Everyone is born with the potential for greatness. What happens next is up to you. You get to choose which path you take, how high to set the bar for yourself, and how hard you’re willing to work to clear it. You get to decide how to spend your time, who to spend it with, and what you’re willing to forgo when time runs short. Every choice that you make and every action that you take has consequences, but who better to decide what’s best for you –– than you. You, and you alone, determine your destiny.
Choices have trade-offs. By definition, a choice is an either-or decision. As such, every time you choose one direction, you’re also choosing not to take an alternate path. In other words, saying “no” to one idea enables you to say “yes” to another. The key is to choose wisely. Your destiny depends on it.
Do you:
- Make things happen or wait to be told what to do?
- Invest in your personal growth or count on others to train you?
- Ask for help as a last resort or see it as your first option?
- Accept responsibility when things go wrong or look for others to blame?
- Power through tough times or quit when things become difficult?
- Form your own opinions or gauge what others think first?
- Accept the consequences of your actions or expect others to bail you out?
- Make your own decisions or lean on others?
- Trust your judgment or believe that others know better?
- Embrace a healthy lifestyle or expect a magic pill to be a quick fix?
- Accept responsibility for misfortune or play the helpless victim?
- Learn from the school of hard knocks or live a sheltered life?
- View feedback as a learning opportunity or sulk and get defensive?
- Remain true to your values or give in to peer pressure?
- Surround yourself with positive people or let toxic influences drag you down?
- Make yourself proud or seek acceptance from others?
- Identify solutions to make things better or constantly complain how bad they are?
- Earn your rewards or feel entitled to them?
- Step out of your comfort zone or allow naysayers to hold you back?
- Define acceptable standards of behavior for yourself or allow others to set them for you?
Make good choices. A wise person once said, “When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” It’s your choice. Your destiny. Own it!
How Are Your Choices Shaping Your Destiny?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
What Are Your Biggest Regrets in Life?
Make Good Choices
The Easy Way May Be the Hard Way
Inner Peace Is a Choice
Are You Blurring the Line Between Right and Wrong?
Choices Are Easy. The Tough Part is Living with Them
Mediocre Behavior Is a Choice
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Great list Frank, to me a lot of the choices are related to “internal locus of control.” People who have internal locus of control believe that the outcomes of their actions are results of their own abilities. Internals believe that their hard work would lead them to obtain positive outcomes. They also believe that every action has its consequence, which makes them accept the fact that things happen and it depends on them if they want to have control over it or not. Externals attribute outcomes of events to external circumstances. People with an external locus of control tend to believe that the things which happen in their lives are out of their control, and even that their own actions are a result of external factors, such as fate, luck, the influence of powerful others (such as doctors, the police, or government officials) and/or a belief that the world is too complex for one to predict or successfully control its outcomes.
Wonderful observation, Eli. Thanks for sharing 🙂
The Serenity Prayer authored by the American theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr places this issue in its proper perspective: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
We have constraints imposed on us by our birth and environment , but choices wisely made by you would break the constraints.
You’re absolutely right, Mingda 🙂
You can achieve ANYTHING you want, as long as you’re willing to work hard and put your mind to it. The problem is that some people want rewards but aren’t willing to make the commitment that’s required to earn them. Instead, they find every excuse in the book why they can’t, or should I say won’t, do something. They think, “Somebody like me doesn’t stand a chance,” or “What if I fail?” And, after they convince themselves that failure is inevitable, they get discouraged and quit.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Thank you for the insightful reminder. Every choice shapes our destiny. A thoughtful read with practical wisdom. Grateful for your wisdom-sharing.
Hi Master Vijay
Thank YOU for your kind words. I’m so glad you like it.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank