The past week has been a particularly challenging week in our business as we are paying the price for some poor choices we made in regards to a client. The choices we made reflected our fear in regards to losing the client and we therefore avoided several tough conversations. The lessons we have learnt are great but the impact will stifle us for many months.

The most successful individuals and companies I observe make the best choices on a consistent basis. They are a collection of mindful choices that enable them to have the biggest and most profound impact. These choices are also conscious decisions to not stand for certain behaviours. Personally, I have been a passive receiver on far too many occasions and this is indeed a choice to accept whatever comes my way.

A majority of our behaviours are being made without our awareness. We make decisions based on social norms, upbringing, past experience, age, cognitive biases and relevance. We make these choices regularly enough and we shape habits that will dictate our success both personally and professionally.

An example of this can be seen in the people we surround ourselves with. We like people who share our own beliefs. We will gravitate towards people subconsciously that are like us. This makes sense but it also means that we diminish other people’s views and information that isn’t in alignment with what we think.

You need to become aware of these choices and the impact they have. Only then can you seek remedies and more beneficial and productive decisions. This comes through introspection and self-reflection. Our decisions are so often laced in biases and assumptions but we are none the wiser because we don’t examine these objectively and at the time. So, how do you become more self-aware so you can equip yourself with better choices?

1. Keep a journal. If we look at decisions long after they have been made then it is often through a biased lens. However, if you journal in real time then you get a more accurate picture of what happened and why.
2. Speak to trustworthy friends on the choices you have made (or avoided making) and receive their feedback. Some of my best insights on my behaviour have come from being asked tough questions by insightful friends.
3. Clearly articulate your vision and values so you can understand precisely what you want. This will inform your choices and give them a framework.

The choices you make will determine your impact on this world.

What choices are you making that aren’t serving you?

What choices do you need to make regularly to support your vision?

Make superior choices today and you will shape a better future tomorrow.