 |
Making Powerful Life Choices
Author: Sharon Good  | Posted: 02-01-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 12 | Rating: (53)  (?) 
One of the hardest things we do in life is making choices and decisions. But it's also one of the most powerful. Choices are the hinges upon which the paths of our lives turn. You can probably remember a choice you made sometime in your life that set your life on a completely different course than if you had chosen one of the other options available to you.
We're faced with choices every day. Some are big, life-changing choices, but many are small, day-to-day ones. So how do you approach these different types of choices? How can you make the day-to-day choices without getting caught up in minutiae? How can you deal with choices in the moment while keeping the big picture in mind? When you've thought out the larger choices, which I'll call fundamental choices, you create a context for choosing that allows the smaller choices to fall into place more effortlessly.
Fundamental choices are based on knowing who you are and what truly matters most to you. These are the kind of choices that take time and contemplation. Who are you? What makes you really happy? If you could do anything with your life, what would it be? What do you need (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) to thrive, not just survive? What do you value, both in terms of what feels morally right to you and what makes you feel whole?
As I contemplated these questions, these are some of the fundamental choices I came up with:
~ I am someone who needs diversity.
~ I am someone who needs a creative outlet.
~ I am someone who needs to be stimulated and grow intellectually.
~ I am someone who needs to be physically and mentally healthy.
~ I am someone who needs to explore and be in touch with my spirituality.
~ I am someone who needs to be challenged.
~ I am someone who needs community.
~ I am someone who needs to feel loved and valued.
These choices provide a sort of compass upon which to gauge the choices that come up in life, something solid to balance the "shoulds and oughts" that bombard us and throw us off course. With these fundamental choices in place, I can go on to make specific choices about how I want my life to be:
~ Although I am ambitious in my work and have plenty to keep me busy, I make time for spiritual pursuits, fun and exercise.
~ I choose to pursue a variety of endeavors rather than focus on one, although I may never be as great an expert on any one.
~ Although I can get caught up at my computer till the wee hours, I also need a certain amount of sleep to function well, so I choose to turn off the computer at a certain time even though I want to do more.
~ I make my friends a priority because it feeds me emotionally and provides the community I crave.
~ I choose to live a balanced life rather than go for achievements and accolades at all costs.
Having thought these through, when a friend calls me to come out and play, I have specific criteria by which to decide whether my needs and values will be served better by spending time with my friend or getting some work done. It can help me see if I'm focusing too heavily on one area at the expense of another, and I can make choices to restore balance.
Choices can be challenging and demanding, and sometimes you feel like you'd just like to sit back and let someone else tell you what to do. But choice is a gift, and when you practice it regularly and see the ease with which your life begins to fall into place, you'll welcome it.
C 1998 - 2008 Sharon Good. All rights in all media reserved.
Sharon Good is a Life, Career and Creativity Coach located in New York
City. She specializes in working with creative people to clarify their
life and career goals and live their dreams. Sharon is the author of
several books, including “Managing With A Heart” and
“The Tortoise Workbook: Strategies for Getting Ahead at Your Own
Pace,” and teaches career workshops at the 92nd Street Y.
Sharon can be found at her website, www.goodlifecoaching.com
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/coaching-articles/making-powerful-life-choices-294982.html
About the Author:Sharon Good is a Life, Career and Creativity Coach located in New York
City. She specializes in working with creative people to clarify their
life and career goals and live their dreams. Sharon is the author of
several books, including “Managing With A Heart” and teaches career workshops at the 92nd Street Y.
Sharon can be found at her website, www.goodlifecoaching.com.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Who Will you be This Year?
By: Alexia Vernon | 08/01/2008 | Goal Setting
As my corporate and individual coaching clients know, while I believe in designing challenging and innovative action plans to achieve a myriad of aggressive and achievable business and personal goals, I ask my coachees not only to create powerful visions of “what” they want to accomplish and sustain but also ask them to consider “who” they will be when they have engineered their success.
How Do you Define Success?
By: Diane Dutton | 22/10/2007 | Self Improvement
Have you ever thought past getting a goal and actually living a successful life? This is the chance to look at success a little closer.
Alternatives to Being the Best
By: Mike Scantlebury | 15/04/2008 | Self Improvement
Every day is an adventure and every road we go down gives us a choice, which way to go next. What would you choose, good or bad, right or wrong, the worst or the best. Let's look at a few examples and see how frail and stupid we can all be, if we're determined and really put our minds to it. The alternative, of course, is always better, but how many of us can choose that route?
Dealing With Rejection
By: Sharon Good | 02/01/2008 | Coaching
We all hate rejection, maybe even fear it. And we all have to face it at some time in our lives.
Dance in the Sea of Love & Celebrate your Life
By: Kiernan Antares | 07/02/2008 | Spirituality
If we pay attention to the beat of our heart long enough we’ll be able to hear the rhythm that taps the code to unlocking our true self and purpose.
Wherever You Are, Make Sure You're Really There!
By: Garry Zancanaro | 27/08/2006 | Self Help
Savouring the moment and enjoying the simple pleasures, like a beautiful sunset, or the joy of a laughing child, or a walk on a deserted beach with a loved one, can make our lives infinitely richer.
