Do We Understand This?

When you get up every day in the morning, you have choices i.e. you may choose to be happy or sad, you may choose to be proactive or reactive… just to give an idea!

So, Life is always filled with choices. Every day, every hour, we are making choices either consciously or subconsciously. Some choices seem insignificant to us, while others become life altering. We do have a choice to either participate in these day-to-day choices or just allow outside forces to make the decisions for us.

As I mentioned earlier, all of us have made either a conscious or subconscious choice to be proactive, reactive or inactive about making choices. Reflect on yourself with questions like: Am I generally proactive, reactive or inactive when it comes to making day-to-day choices and decisions?

Here is a definition of proactive from askOxford.com: Creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it. Basically, controlling a situation by taking actions rather than, waiting to respond after it happens.

And now you know, reactive is just the opposite of proactive – you have taken away the ability to choose and you are now in the position of reacting to what is happening around you.

And, Inactive is similar because you’ve chosen to be an observer and allow others to make the decisions. In other words, you’ve chosen not to choose.

Reflect on these questions:

1. When faced with a situation where in a decision to be made, do you wait to see for others reactions or do you do your own decision  independently after checking for the facts &/or information?

2. Do you do enough ground work to make an informed decision or you just go with the flow?

3. Do you find yourself using phrases like – hope, maybe, if only, I wish I could, I’m not sure etc?

It is always said that, being proactive in making choices and decisions are usually from a place of empowerment. That means,  self-empowerment comes with self-confidence i.e. to believe that you have the necessary skills to make correct & wise informed decisions at the given point in time. An empowered proactive decision always takes you forward in positive and productive ways.

Being reactive or inactive can always affect your self-esteem and undermines your decision-making and self-confidence as well. If you are reactive and/or inactive for long, you’ll eventually lose out on controls over your day-to-day choices i.e. you’ve given away your right &/or the power to make informed decision and choices.

In case, if you are uncomfortable with making decisions itself and unsure of your choices as well, begin with making small decisions and choices to start with. Take baby steps until you are confident & comfortable with the outcome of your choices. Follow them and reflect on them. Do this part of the activity religiously.

And also, last but not the least; begin complimenting yourself for the informed decision making and choices you made and their outcomes. One more thing that you can do is maintaining a journal about your informed decision-making & outcome/successes.

I have shared few of the thoughts that really helped me to lead a better life today!

Thanks & gods bless you!

Krishna