Have You Forgotten This Power?

Did previous generations suffer from the angst of being overwhelmed?  Did the early 19th century pioneers, who faced survival issues every day,  run around frantically filling their days with meaningless activity?  Probably not;  because if priorities (food and shelter) were ignored, their fate was sure.  Discretionary choices were luxuries only a few were afforded.

21st century Americans have many discretionary choices.  I often encounter people who have forgotten they have many choices and that they have the power to choose among those choices. Everything we do, say, think, feel, eat, buy, who we spend time with; is a choice we have made.  When we forget we have the power to choose we let the ‘tyranny of the moment’  dictate what we do, say and how we feel.

Greg McKeown, in his book, Essentialism, says

‘The ability choose cannot be taken away or even given away–it can only be forgotten.”

When we forget to choose, we start thinking like victims:  I don’t have time, I have to do this, I can’t say no, what will people think, etc.. What price are you paying to say yes to everything? Besides being overwhelmed and frustrated?  I believe it affects two very important areas:

1. Our character: when we make and break promises to ourselves, we learn that we cannot depend on our decisions.   We learn that we don’t have very much self-discipline and that is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
2. Beyond the personal character issue, being driven by outside demands denies us the option of focusing on what we want, what we deem as important: family, friends, time to enjoy, time to reflect and plan, create, etc.

You can make some changes. Here are a couple of examples to help you regain some clarity:

• One night a week fast from all social media and talk/read/play with your children (focus on an important relationship in your life)
• This is for the executive in the workplace or the parent at home: Take one afternoon to think about what is needed.
  Define 2-3 priorities you deem important for you at this time and then begin doing those things to the exclusion of all others.

Bottom Line: Do something today that will give you a better tomorrow.