The Freedom of Choice

“My choices determine how I feel and the space I’m in.”

Does our well-being, how we feel about ourselves really come down to this simple and powerful statement? I think it could. Last week I completely overcommitted myself, powering through all my activities, resulting in exhaustion and grumpiness. All because of my choices.

The freedom of choice is not easy to embrace when we are moving fast and furious, multitasking and focused on getting it all done. When we take responsibility for our choices we can avoid or at least minimize the overwhelm, resentment and frustration we create when we don’t.

Here are 5 choices you can make (proactively) to exercise your freedom, which are not new, but are worth reviewing since I know all too well how easy they are to forget:

1. Slow Down.
When you are in a rush you can’t make the best choices because you are on autopilot, treating everything the same, forgetting what is most important. You can’t determine what is most important if you don’t slow down and connect with yourself.

2. Time Block.
Schedule all your activities and add in prep, travel, and think time so that you can be realistic about how long things take. This is especially important if you underestimate how long things take.

3. Keep Your Word.
Keep your promises and start with yourself. You will be more successful when you are conservative with your time and energy commitments (saying no) by practicing #1 and #2.

4. Simplify.
You complicate things when you try to do more and be more to everyone and everything. Keep it simple so you can be fully present to connect and engage in everything that you determine is most important.

5. Be Gentle.
This is an ongoing practice, and you will mess up, just like I did. When you learn and grow from your mistakes, you can make a better choice next time.

Taking responsibility for your choices means recognizing you are the common denominator in every relationship and event in your life. This is good news since you will experience awe, joy and fulfillment when you choose the things that help you feel good about yourself. This is the freedom of choice.