More on Decision Making

The answer is within. The world of other people’s decisions is not your world. Every successful person is a success because he(she) used ideas that arose within his(her) own mind. Raymond Charles Barker, “The Power of Decision”

My coaching motto is “You are your greatest asset.” I sincerely believe that all you will ever need is within you. Our task is not to add more, but to draw from the wisdom, inspiration and intelligence within. That includes the wisdom to ask for assistance and guidance, the ability to be inspired by the ideas and words of others, act in concert with others, and learn from sources outside yourself. It is, however, your internal, decision making power, that guides you to make the decisions that are right for you. Some may call this a Higher Power, God, Spirit, Universal Mind, Higher Intelligence, intuition, and more. However you refer to it, it is up to you as to how to use and direct that power. Use it wisely and use it for good. Make the right decisions for yourself.

Be cautious about your use of facts. The whole world of facts shouts at you what you cannot do. It says that you are a victim of the times. It measures you in words of success and failure, health and disease, friends and enemies. It is emphatic about your age, your life expectancy, and finances. It affirms you as body, bank account, and ultimate death. Raymond Charles Barker, “The Power of Decision”

I’ve heard people use, what they perceive as facts, to keep themselves stuck in safety when faced with opportunity. I’m too old (young), fat (skinny), inexperienced (over qualified), it’s too cold (hot), late (early), you name it. Ever done that? Ever used what you perceived as facts to limit you?

Here are some other facts you might consider. You have a creative imagination, you are filled with wisdom, you’ve done harder things than this in the past. You are filled with love, compassion, kindness. You are stronger than your challenges, you are greater than your problems, you are filled with the energy of life. You can figure it out, you can ask for help, you will find the resources you need. You cannot ask a question without the answer being inside you. You are a person of power. You are not a victim, you are a victor. You are a person of amazing talent and abilities. You have what it takes to succeed at whatever you put your mind to.

Make the decision to focus on these facts, and those like them. It’s up to you. Decide rightly.

Decide to be happy. Happiness is genuine satisfaction with your present experience… Happiness is not a constant, but satisfaction can be. Satisfaction is a deep underlying sense of fulfillment, a sense of doing a good job with life. Raymond Charles Barker, “The Power of Decision”

One way to decide to be satisfied is to hold gratitude in your heart and mind. I know, gratitude lists are old-school. OK, then think of people, places, and circumstances you appreciate. Is an appreciation list more acceptable than a gratitude list? Or, try paying tribute, in your mind, for all things that lift you. Now there’s a word you don’t hear much of these days, “tribute.” Pay homage to, revere, honor, notice, all things good in your life. Satisfaction! Attention is power! Focus your attention on these ideas and you’ll be much happier. Decide to be happy. You decide.

Stop all complaining. Stop telling others about your unhappiness. Find things to praise…Start doing new and different things. Start eating different and interesting foods. Start activating your social life. Expand your circle of friendships. Go everywhere you are invited whether or not you want to go. If you need new clothes, get them. If your home needs refreshing with wallpaper and paint, call in the decorators. Shift pictures from wall to wall. Rearrange them in various rooms.

Give a little more than you normally would in order to open up your channels of receptivity. Do not eat alone too much. Do not be alone too much. Keep in circulation with the human race…Reactivate old hobbies, or find new ones. Keep yourself well-groomed, and wear your best clothes on every possible occasion. Find things to laugh about. Raymond Charles Barker, “The Power of Decision”

Choose something out of this list and get started. Make the decision. Now. Here’s another list.

• Decide to live richly
• Decide to be healthy
• Decide to be creative
• Decide to be loving, start with yourself

You are your greatest asset. Decide to commit to the ideas of a higher life. Now!