This Is How You Always Make A Choice

Before I dive in to today’s topic I have a funny - or ironic - story.  So on Sundays my husband and I have “exception days” - some of you may call it a "cheat" day.  Basically it’s simply a planned day to eat off of our normal protocol.  I think it’s just about every Sunday I plan to get us some ice cream as our exception. Full transparency - I don’t plan the flavor ahead of time and when I actually get to the aisle I can not decide which flavor to get!  There are soooo many choices!  Seriously you guys - there are even options for the dog.  What happened to the days I worried the vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry were going to run together? 


Typically the way it goes down, is I look at all the options and then tell myself I can’t make a choice and leave.
Because I’m choosing none of them. 
But we are always choosing to have the drink.
You can always create the life you imagine.


But here’s the funny part - by not choosing any of the ice cream I am actually making a choice - right?  


Here’s the thing - so many times in life we we feel like we don’t have control of what is going on. It’s like we think life is happening to us. But that is not the truth.

Here’s what I want to share with you today - It was a quote I received from my Master Coach Instructor, Brooke Castillo, over a year ago, and it goes like this -

Everything you do in your life is a choice, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

I thought - oh, that sounds so good - I should post it on social media.

But it’s in my daily work, since then, that I see it not only sounds good - but that it is the truth.

Let’s take this apart.

Everything you do in your life is a choice.

This seems really obvious when you are doing the work to set new goals and choosing your compelling reason and choosing the plan of attack.

But the part of the quote I find most fascinating - and sometimes most beneficial to be completely honest is “even when it doesn’t feel like it”. 

A big part of the work I’ve done and love to teach others is around the tools we use to stop over drinking. Often times my clients will say it feels like they are drinking against their own will. 

But as we learn the tools we know the process of over drinking comes from programmed thoughts we’ve thought over and over, and have become really good at thinking. 


It’s always your choice to go get the glass, go get the bottle, and pour the wine. It doesn’t just jump in your mouth from the kitchen to the living room.  You have to make a choice to get your butts up and go get it. 

So notice that - because - When you begin building awareness of the choices you are making you bring the power back to yourself, and begin choosing on purpose what we want to do.

I will tell you - the concept of knowing I always have a choice - even when I don’t feel like it - has been a game changer. I try to remember it all the time but of course I still need help I’m having it pointed out.

Most recently I was coached on a topic - shall I say story - I’ve told myself for years.

My corporate job is very fluid with timing. My schedule depends on doctors, OR schedules, insurance and patients. I don’t know my schedule until late afternoon he day before and so I never felt like I could plan the way I should.

My story has been I don’t have any control of my time - I can’t do plan.  Which led me to feel like such a victim of my time, and honestly left me in a state where I wouldn’t make important decisions on building my coaching practice. 

It wasn’t until I was coached, and it was pointed out to me I do have control - or choice in how my time is spent. I was like - no - you don’t get it - and started explaining my schedule again. Until I was stopped - and reminded - that I choose to stay at this job.

Wow - yes - I do have a choice - even if it didn’t feel like it.

It may seems so simple, or so obvious - but to me it has been such a life changer.  In fact - total side note - but I bought this amazing planner by Day Designer which has a beautiful page for each day to plan!  I just love it - and I am telling you - knowing I am choosing how to create the life I imagine is soooo much more fun!

Recognizing the power of choice -oh my goodness - seriously you guys - start paying attention. You always have a choice - even if it doesn’t feel like it to you. 


I hope you also choose to make this the best day ever.