Choose to Make Choices (Not Decisions… )

“Successful people recognize crisis as a time for change – from lesser to greater, smaller to bigger.” – Edwin Louis Cole

There’s something to be learned from this quote, but there’s another way of looking at this that’s (potentially) evolutionary.

I have been re-listening to Thomas Leonard’s (excellent!) audio program, The 28 Principles of Attraction, in the car (and no, it has nothing to with The Secret, it’s all about doing… ) and one of Thomas’ principles is apropos.

Most crises are unnecessary. They are completely and utterly avoidable. The truth is that when issues, problems, questions-about-the-future are dealt with early and authentically, they never rise to the level of crisis.

The antidote is having a clear sense of what you want, what you’re going to do to get it and having the wherewithal to do what you can. Of course, things are beyond one’s control at times, but if we’re honest with ourselves we know there’s usually more we can be doing.

The question often is: what do I have to do here, what decision to I have to make? The better question is how did it get to the point of decision? Why didn’t I make a choice before, when things weren’t critical?

Making choices, well in advance of decisions, takes awareness. One must pay attention to the hints of resistance and ‘wrong-ness’ that always precede a “crisis” – Jack Canfield calls these “yellow alerts.”

Know what you want, pay attention to the subtle signals that pop up hinting that you’re on the wrong track with something (or missing out on something… ) and make choices – before you are forced to make decisions.

Similar Posts

  • What Stops You(?)

    In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. – Bill Cosby The interesting thing about fear of failure is that it’s just one form of the fear of change. What people really fear is change. Why? Because our emotional brain references ancient programming from early Man that…

  • Look Forward, Mostly

    Never look back unless you are planning to go that way. – Henry David Thoreau There’s a reason why the windshield is so much larger than the rear-view mirror. Ever think about why the rear-view mirror isn’t larger in a car? Probably not, because it’s just about the right size. We can learn a lot…

  • Even If You Did Half

    If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astonish ourselves. – Thomas Edison Yeah, doing everything you’re capable of would blow your doors off, but to even contemplate such is massive. Instead, just attempt half, or a quarter, or even an eighth of what you think you are capable of….

  • The Futility of Wishing

    It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. – Eleanor Roosevelt Let’s get clear on a few terms: wishing, wanting, hoping and desiring, planning and intending. They are all thoughts. Thoughts in your head that create emotions in your body. These emotions either create in-action or action (read on and I…

  • The Privilege of Pressure

    “Pressure is a privilege.” – Larry Fitzgerald I have two things to say about this quote: 1) I have a list of people I want to meet and Larry Fitzgerald is on it. I saw him interviewed on a Sunday pre-game program one time and was very impressed by his philosophy, hard work and desire…

  • Act As You Speak

    As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy When our words don’t match our actions we’re lying. Lying to, at least ourselves, but quite possibly others. Better to make small pronouncements and act accordingly, than speak…