Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions we Make

Posted by Todd Smith - View Comments |

Over my career I have read and heard thousands of quotes from great leaders, but there is one I replay in my mind more than any other. Jim Rohn, one of the greatest personal development teachers of our time said, “Success comes from making a series of good decisions over time, while failure comes from making a series of bad decisions over time.” I believe this is one of the most accurate statements of human achievement ever articulated.

Decisions to Ponder

Every day we each make hundreds of little decisions, most of which seem inconsequential at the time. But every decision—no matter how little—will lead us closer to or further from our goals.

Today’s lesson will focus on what I define as “either/or” decisions, because you’re deciding to “either” do something “or” not do something.

Do we get out of bed early enough to properly prepare for the day?
Do we straighten up our bedroom and make the bed before heading out the door?
Do we dress and groom ourselves so that we make a positive impression on people?
Do we make food choices that will improve our health?
Do we control interruptions so we can focus on our responsibilities?
Do we set aside specific time to spend with our children?
Do we show our spouses that we love them?

When talking on the phone, do we sound happy to be speaking to the other person?
Do we exercise even when we don’t feel like it?
Do we think about what we want to say before speaking?
Do we show courtesy by holding the door open for someone else?
Do we compliment people when they are deserving of one?
Are we friendly in our emails?
Do we say please and thank you?
Do we show people respect by letting them finish talking before responding?
Do we apologize without making excuses when we are wrong?
Do we have a positive attitude even when things don’t go our way?

The Power of Our Decisions

These and hundreds of other little decisions we make each day may seem insignificant when looked at individually, but when looked at collectively they influence every part of our lives. From our relationships to our health, no part of our lives is exempt from the effects of these little decisions.

We are where we are and whom we are at this very moment in life based on the decisions we have made. Our physical health is largely the reflection of our decisions. Our finances are what they are because of our decisions. Where we work and what we earn is the outcome of our decisions. The state of our relationships is the result of our decisions. Everything we have or don’t have is a reflection of our decisions.

We can avoid accepting personal responsibility for our decisions by blaming others, but if we consider how something occurred, it all points to a decision we made. From time to time there will be exceptions, but if we are honest with ourselves, our lives are a mirror image of our decisions.

There is also a positive side effect from intentionally making good decisions. When you make wise choices regardless of how little they may be, you will feel happy with yourself and who you are becoming because you will know you are doing the right thing.

Improving Our Decision-Making

If deep down inside you want to become a better person and enjoy greater success and fulfillment in your life, then consider these suggestions.

Accept responsibility for your decisions and stop blaming others for where you find yourself today. This is the first step forward.

Become aware of decisions you are making every day and start making decisions consistent with the person you want to become.

Believe in yourself and in your ability to make good decisions. Follow your gut and do what you feel is right; 95% of the time you will make the right decision. Like any skill, as you become intentional about making positive decisions, you will get better and better.

What methods do you use to make these little daily decisions? Which ones present the most challenges? I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Tomorrow we’ll go beyond the basic “either/or” decisions described in this lesson
and I will share with you a simple formula for making decisions at the next level.

The little decisions you make each day will form the person you become tomorrow.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 30 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are ranked #27 in America’s top 100 podcasts and #1 in the personal and development field.)

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How to Consistently Make Good Decisions

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No One is Perfect

Who Do I Have To Become To Get What I Want?

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To Earn Respect You Must Show Respect

The 12 Fastest Ways to Build Rapport (Part 1)

The 12 Fastest Ways to Build Rapport (Part 2)

Tags: Health, Personal Brand

Sunehri

thank you for highlighting his article in your recent article on how to make 2011 better.

great reads as always. wonderful reminders I start my day off with!
Todd Smith

Thanks Sunehri
Paul

I think your advice is sound- if you would like others to treat you like a doormat.
Perhaps it's the kinds of jobs and marriages I've survived. I tried your method with DISASTROUS outcomes. So there is NO paradigm for a successful life.
But I still like your list and every high school student should have it on there bedroom wall.
Maybe they will luck out better than i did.
Todd Smith

Hi Paul- Thanks for your note. What methods have you tried with DISASTROUS outcomes?
donnabrewer

Good morning Todd, I've just listened to your episode on "Our Lives Mirror our Images. It is so wonderful and hits it on the head. We are all responsible for what occurs in our lives, so the blame game as I call is fruitless and a waste of our energy. I am trying to focus my positve energy on the things in my life that i want to acheive and change within myself. I feel that self-evaluation is like spring cleaning, we must do this at least once a year or more depending on issues that may arise. Thank you for caring, Donna Brewer
Todd Smith

Donna- I like your analogy to spring cleaning. That is so true! I feel like I have a lot of spring cleanings. :-)
Ayanda

I really enjoyed this article and I very much like the statement that says who we are today is the result of decisions we've made ... I am a very reflecting person about every little thing I do because I always check my intention at the time, the impact to another peroson and the result as well.

I have found I am also more concerned about the impact my actions / words have on another person ... and in checking my intention i start to interrogate if our intentions were in sych and / or if I actually understood theirs. How can I get better at doing this?
Todd Smith

Ayanda, I really like the way you think! There are not very many people like you. I would bet the people who know you, respect you. Congratulations!
graceleathermanjones

I really enjoy your blog and forward it to my daughter who is a freshman at TCU. I wish I had this guidance/advice when I was her age! I will tell her to follow you on Twitter.
Todd Smith

Grace, Thanks for networking this blog. I am glad you are enjoying it.
Gerald Watson

you don't say what the subscription is after. A fter leaving Rexall,when Unicity came in I have been out of the loop,I started again to address the need for fiber,and to reduce my lipids,in which I succeeded,trying to get my physician interested for a leg,and two realters,and working on two others,you motivated me to the extent I have been working up a plan,do we have SKYPE as a tool?would be great to have this available.
Todd Smith

Gerald, I am sorry, but I don't know what you mean in your first sentence. If you want to chat about business, please send me an email to todd@littlethingsmatter.com.
Kindra Hall

"Believe in yourself and in your ability to make good decisions."
My favorite part! So true, so important ... and sometimes so difficult -- especially after weeks/months/a lifetime of making poor ones. Thanks for the insight Mr. Smith!
Todd Smith

Kindra, you will make great decisions if you focus on making great decisions. Be sure to read my next two posts on decisions. And, don't call me Mr. Smith! Being a grandpa makes me feel old enough. I don't need to feel older by being called Mr. Smith. :-)
Lisa Ibarra

I never really thought about it this way, but when I think about where I am at in life (relationships, money, success) it is all because of the little decisions I made, not just the huge ones (like marriage). I am going to be intentional about all the little decisions, knowing that they may seem insignificant, but that they are crucial and add to my overall lifestyle.
Todd Smith

Hi Lisa, Thanks for your comment! Just being aware of the impact of all your little decisions is the starting point!
Gerrid Smith

To answer your question about my methods of making these little decisions on a daily basis, this statement sums it up for me:

"Like any skill, as you become intentional about making positive decisions, you will get better and better."

If I chose to be intentional about looking for and doing the "little things", they become more apparent in my lifestyle. It all starts with a choice of wanting to do the little things, then be intentional about doing them. Whether I'm going to the grocery store or speaking with a client, being intentional about the little things is where it all begins.

-Gerrid
Todd Smith

Gerrid, I agree 100%! It begins with being aware of the little decisions you are making, then being intentional about making the right decisions. Great contribution!