether you really need to take out your little notebook in the first place, and whether you really need to spend the money on the things you are about to spend it on.

Do this long enough and you create a conscious habit of not spending your money for needless things. And guess what, at the end of each month, you will have money available to invest in your future, rather than on petty things that you didn’t even want in the first place, that is a guarantee!!!

The next choice I want you to think over, and gradually take into effect, is more demanding but also a lot more rewarding. I want you to think back roughly three years ago, and evaluate your life as it was then. Remember the income you were receiving, the physical shape you were in, your eating habits, your relationships, how happy and fulfilled you were, and in general your overall lifestyle.

Now for the big question. "Are you better off now than you were three years ago, and if so in what categories of your life?"

If you are, then carry on what you are doing. But if you are not in at least one category, then do yourself a favor and make the choice to change, at least one thing at a time, for your own benefit. Write down the following (or print):

Take the above categories for now, and rate yourself (no cheating, I want the truth). Now write doing the choices of habits and behaviors you are going to make in order to become a better person and stick to it. Remember that for a habit to start, you need to do the same thing over and over for at least 21 days (so the experts say).

Recently I have given up smoking, changed my eating habits and added more physical fitness in my weekly agenda.

The question is, “what will you do”? – For YOU!!!

"You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay?" - Jim Rohn

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