Decisions

I know what you’re thinking, “decisions? I think I already know how to make a decision.” But that isn’t the point. I am going to show you the importance of decisions and the huge influence that they can have on the direction of your life.

It’s three o’clock on a Monday Morning. You have class in five hours, but you can’t go to sleep until you finish the assignment that you’ve had two weeks to complete. Stressed, tired, and irritated, you begin to think about how you managed to get yourself into this situation, again. You may try and use the excuses, “I didn’t have enough time,” or “if only — didn’t happen to me, things would be different.” These may help you feel better in the moment, but the only person you’re fooling is yourself. The decisions you made during the day, and over the previous two weeks placed you in this situation. The decision you made to watch one more episode on Netflix, or the decision to sleep in until one in the afternoon is to blame.

Bill Gates’ first business failed.

Benjamin Franklin’s parents could only afford to keep him in school until the age of ten.

Thomas Edison failed over 1,000 times at creating the light bulb.

Vincent Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime.

These people had no reason to be successful. Nothing was given to them. They cut out all limiting excuses and made the decision to persevere and create the incredible lives that they went on to live.

Decisions do not necessarily have to apply to something physical. Decisions can also be made internally. You can make the decision to no longer accept certain things in your life, or make the decision to hold yourself to a certain standard. For example, many people choose to stay in contact with people who negatively influence their lives, or do not provide them with what they need. Many people do not realize that you can continue accepting this limiting influence on your life or you can make the decision to change something. This can also apply to the quality of your thoughts. You can choose to continue living your life with a negative mental attitude, or you can make the decision to think positively (I will speak on this in greater detail in a future post on the Law of Attraction).

Some people are what I like to call “decision-phobes.” They constantly avoid making decisions in the hope that someone or something will eventually make the decision for them, and provide them with an excuse. Excuses are one of the most effective and easiest ways to avoid making a decision. People constantly use excuses such as “I’m too tired,” “I don’t have the money,” “I still have time,” or “I would be able to do it if — hadn’t happened to me.” If you allow yourself to use these types of limiting excuses, you will become a victim of circumstances and you will not be in full control of your life.

Hopefully, by this point, you’ve realized how influential decisions can be in our lives. However, it is essential to realize that decisions are only effective if you are completely committed to them.

Make your decisions, stick by them, and begin living your life in the way that you truly desire.