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Moment by Moment We Have the Power to Choose
By Jana M. Kemp
Do you ever feel cornered, out of time or just plain burnt-out?
If so, here's a new mantra to help curb and even eliminate these feelings: moment by moment I have the power to choose.
We all have the power to make choices about what we do. Every minute of every day we can choose from a variety of options and alternatives that will help us reach our goals and live out our dreams.
And with every minute we can make choices that prevent us from reaching our goals, fulfilling our potential and even from discovering our dreams.
That's the beauty of being human, we have the power to reason, to think and therefore to make choices. We can choose how we act, what we say 'yes' and what we say 'no' to. We can choose what we think, how we respond, how we ask questions and how we ask for information.
When we give up our power to choose we in many ways are giving up our very lives. We end up letting co-workers, friends and family make choices for us and then wonder what's happened to our lives.
What's happening in your life? Are you choosing carefully each moment? Or are you letting life happen to you? It is all in your power to choose.
Yes, I hear the argument "I have bills to pay, a mortgage to make, kids to put through school, how can I make the choices I really want to?" Attitude is the beginning. Are you a quitter or a work-hard winner? Are you willing to let life happen to you or to make choices that guide the way life unfolds?
Again, I hear frustrated sighs and even some moaning. So, let's look at some of the things that prevent us from exerting our power to choose.
1. Fear - fear of all kinds prevents us from making our own choices, stating our wants and asking for help in meeting our needs. Fear of failure, fear of leaving our comfort zones, fear of ____________(what's on your list?). Name the fear. Look at the fear for what it is. Then choose whether you will continue to let the fear win or whether you will choose to overcome the fear.
2. Politics - at work we sometimes argue that the politics of a situation are what stand in our way. "Politics" is really an excuse that is based in fear.
3. Perception of lack - lack of skills, lack of money, lack of time, lack of ________(you fill in the blank with yours). Identify what you feel is lacking. Then create a plan for overcoming or eliminating the lack. 4. Habit and routine - we get onto the treadmill of doing the same thing day after day, forgetting that we can choose to get off the treadmill and walk or run a different course. Choose as you will.
Pinpoint the barriers standing in your way. Choose to eliminate the barriers and you've begun the course of choosing thoughtfully. Claim the power for yourself, moment by moment.
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Jana M. Kemp is an internationally recognized speaker, author and workshop provider on the subjects of improving day-to-day business activities. Jana hosts Momentum(tm) every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on KBOI 670am. Reach Jana via her website www.janakemp.com
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