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Where you are in life is the culmination of the decisions you have made in the past.  Where you will be in the future will be determined by the decisions you make from this point on.

I want you to really put some thought into what was said in the above paragraph.  This means that where you are is the result of “your decisions”!!!  Where you will be in the future will be the result of “your decisions”! Nobody else can make your decisions for you therefore; you are the master of your own destiny.

There is a great amount of power and responsibility in our everyday life that most of us never realize.  What we eat for breakfast is trivial for a day, but what about for a life time?  Do you think your health would be better if you ate oatmeal for breakfast every morning instead of fried bacon, donuts, and soda pop?

Even if you master every other success principle I offer in this blog, you are unlikely to reach your goals without the ability to make and commit to good decisions.

Studies have shown that successful leaders have the ability to make wise decisions quickly.  Following the method outlined below will give you the ability to do the same.

1-  Know Your Goals-  Keep a clear vision of what you want.

2-  Develop Good Habits-  By eliminating bad habits, and replacing them with good habits we reduce the effort involved in making everyday decisions.  Most of the decisions we make each day are on autopilot, meaning we don’t even realize we are making them.  These habits may include (just to list a few) what we eat, how we dress, brushing our teeth, when we sleep, and what kind of work out we do.

3-  Acknowledge the Alternatives-  Carefully examine all the options.

4-  Determine The Best Option-  Ask yourself which option is most congruent with your goals.

5-  Decide and Commit-  One of my favorite quotes on commitment comes from Stedman Graham in his book “You Can Make It Happen”, he says “I suggest you take a look at your next breakfast.  Check out your ham and eggs on the plate.  Now think about the source of the ham and the source of the eggs.  Then, consider this: that pig was fully committed, while the chicken was merely involved.”

It is not enough to be just involved.  You must be totally committed to your decision.  If changing your mind meant losing your life, you would be committed.  The answer is an obvious and resounding “yes!” 

I am not saying that you should go drive off a cliff because you change your mind.  In fact, if a better opportunity comes along I’d say go for it.  What I am really getting at is don’t give up because things get hard.  Be committed to yourself and to your dreams.  There is a huge difference in changing your mind because you gave up, and changing your mind to better yourself.

6-  Eliminate The All Or Nothing Attitude-  Too many people give up due to a setback, or mistake.  Everything doesn’t have to go perfectly.  In fact, it more than likely will not. 

warrior carries the attitude that they may not have won a battle but they will win the war.  This is the attitude you need to adopt when striving for you goals.  If you make a mistake, so be it.  It won’t be your last. Tomorrow is another day, and the sun will come up.  Keep going!  Keep refusing to give up, and you will reach your destination. 

7-  Take Small Steps-  You don’t eat the whole pie in one bite, nor can you reach your goals in one step.  Break it down and take one chunk at a time.

8-  Expect To Be Challenged-  There is rarely a time will everyone will agree with you.  Everyone has a different perspective and agenda for your life but, only you know what is truly best for you.  If you have weighed your options and have decided on one course you should be well prepared to stand your ground. 

Other people will challenge you.  However, when they see you are committed most of them will step out of the way.  If they do not, push past them anyway.  You are the only one who will pay the price of not living your dreams.

9-  Prepare Strategies For Overcoming Obstacles-  Make a best guess at the obstacles you will face, and come up with a plan on how to overcome them in advance. 

       
10-  Smile And Enjoy The Process-  You may be trying to achieve a goal, but the point is not just to reach the goal.  People who think this are missing the point.  The journey in itself should your highest reward.  Don’t forget to enjoy it.