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Five-step guide to making best choices in life

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You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Life is all about choices. Some we regret, some we are proud of, some of them haunt us forever. The message: we are what we choose to be.

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.

When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “My gift to you.” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So, it is with us. We build our lives a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with shock, we realise we have to live in the house we built. If we could do it over, we’d do it differently.

But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day, you hammer a nail, place a board, erect a wall. Your attitude and the choices you make today build the “house” you live in tomorrow.

Life is full of choices and so we often find ourselves in a fix to choose one over the other. Sometimes it’s easy, while sometimes it’s tough, but not if you follow these simple steps:

1. Make a list of your choices: There are 3 Cs in life; Choices, Chances and Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. The first step in this is for you to make a list of all your choices.

2.Think of what is best for you and your future: You are free to make whatever choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of the choice. So, think what works for you in the short, mid and long term.

3. Think of others who are impacted by your choice: Your choices not only affect you but also impact others. Don’t ignore them or be selfish, consider them while making a choice.

4. Make a decision: Make good choices today so that you do not regret tomorrow. Life is all about making choices and so always do your best.

5. Review your choice & make amends as required: The only thing that is constant in life is change, so no decision of yours is sacrosanct and is bound to change with time & circumstances. Be open and review your choices.