Better Choices

When we were little people we didn’t have to make too many decisions as most decisions were made for us by our parents, teachers, baby sitters and just about anyone that was a few years older than us.

And even in those instances where we were allowed to make decisions, our decision makers were probably influenced by professional psychologists who believed and still believe that children should be provided with a choice between two things. You can have this or that. Three choices are way too many the conventional wisdom stated.

So here we are all grown up and confounded when we have to make all our own decisions in an unlimited sea of choices. As well,  each choice is included with thousands of subtle but significant shades of variances.

Of course, we always suspected deep down that life was not so simple and in hindsight, we maybe should have been given more than a choice of two things, which were more often than not distinctly opposites.

Chocolate or vanilla, inside or outside, settle down and get rewarded or make a ruckus and get grounded, these choices were presented to us and we made our decisions accordingly.

Now as we rule our own destiny and navigate our multitude of daily choices we’re not as prepared or equipped as we might have been had we been given better guidance from our parents, teachers, caregivers and society.

• Should we work for ourselves or someone else?
• Should we regularly take calculated risks or only risk big when we’re young?
• Who can we trust?
• What is our long term strategy and why is long term thinking the rarest of personal skills?
• How important is higher education in terms of helping us follow our passions?
• Do we strive for practicality or pursue creativity at all costs?
• Do we take every opportunity to travel or put our careers first before everything?
• How do we know for sure what is right, worthy of our time and dedication?
• Who can we trust to act as an advisor when we are making big life decisions?

I don’t remember there being offered a class on choices and decision making when I was younger. I also don’t remember anyone except my mom being excited when I decided to leave my country (USA)  in pursuit of an exciting adventure and possibly a new way of life in Australia when I had just graduated from University.

But I did make that choice on my own and I did create a fun and successful business and personal life in Australia and again in New Zealand, The UK, the Netherlands and now Canada.

Life is a great big adventure if you allow your mind and your imagination to wonder, explore and go where it feels a calling.

Choices are great and decisions are even better. If it’s something that excites you and scares you then it’s a good place to start.

Take ahold of your decision making and don’t delegate that task to anyone but yourself. And of course a big thanks to my mom (active in her afterlife) for allowing me the freedom to think for myself and the courage to be bold in my beliefs and ability to make the right decisions about my life.

Mothers day is every day!