“When we take ownership of our outcomes, we are empowered to make decisions that lead to those outcomes.”
What do you value? What are your goals? What are your priorities? The answers to these questions dictate every decision we make and every action we take. However, without clear, concise answers, without awareness, we are left to make decisions thoughtlessly that may or may not be aligned with what we really want on a deeper level. They may or may not be getting us where we want to go and a lot of that has to do with the way we communicate internally and with how much responsibility we take for our decisions. I want to share a simple shift in perspective and a way in which we talk to ourselves that can empower us to dramatically change the course of our lives. I am only here to suggest an alternative way of approaching our decisions that can lead to a higher level of satisfaction, success, and happiness. This is about self-awareness, ownership, responsibility, and taking action.
When we say that we have no choice, we have no other options, or we can’t do something, we limit ourselves and take away an opportunity to grow and connect. The reasoning behind these statements and whether they have positive or negative intent is irrelevant, it is the language we use and the meaning it has in our subconscious that matters. We always have a choice, there is always another option, and no matter what the situation is, it is ultimately up to us to decide the course of action we personally take regardless of the potential consequences. It is imperative that we stop focusing on everything around us that we can’t control and take an honest look at what we can control, take ownership and responsibility for those things, and then do something about it. When we assume responsibility for our decisions, we put ourselves in a position to directly effect the outcome, at minimum we have an impact on it we otherwise might not have.
So, what do I mean by taking responsibility for our decisions? I mean switching our language to, “I choose.” “I choose to pay my bills so the electricity doesn’t get shut off,” instead of, “I can’t afford that because I have to pay my bills.” “I choose to save my money instead of going out to eat all the time.” “I choose to eat this doughnut instead of the salad.” Or vice versa; you can fill in the blanks with relevant statements in your life, the examples don’t really matter. These examples may seem silly but when we use language that suggests we are powerless, well, we become powerless and that is how our subconscious operates. On all the cues and background information it gathers regardless of how silly it seems to us consciously. This is the same reason they say not to even joke about yourself in a degrading way, because you are creating a subconscious belief that will dictate future decisions and actions.
On the other side of this, making these decisions with ownership and intent also keeps us connected to those values, goals, and priorities. Every time we intentionally choose something that is aligned with what we want, we ingrain it deeper into our subconscious. It keeps these things at the forefront of our mind, and it becomes easier and easier to stay focused on those values and goals when something else comes up. Instead of thoughtlessly choosing things that leave our life up to chance, we can start thoughtfully making decisions that are aligned because we have entrenched them so deeply into who we are and everything we do that it becomes effortless.
Real change begins to happen when you can consciously take a look at the situation, see different options and possibilities, and know that you can make the choice that best aligns with your goals and values. That is our responsibility, that is our power. And by doing so, we empower ourselves in the future to continue making better decisions and taking the actions best aligned with our values, beliefs, and goals.
