Mastering the Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success

1. Take Responsibility for Your Life and Choices

The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. I will not let my history control my destiny.

Own your decisions. Taking responsibility for your life is the foundation of personal success. It means acknowledging that your current situation is a result of your past choices and actions. By accepting this, you empower yourself to shape your future.

Avoid the blame game. Blaming others or circumstances for your problems only weakens your ability to change. Instead, focus on what you can control:

• Your thoughts and attitudes
• Your reactions to events
• The actions you take each day

Create your future. Once you take responsibility, you can begin to create the life you want. This involves:

• Setting clear goals for yourself
• Making choices aligned with those goals
• Learning from mistakes instead of dwelling on them
• Continuously improving and adapting

2. Seek Wisdom Through Reading, Counsel, and Service

I will seek wisdom. God moves mountains to create the opportunity of His choosing. It is up to me to be ready to move myself.

Read voraciously. Wisdom often comes from the experiences and insights of others. Make reading a daily habit:

• Aim to read at least one book per month
• Focus on non-fiction, biographies, and personal development books
• Take notes and reflect on what you read

Seek wise counsel. Surround yourself with people who can guide and challenge you:

• Create a personal "board of directors" of mentors and advisors
• Listen to those with more experience in areas you want to improve
• Be open to feedback and constructive criticism

Serve others. Paradoxically, serving others can lead to gaining wisdom for yourself:

• Look for opportunities to help those around you
• Volunteer in your community
• Share your own knowledge and experiences with others

3. Become a Person of Action to Achieve Your Goals

Many people move out of the way for a person on the run; others are caught up in his wake.

Take immediate action. Success comes from consistent, purposeful action. Don't wait for perfect conditions or more information – start now:

• Break big goals into smaller, actionable steps
• Do something every day that moves you closer to your goals
• Embrace imperfect action over perfect inaction

Overcome inertia. The hardest part is often getting started. Use these strategies to build momentum:

• Use the "5-second rule": Count down from 5 and then take action
• Start with the smallest possible step
• Create accountability by sharing your goals with others

Learn by doing. Action is the best teacher. As you take action:

• Pay attention to what works and what doesn't
• Adjust your approach based on feedback and results
• Celebrate small wins to stay motivated

4. Maintain a Decided Heart to Overcome Obstacles

Criticism, condemnation, and complaint are creatures of the wind. They come and go on the wasted breath of lesser beings and have no power over me.

Commit fully to your decisions. A decided heart means making choices and sticking to them, even in the face of challenges:

• Clarify your values and priorities
• Make decisions based on those values
• Stand firm in your convictions

Ignore naysayers. Critics and doubters will always exist. Don't let them deter you:

• Focus on your vision and goals
• Surround yourself with supportive people
• Use criticism as fuel to prove doubters wrong

Overcome fear and doubt. A decided heart requires courage:

• Acknowledge your fears, but don't let them control you
• Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth
• Visualize success to boost your confidence

5. Choose Happiness and Cultivate a Grateful Spirit

Today I will choose to be happy. My very life is fashioned by choice. First I make choices. Then my choices make me.

Happiness is a choice. Your happiness is not determined by external circumstances, but by your internal attitudes and choices:

• Start each day by deciding to be happy
• Practice smiling and laughing more often
• Seek out positive experiences and people

Cultivate gratitude. A grateful spirit is the foundation of lasting happiness:

• Keep a daily gratitude journal
• Express appreciation to others regularly
• Focus on what you have rather than what you lack

Spread joy to others. Happiness multiplies when shared:

• Perform random acts of kindness
• Compliment others sincerely
• Be a source of encouragement and positivity

6. Embrace Forgiveness to Liberate Your Spirit

Forgiveness is a secret that is hidden in plain sight. It costs nothing and is worth millions. It is available to everyone and used by few.

Forgive others unconditionally. Holding onto anger and resentment only hurts you:

• Let go of past hurts and grievances
• Forgive even those who haven't asked for forgiveness
• Understand that forgiveness is for your benefit, not theirs

Forgive yourself. Self-forgiveness is crucial for personal growth:

• Acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them
• Release guilt and shame over past actions
• Treat yourself with the same compassion you'd offer a friend

Practice ongoing forgiveness. Make forgiveness a habit:

• Address hurts and misunderstandings quickly
• Look for the good in others' intentions
• Use forgiveness as a tool for personal freedom and peace

7. Persist Without Exception to Ensure Success

I will persist without exception. Knowing that I have already made changes in my life that will last forever, today I insert the final piece of the puzzle.

Never give up. Persistence is the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals:

• Commit to your goals for the long haul
• View setbacks as temporary and learning opportunities
• Remind yourself that success often comes after multiple failures

Take consistent action. Persistence requires ongoing effort:

• Break large goals into daily actions
• Create habits and routines that support your goals
• Track your progress to stay motivated

Maintain faith in your vision. Belief in your ultimate success is crucial:

• Visualize your desired outcome regularly
• Surround yourself with reminders of your goals
• Draw inspiration from others who have persevered and succeeded

Last updated: September 21, 2024