Do You Choose Choice Or Not Have One?
Have you ever felt like you didn’t have a choice? Often the truth is that you have to choose choice.
Habits control much of what happens throughout our day.
When we are under stress or pressure, we often will default to what feels natural, safe, or puts up a wall.
No Choice
People often suggest that they did it because they had no choice.
Sometimes it feels as though life happens to us. Yes things break. Yes, circumstances or situations may be beyond our control. Sometimes life doesn’t cooperate. However, much of what happens next depends on choice.
It feels safer to place the blame on circumstances, situations, or other people.
I’m not applying for that job because I don’t have the degree.
That networking event isn’t for me. I won’t know anyone there.
I don’t know how to do that, but no one recognizes my true skills.
We often imagine we are blocked at every twist, every turn. Our imagination tells us that there are obstacles, hurdles, or gaps that we can’t possibly navigate or bridge. Those are often the easy choices, not the same as no choice.
Possibilities often exist except we don’t see them. We choose not to see them because we are convinced that they are too difficult or too risky. In other cases, we may become trained that a failure means it is over, we won’t go there again.
It is the boy turned down for the dance, the runaway bride or groom, or the interview without a job offer.
The easier choice, the safe one, is to put up a wall, suggest you know the outcome, or simply claim that there was no choice.
Choose Choice
Habits often link us to safety and comfort. Following a habit is not the same as not having a choice.
Will you choose choice? Do you have a choice?
Following the easy choice doesn’t mean that there are no other options.
– DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
