My counselor friend Jackie tells me that every decision we make either moves us closer to, or further from, our goals. Every single decision!
At first I tried to find evidence that she was wrong, but now I find it more interesting, and definitely more entertaining, to find proof that she’s right.
Consider your daily decisions. They may seem mundane when looking at the big picture, but what is the big picture but a compilation of smaller images?
Oatmeal or eggs for breakfast? Sounds trivial, right? But if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol, choosing oatmeal moves you toward your goal, while selecting eggs undermines it.
Drive to work or take the bus? Is the goal to save money and spare the environment? Then driving moves you further from your stated intentions.
Buy a newspaper? You may think this is counter-productive to going green, but if you want to stay on top of issues and events, buying a newspaper may prove to be a good choice to help you become more knowledgeable and informed.
These examples are just a small drop in the bucket. What about the bigger and tougher choices that may have already permanently affected your life? Did you go to college right after high school or go to work? Accepted or rejected a job offer? What about that marriage proposal? Did you choose to have kids? (This is a choice now, you know!) Where do you live? Did you vacation in Alaska or Hawaii? How do you spend (or invest) your money?
By running each decision through the “life detracting or life enhancing” filter, it’s a little easier to navigate the various mine fields of our lives. Since I’ve started practicing this technique I’ve had fewer regrets and lots more peace of mind.
Try it for yourself!