Sometimes We Need To Forget!
By: Garry Zancanaro | 10/09/2006 | Self Help
Life's too short may be a tired old cliche, but it's true. Don't we all deserve to have the best life we can? The quicker we are able to overcome all kinds of setbacks the sooner we will return to our levels of peak performance and make some real, forward progress in our lives. And we'll certainly be much happier.
Choices, Choices, Choices That's What Lifes Journey is All About Choices!
By: Nelson Roque | 11/11/2006 | Fitness
Let's get down to the choice of becoming healthy. DO YOU have a choice to become healthier? YOU sure do have that choice but why is it that our society is getting fatter and fatter each time we watch the news and tv.
HMMM! After all isn't it our choice to stay fat or do something about our body fat, OUR LIFE, OUR DESTINY OUR FAMILIES FUTURE?
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you think prostitution should be legal and why ...
By: MissSinceer | 05-07-2008
Do you think prostitution should be legal and why? It is for my college research presentation.
My friend needs closure
By: voterperson | 05-07-2008
Stacy buys blouses, sweaters and blazers at the 99store and they really are gorgeous. She goes every other day and buys a few or more than a few. Yesterday she went and purchased about twelve blouses (both for summer and winter). This morning the following took place:Stacy: ?Mom I am going to go out for about an hour?Mom: ?To the 99 cent store?Stacy: ?Yes?Mom: ?You just went yesterday and don?t you think you have enough, you don?t have enough storage room, it is becoming obsessive. I don?t care how much of a good buy it is?Stacy went anyway. She went to get the three blouses she left behind yesterday. When Stacy came home her mom was reading a book and then they both decided to have lunch.After lunch Stacy went to check her e-mail:Stacy: ?Mom I received the email from Annie? (Annie is Stacy?s cousin and her mom came into Stacy?s room to hear about the email)Mom: ?Ok what did Annie say.?Stacy: ?She liked my message about the book?Mom: ?So what did you buy today?Stacy showed her mom and her mom loved itSo if you were Stacy how would you interpret the remarks the mom right before Stacy left the house and the remark (?So what did you buy today?) her mom made and should Stacy still go the 99 cent store and not care about what her mom thinks.AND HERE ARE MORE THINGS:BACKGROUND: Most of the time Stacy (54 years old) goes ALONE to the 99 cent store to buy the clothes. Sometimes she will go with her mom (in her 80?s). When Stacy goes by herself she always comes home with the gorgeous stuff (items from Talbot?s, Old Navy, etc) and her mom loves the stuff that Stacy brings home. When Stacy goes with her mother her mother comments.HERE ARE THE THINGS HER MOM SAYS NOT ALL AT ONCE BUT AT VARIOUS TIMES(1) That is short, you don?t like short? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(2)?Look it over to make sure it is in good condition? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(3) ?I only told you that it didn?t look good because you weren?t sure if you liked it or not? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(4) ?Even though it is gorgeous I like the other one better if I was going to wear it?(when they are at the 99 cent store)(5) ?I do love that turtleneck you picked out but thick turtlenecks bother me? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(6) ?I only told you what I thought because you asked me if I liked it or not? (when they are at the 99 cent store)(7) ??But you don?t have to be obsessive. I mean it isn?t like you don?t have anything to wear?? (AT HOME)(8) ?You just went? (AT HOME)(9) ?You are not working right now you have to be careful with your money? and her mom will first say that the 99 cent store is NOT included and then when they fight her mom includes the 99 cent store.(10) Aren?t you going to be hot in that blouse. It is going to be a hot summer day 11) Well what you are wearing is not nice. I cant let you go out of the house like that?*she said this when they were fighting (12) People should wear what is appropriate for the weather? she said this when Stacy said well what would happen if I wore a material that might not be cool for the summer(13) Buy what you want, and I buy what I want but you don?t have to talk about it.?(14) I buy the food, and I am supporting you. But do you realize you are rubbing it in(15) I am working I cannot go to the 99 cent store or Kohl?s or any place like that to shop. You are home and shopping. I mean you talk about shopping constantly. I don?t want to hear it anymore(16) I don?t care what you buy but you don?t have to talk about it. They are pretty but again I don?t want to hear about it. When you get a job you can talk to me about your jobHOWEVER, WHEN STACY GOES BY HERSELF THIS IS WHAT HER MOTHER SAYS WHEN STACY COMES HOME:(1) ?I love what you got - I want it.? (AT HOME)(2) ?I love that and I am going to take that from you? (AT HOME)(3) ?Get me that? (AT HOME)STACY AND HER MOM WILL SAY THE FOLLOWING WHEN THEY ARE AT THE 99 CENT STORE:(1) ?Mom you always make comments? which her mother replied: ?I am allowed to say something and I am allowed not to like something?(2) ?Mom I feel you would have said something about the ones you loved that I brought home if you had come with me on those outings here? which her mother replied ?No I wouldn?t have because they are beautiful. And it is your problem if you feel this way, not mine?(3) Her mother also says ?You really lack self-esteem?(3) Her mom also says ?You know Stacy sometimes you tell me you don?t like an article of clothing I buy, but if I really like it you could stand on your head and I wouldn?t care if you liked it or not because I do.SO MY QUESTION: (1) DO you think Stacy is overreacting to the comments her mother makes; (2) DO you think Stacy?s mom would have made comments about the items Stacy brought home If her mom had gone with Stacy on those outings?
