So Many Choices: How Intentional Are Yours?

Life is full of choices. Each day we make hundreds of decisions. Most are small and seemingly insignificant, but even those small daily decisions add up over time to make an impact on who we are and what we stand for.

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to make choice after choice without remembering to be intentional. We simply react to circumstances, rely on habit, or opt for the easiest, least messy option.  This is not the way to maintain an authentic and fulfilling life.

Instead we should pay attention to our small daily choices—not to stress over every teeny decision but to make sure we aren’t slowly drifting off course. Here are some questions you can ask as you go along that will help you remain intentional about the choices you make.

15 Questions that help you make better choices

1. Does the thought of buying/ doing/ experiencing this spark joy in my soul?
2. Will buying/ doing/ experiencing this make me feel comfortable in my own skin?
3. Will buying/ doing/ experiencing this make me feel like an imposter?
4. Am I agreeing to/ buying/ doing this in order to:
   • Impress others?
   • Please others?
   • Fit in?
   • Get someone off my back?
   • Avoid teasing?
   • Avoid conflict?
   • Avoid other negative repercussions?
5. Will this decision force me to bend my personal values?
6. Does this decision honor my personal values?
7. Does this decision support my passions?
8. Does this decision ignore my passions?
9. Will I be glad I made this choice tomorrow? Next week? Next month?
10. Am I letting fear intimidate me from choosing certain things?
11. Am I letting the negative voices in my head convince me I’m not good enough for certain things?
12. Am I too tired, hungry, upset, or confused to make this decision right now?
13. When was the last time I put self-care over the needs of others?
14. Does this decision invest in a valuable relationship?
15. Does this decision take me a step closer to a dream or goal?

Obviously, you don’t need to ask all 15 questions for every decision. Pick the ones that are most helpful to the situation. The key is to be aware of the longer-term impact of what we choose.

Please remember: Give yourself grace. Life is not perfect. Sometimes we must make compromises. Sometimes we must sacrifice what we want most in order to serve a larger purpose. Sometimes life overwhelms us and our decisions go to pot.

It’s OK. Just keep doing your best. One decision at a time.