I really don’t recall where I learned this life lesson but I am grateful I did. It has served me well and I am sharing it in hopes that it will be helpful to our followers. That lesson is: I am the source of my satisfaction or dissatisfaction in life; the choices I make, my attitude, how I choose to show up are what most influence my happiness.
Check out the table below and ask yourself if you are living “at cause” or “at effect” with your family, in your career, with your network, in society at large.
At Cause At Effect
Point of View: Able to make a difference Bound by the system
Self-responsible Victim of circumstance
Life is exciting, even fun Controlled by others
Truth is the best Avoid the truth if it’s painful
Feelings: Powerful Powerless
Competent Oppressed
Excited, energized Overwhelmed, burdened
Behaviors: Turn circumstances into wins Crisis management
Take a stand Complaining, doing my best
Go after what you want Controlled and controlling
Tell the truth Inappropriate anger
Telling lies
Words: I can make a difference If only “they”
I am stopping my own success I didn’t have a choice
I made a choice It’s the system
= Satisfaction = Dissatisfaction
I remind myself that choices are powerful. I often use the metaphor of there’s a fork in the road and remind myself I get to choose. My hope is that everyone feels they have a choice to help make their lives better and the world around them better in doing so.
If you’d like to start a conversation feel free to reach out to me directly at lportercox@theandgroup.com