Lately, I have been thinking about the decisions we make throughout our lives, and the impacts they can have on our successes and our failures.

From the BIG decisions we face (Buying a house, having Children, Investments, our Careers), all the way down to the smallest (what we eat for lunch, choosing between this brand or the other, the font we use) – all of these choices come together to form the tapestry of our lives. And it made me realise something – all of these decisions are important in their own right, but it is the act of deciding itself that is the most important of all.

Let me explain what I mean by that.

Each choice we make is an expression of our commitment to ourselves, to our success, and to our future – yes, every time we decide something we set out to find the best outcome/solution, but we also aim to drive away uncertainty by making these decisions.

By forgoing uncertainty, we become confident in our choices, and through that confidence we can achieve. So, by allowing ourselves to calculate and navigate our options we are able to improve our odds of succeeding in something or resolving an issue – if we didn’t have the opportunity to decide for ourselves, based on our own knowledge and experience, would we be where we are today?

I want you to take a moment, and really think about all of the big decisions that you have made in your life – personally, and professionally. Has there ever been anything that you’ve been successful with / in that didn’t first require a definitive decision or commitment?

The chances are, that the answer is going to be no, or on a rare occasion. It is our commitment and sense of clarity gained through our decisions that allows us to strive for success, and thrive once we are there.

Because these are the decisions that WE have made; for us, by us. They allow us to shape our successes (and sometimes our failures), and take control of our lives.

The next time you have a decision to make I want you to think back to this post, and give yourself the time and space that you need to empower your decision – don’t allow your choices to be made for you; begin to pave your way towards a more successful, and Influential, you.