One certainty we can always count on is change. The state and conditions of the world, our lives, the economy, our livelihood, relationships, education, all of it grows, declines and progresses through change. And, change comes about through a combination of individual and collective choices. With all of these choices floating around, impacting our existence for better or worse, also comes the question: who will you empower? Will you more fully empower your own choices, ingenuity, and abilities or will you empower others who make choices that directly or indirectly impact your life? (i.e. do you keep your power or give it away?)

For now, let’s just concentrate on empowering your choices and leave your response to the choices of others to be dealt with at a later time. Yes, the next few minutes are all about you and the influence you desire to have on your own life, the lives of those in your own circle, society and the world at large. So, what do I mean by empowering your choices?

Although it may not feel like it, unless you are literally being held at gunpoint or otherwise against your will, how you spend every moment of your life is about your own choices. The zillions of sports’ practices you have to haul your kids to each week? Chances are that you are the one who chose to sign the kids up so they have the privilege of being hauled around each week. How about being asked to do an inconvenient favor by a family member to whom you feel you don’t have the option to say no? You actually do have a choice to say no. But, with tricky family dynamics, there actually could be negative consequences if you do say no. Make no mistake, though, you still have a choice.

Empowering Your Choices: Responsible Living

If you feel your life, time and resources are run by choices other than your own, it might support you to do the following writing exercise:

1)Who specifically is making choices that are running my life (write each name, organization, etc. onto a list)?

2) How am I allowing my life to be completely influenced by the choices of others?

3) Where in my life do I feel like I have no choice in the actions I take?

4) How does allowing others to make choices for my time make me feel?

5) Where am I over-scheduled or over-extended? This could be with time, money or other resources.

6) Where am I under-scheduled or not in sufficient action in my own life?

7) What is it that is having me feel like I must empower the choices of others over my own choices for my life, time, money, etc.?

8) How much longer am I willing to continue living my life by the choices of others?

9) What needs to shift to allow me to live more fully according to my own choices for my life rather than continuing to let others make choices for me?

10) NOW, change every sentence/thought that comes with a “woulda” “shoulda”, or “coulda” attached to it, INTO a sentence/thought “I choose to” or “I chose to” and see what happens!

When it comes down to it, you are the only one responsible for how you spend your time, the choices you make, and how many of your own choices you decide to empower. And, in no way are you powerless to make the changes required to do so.

If you would like help empowering yourself and learning more about the coaching counseling style I use to help you to make the life changes that you want to make, give me a call today at my San Diego office location, 619-687-9013!