I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey
This is such a powerful statement. How can a person not become a product of their circumstances? There is a moment of reaction in each interaction, situation, and conversation. In this fleeting moment is your opportunity to make a decision. “How do I react to this encounter?” You have an emotional, verbal, and physical decision to make about your reaction. The key to this conundrum is that “you have a decision to make”. You have to decide how this interaction is going to affect you, and how are you going to respond. Will you crouch in fear, or rise with courage? Did you know that you can even decide if the interaction will cause an intense emotional response from you in the form of anger, fear, happiness, or joy? Yes, you have the power of the decision. The ball is in your court. It is your turn. You are on the offense, and what will be your play? Are you a product of your circumstances? Did your circumstances make you the way you are today? No, your decisions made you who you are today. Did you make the right decisions? Did you even know you had the power to decide?
This is a very empowering perspective to ponder. Take a moment to replay an encounter that you experienced today. In this encounter, how could you change the outcome? Imagine what would be the ripple effect of one simple word of encouragement with the barista who made your coffee. Or, when your boss said “hello” could have been your opportunity to make a different impression. Take possession of these moments and turn them into opportunities.
From this moment forward, BE the product of your decisions. Live purposefully, and direct your life in the direction that you want it to go. You have the ability to decide what will make you happy or sad. You have the ability to decide if you want a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle. You even have the decision of how you want other people to perceive you. Find the courage to use this gift to your advantage, and focus on this personal power.
FOCUS: Follow One Course Until Successful
As Bruce Lee said, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” Become the expert, not the jack-of-all-trades. Do not brag about your multitasking skills, rather be the person that can zero in on a target like a F-15 fighter jet. Be fierce in your desire to succeed, and FOCUS.
