How To Make Good Life Decisions (Updated)

Article Title: How to Make Good Life Decisions (Updated)
Author: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Self Help, Personal Growth, Communication.
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles.htmln(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, words of inspiration and money management)

Publishing Guidelines:
We hope that the following article (an extract from Craig'snvery "wacky" manuscript, STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY
AND HAPPINESS) may be informative and helpful to your ezine readers, or on your webnsite. If it helps others "out there" in any way, then we're very happy.
This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published,nelectronically or in print.

We share what we know, so that others may grow."n n *
HOW TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS n nand especially the really important ones...

Life is full of decisions; we make hundreds of them every day.
Most are automatic and minor ones. However, occasionally we arencompelled to make vitally important decisions about majo
life-goals. These decisions are often practical or ethical ones.
For example, we occasionally have to take major decisions likenchoosing a marriage partner (assuming they'll take you, that is),nchoosing to leave a partner in marriage, or decisions about whatnto do with your life.

HINTS IN DECISION MAKING (not that I'm the expert decision make
- by a long "chalk"). Yes, teacher. n
A positive attitude to life helps make major decision making farneasier and less stressful. Here are some general hints onndecision making (although it's one of my weakest areas); but I'mntrying hard to improve... n
1. Get rid of your mental blocks.

2. Give up the notion that there is only one 'right solution' tonthe problem/dilemma you are confronting.

3. Don't fear making a mistake.

4. View your problems as a normal part of life (is thatnpossible?).

5. See yourself not as an indecisive person; but rather someonenwho sometimes behaves indecisively...that's a rather kind way ofnputting it.

6. Develop your intuition and logic, but listen to what you
heart says (gut feeling).

7. Stop and think before you act. Stop yourself doing the firstnthing you think of. That's me for sure!

8. Be specific.

9. Know what your goals and your values are, the principles ofnyour existence, before taking a major life decision. Ask yourselfnif the ideal outcome is in alignment with your values.

10. Write down all the positive and negative factors for andnagainst taking a particular course of action. Benjamin Franklinndid it in two columns when confronted with major decisions.

11. Think how the decision will benefit YOU first. Do what younand not what other people really want.

12. Try to think calmly and rationally (very difficult for me).

13 ("lucky"). Do your homework and get all the facts before younmake the decision. n
14. Get opinions and feedback from others you trust; but don'tnlet them make the decision for you.

15. Establish priorities and "soulsearch" (for a "soulmate"). Asknyourself what are the critical factors? What is the single mostnimportant consideration?

16. Trust your impulses, your "gut-feelings".

17. Don't take your decision too seriously; nothing is thatnimportant, no matter how much it appears like that to you. Asknyourself how much will it really matter in one, five or ten yearsntime? Remember, no decision is irreversible; if you find outnsome way down the track that you've taken the wrong course. Butnsome decisions are pretty important: finding another lover, orntrading in the "old man" (I chose that word very carefully; so Inwouldn't be beaten up by the feminists - I am a 55 kg.
"hen-pecked" weakling, who has stopped going to the beach,nbecause I always get sand kicked in my face!). After that longnsoliloquay... Great word that! Nice name for a girl!

18. Look for OPPORTUNITIES in any decision. Each "mistake" is annopportunity to learn. I've launched into a writing "career" fromna "mistake" coming to the other side of the world. Crazy wife! Anproblem became a great opportunity to do something I'd never eve
thought of (is it the "winds of fate", "the unseen hand of God",nperhaps). If you are making mistakes, you are not learning andngrowing. So say to yourself, "it doesn't really matter", or "sonwhat"...then "get into this world".

19. Accept total responsibility for your decisions.
Responsibility is not BLAME - so don't blame others for puttingnyourself in this predicament. Sorry 'wif'! This attitude helps tonrelieve your anger or resentment and gives one peace of mind.

20. Change course if your strategy is not working - the qualitynof your life is at stake. My mistake is that I persist on anchosen course for far too long at times, like writing! Learnnwhen to correct your direction. "If you don't change direction,nyou'll end up where you're heading".

Bear in mind that pilots are off course on their flight-path 90nof the time... but they still arrive at their destination.
Usually! When driving you are also continually making littlencorrections; so there's hope for me yet.

21. Be prepared to take a few risks in life. Look out fornopportunities. Every successful business or venture started outnwith an idea which was a risk. Nothing is infallible. Thenknowledge that you can handle anything that comes your way isnyour key to allowing yourself to take risks. Security is a statenof mind. It's not having things, it's handling things.n nand finally,

22. Look ahead to the future - the past is already gone.* See thenpath ahead as an adventure into the unknown and a time fornchallenge.nnand

23. NB:
Before making major life decisions, meditate or pray (if you are a "religious/spiritual type") about them. Listen to the still voice within, your soul, the "voice of God"...nbecause that is "divine (or highest) wisdom."

Edwin Hubbel Chapin once said: Every action of our lives touches onnsome chord that will vibrate in ete
ity." That is the definition of a legacy.

The key is choosing the right pathways for YOU. You are where you are today, as a result of the decisions you made yesterday (and the days before)...and where you will be tomorrow, will arise from your decisions you make today.

Cheers to your good decisions in the future...nand in so doing you may even leave a legacy by lighting a torch nfor future generations!

Shine that bright light that is within you.

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions: "Incorrigible Encouragers, Information and Inspiration Distributors")nhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com nn* P.S: I love the following quotation...

"The past is history, the future is a mystery, and this moment isnthe gift, that is why this moment is called the present." n- anonn
"Your belief determines your action and your action determinesnyour results, but first you have to believe." n- Mark Victor Hansenn
"God, the Source of Life", will never give you a desire, anvision, an individual dream without your having thenability/potential for it to come to pass." n - craig n
The various books that Craig 'felt inspired to write' are available at: nhttp://www2.webng.com/write
z/books.html

"Empowering others through the power of words and thught energy."

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHEDnnnnlready tomorrow in little scenic and tranquil New Zealandn