We all have some idea of what we want—a better job, more money, love, a bigger house, a nicer car, etc. Yet we don’t often think about what we need to do, what actions we need to take or what choices we need to make to get those things. We get caught up in things that keep us busy but do not contribute to our life’s happiness; we confuse activity with accomplishment. We don’t pay attention to the choices we are making that may hinder our success.

     Everything you do requires a choice. There are the big choices: where to live, what career path to follow, who to share your life with, your faith, etc. Then there are the small choices: what time to wake up each morning; what to eat, what to wear, how to spend the day, how to respond to people and events. The small choices seem inconsequential. Some people would argue they aren’t really choices at all, but rather decisions dictated by life’s external pressures or requirements.

     But they are choices.

     You choose to get up at 6 a.m. to catch the 7:09 train to get to work despite the fact you’d rather sleep till noon because you know that the price you would have to pay to sleep till noon is too high to pay. If your goal truly is to sleep till noon each day, you would choose a different job and lifestyle to accommodate that goal. The seemingly small choices you make day in and day out ultimately determine the quality of your life. These decisions reflect your character, your values, and your purpose.

     Some people construct a reality out of the world around them where success and happiness is impossible because they focus on the obstacles that exist to thwart their efforts rather than the choices available to overcome or manage them. They fixate on the problems and assign blame. They tell themselves, “I can’t because…” They blame their boss, spouse, lack of money, the weather, etc. for their inability to achieve their goals. They can’t see the choices available to them to overcome the obstacles. They become paralyzed and get caught in the “loser” cycle. 

     Happy, successful people on the other hand, focus on solutions to problems. They assume responsibility for future outcomes and take control of their fate. They are able to identify the choices they have, understand the price tags attached and design a course of action to achieve their goals. Their faith in their own abilities is undeniable. Unquestionable. They succeed simply because they believe they can.

     But how can train your mind to believe it is possible to be happy and achieve your goals when you really truly in your heart of hearts don’t believe it?

You do it by altering your perspective. Instead of thinking “I can’t because…” think “I can if….” That change in perspective allows you to see the action steps necessary to achieve your goals. It allows you to focus on what you need to do to make it happen. Thoughts control actions which in turn, control thoughts.

The secret to success all boils down to the choices you make. The question then becomes, are you willing to pay the price to achieve your goals?

     Think about the direction you’d like your life to take. What do you want to accomplish during your lifetime? During the next five years? The next year? Think about what you need to do to make it happen. Write it down. If you were taking a complicated road trip you would write down the directions, yet on the most significant journey of your life, you resist putting a word of the directions on paper! That’s just silly. Written goals are concrete, tangible and physically real. They provide a long term vision about the kind of person you want to be and the kind of life you want to lead. They help you stay focused because they enhance your decision-making abilities and heighten your ability to recognize opportunities consistent with your goals. They help you prioritize seemingly competing goals.

     If your goals do not move you, if they do not inspire and incite you to action, they are not the right goals. The right goals out weight any excuses you have to achieve them. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish when you are clear about what you want and have an action plan in place to guide you.

     Be prepared to make course corrections when necessary. Don’t run in the wrong directions just because you are near the finish line. Goals have to evolve with you. They may shift as you mature and grow. What moves you to action today may bore you and disillusion you tomorrow. Change should not be seen as a sign of weakness or as a lack of commitment. Change is a strength that allows people to adapt to ever changing circumstances. Every thing we see, hear, touch and experience is judged as good or bad, pleasurable or painful, safe or dangerous. We constantly describe the world to ourselves and every event gets a “label.” The event triggers the label which determines our reactions. By dissecting the thought, perhaps we can re-label the event, thereby altering our actions and gaining a new perspective. We can make a better choice. When you learn to respond rather than react your brain is fully engage and you can make a positive and consistent mental adjustment. Remember, thoughts control actions which in turn control thoughts.

     Managing your career/life development is an on-going process that includes planning and strategizing based on information about yourself and the world of work, the match between them and the actions you take. You must make a lifelong commitment to actively manage your career/life and learn to adapt to the inevitable transitions you are destined to encounter. Apply the principles of career development consistently in your day to day life and you will achieve the success you deserve!!