What is the proper way for a teenager to break out ...
By: drabsv | 04-07-2008
What is the proper way for a teenager to break out of the parental protection and interference (or just assert one's position in the family), without resorting to bitter conflicts, disrespectful behaviour, etc?I've noticed that a lot of people struggle with this issue even in their mature age. Tight relations and quarrels between parents and children/ between siblings/ etc make some very ugly scenes. And conflict resolution in such cases seems to be very hard to achieve. What works for the world outside the family would not be in place to apply within the family. You can choose your friends (as well as your enemies...) but not your relatives. The adversity you might feel in family relations should not be met the way you should meet adversity outside your home. Moreover, the "external adversity" comes out of truly ill intentions whereas "family adversity" comes out of attempts to protect and love, brought to extremes.
Why i feel myself misfit in society. I dont like ...
By: pkla | 04-07-2008
why i feel myself misfit in society.I dont like my job, because I wanna do some creative work. I feel that If I am a dumb and I dont know what the world around me is doing it feels like I am Stilled and every1 is very fastly moving infront of me and i dont know what to do?
Tenant/landlord
By: ybeu | 04-07-2008
If a lease was broken in upstate NY, but the landlord rented the apartment within 30 days, can the previous tenant be held responsible for the remainder of the previous lease?
Psychology and Law: The Daubert Standard
By: Amanda | 03-07-2008
Has the "Daubert standard" strengthened or weakend the relationship between psychology and the court system?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Coaching Articles
Warning Of Fake Life Coaches
By: Koz Huseyin | 19/07/2008
It seems like everyone and there brother is a life coach today! I remember going to a seminar last year, and it seemed like everyone in the audience was a life coach. I had lots of people offer me life coaching. Shame, I could have used the event like they did. But, is it time to give a warning of fake life coaches?
Gaining Empowerment at the Cross Roads of Your Life
By: Joan Marie Whelan | 17/07/2008
Pop sensation, Bone Thugs –N- Harmony sing about the cross roads of life. In their very popular tune, they ask "whatcha gonna do when there ain't no where to run?" Their answer, "...we pray, and we pray, and we pray...every day..." Is this how you feel sometimes?
How to Discover Your True Destiny
By: Joan Marie Whelan | 17/07/2008
To discover your true destiny, you must first explore what it is that you want out of life. If you desire prosperity and happiness, you need to initiate two key elements: intuition and motivation -- the rest comes naturally.
Revealed: Five Secrets to Creating Business Networking Magic
By: Morgana Rae | 17/07/2008
As you set out on your networking journey, hoping to attract lots of business, ask yourself what your dream customers want.
The Unwanted Choke : Sporting Clays Article by Dan Schindler : the Paragon School of Sporting
By: Paragon School | 16/07/2008
A little knowledge can be very useful....... "The Unwanted Choke" a Sporting Clays Article by Dan Schindler : The Paragon School of Sporting
How Success Can be Achieved Through an Attitude Change
By: Nikhil Rughani | 15/07/2008
When we look at the most successful people around us, they all have one thing in common - the attitude of success. In reality, this attitude is easy to develop however many people don't know where to start. If you're one of these people then you want to read this article and also download the free audio which can be found www.SucceedWithSpeed.com
Will Everyone Have A Life Coach In The Future?
By: Koz Huseyin | 15/07/2008
Personal development has become so popular. It was only a decade ago, that people never heard of personal development. And life coaches? The only coach most people knew was the one for the favorite sport team. In this article, we will look at life coaching, and the trends towards to future.
Dressing for Your Body Type
By: Aaron Marino | 15/07/2008
All men were not created equal! Who ever said that we were, didn’t understand fashion or style. Our female counterparts have it much tougher than we do, many more shapes and curves to be aware of and try to accommodate or camouflage. But, this doesn’t mean that we don’t have to pay attention or understand the basics. Remember this also, fashion refers to the clothing itself while the word style is the way in which you manage and coordinate the fashion that you wear.
More from Sharon Good
Who Do You Want to Become?
By: Sharon Good | 10/03/2008 | Motivational
Growing and changing is a natural part of our human development. We know this. When we're thinking about what’s next for us, though, we tend to look back at our history to see what the next logical step is. But we may have dreams and passions we want to pursue that are not a linear outcome of what we've done before, so they don't feel doable. What do we do then?
What I Learned This Year
By: Sharon Good | 10/03/2008 | Motivational
As each year comes to an end, I find myself looking back to assess what I accomplished. This year in particular has been one of huge inner and outer exploration for me, and I'd like to share some of what I learned.
Dealing With Rejection
By: Sharon Good | 02/01/2008 | Coaching
We all hate rejection, maybe even fear it. And we all have to face it at some time in our lives.
|
|
Self Improvement 
