“I have a choice?”, she asked, surprised.
“Yes, you DO have a choice,” I replied.
She looked at me in amazement, this hadn’t dawned on her.
She thought that if her phone rang she had to answer it.
You do have a choice whether you answer your phone or not, I said.
I could see her relax.
I was giving her permission.
You do have choice, in all areas of your life.
Whether you say yes or no,
Accept the invitation or decline it.
Agree to having all the family for Christmas or not.
Your choice may not go down well, but how people react is their choice!
Imagine going into a restaurant and there was only ONE choice on the menu.
How would that make you feel?
Compare that to having 5 options to choose from. You would feel as if you had some control over what you were going to eat that evening.
So many of us don't exercise our power of choice.
Why is that? Often the situation you're in is causing so much stress and anxiety or another negative emotion such as anger or frustration that it closes the brain down to thinking outside the box. Another reason is that you've never thought that there could be other options.
Exploring your options requires practice and imagination.
By stepping away from the situation that has triggered you, and taking time to assess what's going on, allows you to explore other options. This may be helped by meditating or journalling. This helps access the subconscious, which has all the answers! The more you practice exploring options the easier it will become and when you're put on the spot, you'll find yourself making the choice that fits your values.
Having choice empowers you.
It allows you to set boundaries.
It gives you control over your life.
It allows you to prioritise what is truly important to you.
It gives you confidence.
Having the confidence to exercise that choice is something covered in my online 𝟏𝟐 𝐖𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞, 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭-𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.
About the Author
Dr Andrea Haas is a Confidence Coach, Hypnotherapist, EFT Practitioner based in Sherborne, Dorset, supporting women to release their limiting beliefs and habits, connect with their self-worth, and embrace a more fulfilling life.
Find out more about Andrea's services or get in touch to kick start your personal growth today.
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