Do you know why Apple offers 5 million different versions of the iPod?
People like choices. They like to go into the store, play with the different iPods, and feel they are making a decision. When they leave the store, they will love their decision. They will defend their decision to friends and coworkers. They will try to convince other people to make similar decisions. In short, they will be ecstatic.
I remember when I started working a 9-5 job last year. It was amazing. I was earning a full-time income off of the internet and I chose to start working for a corporation. I was am happy. I was promoted after 9 months for great performance. I willingly chose to start working in Corporate America and my performance reflected it.
And then it hit me. The key to success is about making choices. As long as you continue to control your decisions, you will be more likely to follow through with them. After all, people do not like being forced to do anything.
Sure, you may be thinking that your life is not a choice, but it is, and you need to break the preconception that you do not have control over your life.
You Don’t “Have” To Do Anything
The very second you feel you “have” to do something, you will often instantly hate it. I know I do. After all, people like choices, not commands.
To remedy this you need to realize that you don’t “have” to do anything. You always have a choice. Even if there are serious consequences associated with your choices, you still have a choice.
Start Replacing “Have” with “Want”
Don’t go to work because you “have” to pay the bills. Go to work because you “want” to make a difference. Go to work because you “want” to accelerate your career. Hell, go to work because you “want” to pay your bills, but never say you “have” to do anything.
While this may seem trivial, turning a task into a desire makes the world of difference in both your happiness and your ability to start doing something now instead of later.
Make the Choice and Move On
Many people stress over making the perfect decision. They research aimlessly and postpone the decision for as long as possible, or in some cases, forever.
Unfortunately, postponing a decision indefinitely is not how you get things done.
Harry S. Truman once said, “All my life, whenever it comes time to make a decision, I make it and forget about it.” He really did hit the key to success perfectly. Not only do you need to make decisions, you need to follow through with them and never look back until it’s time to make another decision.
Choice is a Choice
Taking complete control of your life is a decision, but it is not for everyone. When you believe you are the puppet master of your life, you are the only one to blame and it can be discouraging when you experience setbacks. However, I have always believed that if you put yourself there, you can get yourself out, which is why I love my right to choose.
