Five steps towards powerful thinking

It is important to understand that you have choices; in fact you are exercising them all the time. But, behaviours can become so ingrained that you forget that there are choices, so it pays to remind yourself of all the choices you make in your life, moment by moment. So, let's say you decide to eat a bar of chocolate; this consists of a string of choices, which go something like this:



Choice 1 - to move your arm towards the bar of chocolate

Choice 2 - to pick up the bar in your hand

Choice 3 - to unwrap the bar

Choice 4 - to use the muscles in your arm to raise the bar to your mouth

Choice 5 - to open your mouth

Choice 6 - to bite off a piece of the bar

Choice 7 - to chew the chocolate

Choice 8 - to swallow the mouthful of chocolate

Choice 9 - to repeat these choices until the whole bar has gone



However, look at the big picture and be honest with yourself about the full range of choices that you do, in fact have. One of the choices you will always have is not to make any changes, at all. But, if your thoughts and behaviours don't change, such as always having a packet of crisps with your lunch, then the results won't change.

As it goes, most people see this choice as 'not doing anything different', and so they forget it is a genuine choice, just like all others. Indeed, at times life can be difficult, especially if you are feeling the pressure of illness or obesity and you know your current choices are not serving you with a positive outcome.



But, it is important to understand that you are the one making these choices and nobody else, as essentially this choice will affect you. For example, health is extremely important to all walks of life, yet the problem of obesity is continuing to rise in the UK. Of course, a change in your diet and quick weight loss will not happen overnight, but you have to believe that this can be achieved. However, you are also the only person who can make the decision to lose weight quickly, and implement the desired technique to do so.



As such, everyone has a lifetime of experience of looking to others such as friends, family and work colleagues for direction, answers and pats on the back. But, mastering the art of freethinking - and free choice - is a process of looking within and knowing that you are the one directing the show. As the old saying goes, if you put your mind to it, then you can achieve anything,



So, know that only you can only choose in the moment. Of course, plans, commitment and strategies have their place in your life, but only when they are not sabotaging or restricting your free choice in the moment. And, this is where the power is; if you are choosing to make positive changes from ingrained habits right now, these choices will pave the way to familiarity. As such, the ability to make choices should become easier, later on.



And, when you are in doubt about your choices, don't allow yourself to be guided by fear. It is all too easy to stop yourself from making changes because of fear - the fear of making a mistake, the fear of failure, the fear of the unfamiliar. Furthermore, don't let that fear drive you or indeed, choose for you. Instead, make contact with the love inside of you and allow that to guide you through.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.