The
Law of Requisite Variety: The organism with the
greatest number of responses available to it, is
the organism that survives.
Formulated
by Ross Ashby
Feature
Article:
The
Power of Choice
Living: Living intentionally requires the awareness that we are always
at choice in our lives. Our lives are not dictated by our circumstances
but rather created by the choices we make. How often have you heard someone
make a statement to the effect of “that’s just the way it
is and I have to live with it.” For example, my job is extremely
stressful and I just have to deal with it, or I don’t have time
to exercise or eat healthy. We toss these statements out like absolute
truths, simple observations about reality. However the truth is that
these are consequences of our choices and we are at choice every minute
of the day. We are not just “too busy,” rather too busy making
other choices about how we spend our time. And, that’s not just
the way it is. It is the way we have created it.
When
you find yourself in the land of that’s just
the way it is, its time to step back and ask yourself
what choices you are actually making. It takes getting
conscious about the choices we are making to take ownership
of our lives. When we are empowered and take responsibility
for what we can control in our lives, it opens up endless
possibilities. We can identify alternative choices
and new directions for change. Another important point
here is understanding that having choices doesn’t
mean we have to take action and change. Just owning
that we are at choice in the situation may be enough
to feel empowered and better about any given situation.
For example if you previously thought your job is "just
the way it is" and now you know you can leave
any time you want and that you're there by your conscious
choice, you may choose to stay there and may even find
the job more satisfying based solely on your new attitude.
I have heard tons of “yeah buts” to this way of thinking
and it undoubtedly has something to do with the past. I didn’t
choose to get laid off. I didn’t choose my parents or childhood
hurts, etc. No, maybe you didn’t. You do however get to choose
in this moment right now how to react and how to proceed. Looking back,
looking for explanations, placing blame and asking “why me” are
all possible choices. Choosing to release from the past and go forward
in a powerful fashion is also a choice. Sounds simple, right? What is
the one area of your life where you'd like to feel and be more at choice?
Notice what you accept is true, notice what else is true and make a choice
in how you want it to be in this aspect of your life. Making the choice
IS simple and the next step is getting into action based on empowered
choice. - More on that next month.
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Notes
from Joannie:
I
was first introduced to the concept of the power of choice
when I was in high school. My basketball coach Joe Vaughan
was constantly telling us “attitude is a choice.” Being
in high school, I often laughed at this advice with my “too
cool” attitude, but somewhere, even way back then,
I realized that this was a valuable lesson. It served
me well then and I can certainly say that it serves me
well to this day.
Some of you knew me when I was recruiting for finance and accounting
professionals in San Francisco. I found it very difficult to feel at
choice and empowered in this work environment. I found it competitive,
hypocritical and just not a fun place to be most of the time. I tried
every day to just choose to see it in a better way and I seriously struggled.
So I did what I could to improve the job and ended up making the choice
to leave! I chose to leave in good standing with my colleagues and management
and left feeling empowered for my next venture.
Knowing that I’m at choice in how I view the world and the actions
I take is very empowering and I still need a reminder every now and again.
In fact it’s good for me to remind myself everyday. There is always
something I can choose to let be easier or more fun.
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Complimentary
Coaching Session
Learn More on Working with Perspectives
The concept of choice can be extremely empowering when we learn to apply
it to seemingly immovable circumstances in our lives. What might be possible
if you approached your relationship, your job, or your parenting from a
perspective of being completely at choice? If you would like to explore
more during a 30-minute complimentary coaching session, please contact
me.
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Coming
Next Month: Deep Democracy
We were celebrating the arrival of Miss Katherine Grace Jorczak into
the world and the long lazy days of summer by taking the months of June
and July off from our publishing schedule. We will be going to a bimonthly
schedule starting in September. You can look forward to reading about
the importance of speaking your truth for your sake as well as the sake
of the world!
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