The Economy & Choice
I consider myself a positive person. Lately though it seems like everywhere I go people are freaking out about the economy and acting as if their lives are not in their hands. So for the month of July (ironically the month we as a nation celebrate our independence) lets discuss choice.
Choice…. Isn’t that ultimately what it comes down to? You have a choice as to what you spend your time doing, whom you spend your time with, and where you choose to spend your money.
What do you want? Are you looking for a healthier life, a happier life, a more prosperous life, a more fulfilling life? Well then, are your choices in congruence with your desires? Let’s take a look at two main areas of choice that I believe are hugely responsible for a person’s success in achieving goals. First off let’s look at actions secondly then let’s talk about the company we keep.
Actions – If you say you want a healthier life are you choosing to feed your body with nutritious foods or non nutritious foods? If you want a healthier life are you choosing to workout or are you making excuses as to why you can’t. If you want a healthier life do you choose to use your free time watching endless hours of TV or are you exercising or involved in a recreational physical activity like dance, co-ed softball, Frisbee, or even gardening. (On average the typical adult watches 4+ hours of TV every day). What about your extra spending cash? Not to pick on you Starbucks fans but a $5 coffee 3-4 times a week ads up to about a grand per year. What about 500+ channel cable TV packages, smoking, and eating out? According to Forbes in 2006 Americans spend 42% of all their food expense eating out. And here’s something to keep in mind, $20 buys you one meal at a decent restaurant. But $20 at your local grocery store easily buys you 200-300% more food. So are your actions really congruent with what you want?
The company we keep- Recently I listened to an audio interview with Dr. John Berardi who is considered by many to be one of the leading sports nutritionists in the world. You know he said that all the psychological research proves that the most important factor to an individual’s success in ANY endeavor is their social network. Their friends, family members, loved ones and even coworkers all determine how successful they become. So let me ask you a question. Are the people that you spend your time with on the same path as you? Are they supportive in your quest to lead a healthier happier life? Do they see life as the glass is half full or half empty? Are the people in your life helping you grow and develop? Are they encouraging you to learn and progress forward? And are you doing the same for your friends?
In my own ongoing study of health and happiness I’ve found that people who have achieved these things always act according to what they say they want and socialize with people who want the same things in life.