It is an absolute that there are natural laws – universal principles that exist and act in our lives whether we believe it or not. These are no different than the law of gravity which basically says that what goes up must come down unless you remove gravity from the environment.
As it pertains to our personal growth, it is imperative that we are aware of, understand and apply these principles in our lives. The pinnacle of success is achieved only when we adhere to natural laws.
This article focuses on the natural law of Choice & Result. The absolute of this universal principle is that every choice has a specific end result. To the degree that you understand this natural law and how it applies to your personal growth, the results you achieve will reflect the same.
The goal then is to help you properly define Choice and
Result and then understand its most effective application in your life and for
your personal growth.
The Meaning of
Choice
While choice by definition means preferences, selection and options, I wanted to broaden its scope by delving even deeper. Choice at its very core; the spirit of it is truly about alternatives, abundance, possibilities and pro-activity.
To take it a step further, choice is a responsibility; it centers on our ability to choose (select) our responses in any given situation. It is about being proactive in all that we do. This is why Choice is the Ultimate Power.
The mere fact that we all have choices is indicative of the infinite possibilities that we can never exhaust. The examples of this principle are numerous.
Who knew that the Internet would connect billions of people around the world in common bonds? What about Google? Who knew such a simple interface would have the power to help you find what you want when you wanted it – all in a virtual space? The list goes on and on and on… you can never exhaust it.
This is the true meaning of choice.
The Meaning of
Result
A result is the effect of a choice; it is the outcome caused by a decision that has been made. In the interest of broadening the scope of the word even further; a result is the consequence of a possibility.
Yes, I am oversimplifying; however, I want you to get a simple point. The point is that results are not accidents; they are directly linked to choices. Even when we do not mean for something to happen and it happens any way, this result is due to a choice that was made.
We may call it an accident and that’s fine for context; however, it is important to understand that a different choice would have produced a different result. In this vein, it is plain to see that we have the ultimate power to affect the results we achieve by making the right choices to do so.
Simply put, there are no accidents. Every situation is
precipitated by choices whether you believe it or not or whether you are aware
of it or not. The fact that you are ignorant does not mean that the principle
is not at play.
The Principle of
Choice
I have written about choice extensively; still, I constantly get bombarded with comments and opposing arguments regarding my stance on choice as the ultimate power. The fact is that choice is a principle; it exists whether you believe it or not. It is always working whether you are aware of it or not.
Choice precipitates thoughts and actions; it is where the party begins.
OK… I’m going to attempt to anticipate all the questions,
comments and resistance to this belief. Of course whether you believe me or not
is absolutely irrelevant since principles merely exist and operate without bias
and in a timeless vortex.
1. Unconscious Incompetence
These are the choices we make in total and complete ignorance. We have no clue that other possibilities even exist so we just take whatever options are handed to us. This is the state of mind when you don’t know what you don’t know; nonetheless, you are still making choices. A choice to be ignorant though foolish is still a choice.
2. Conscious Incompetence
In this state of mind at least you
do have an understanding that you don’t know everything and more importantly
that there are other possibilities. You still aren’t in a frame of mind to make
the best choices; however, this is a good place to make new discoveries. You
have made the choice not to be an ignorant moron.
3. Conscious Competence
In this mindset, you have elevated
your game to making proactive choices to learn and grow. You completely
understand that there are other possibilities. Furthermore, you believe that
your success comes from the choices that you make and so you begin to practice
and develop good habits. You are now aware that you don’t know squat and more
importantly you are completely open to learn and discover new ways of doing
things. You now understand that practice makes perfect.
4. Unconscious Competence
This is the pinnacle of the ultimate power of choice; in this mindset, proactivity is now a habit; you are this way even when you sleep. Your choices are grounded in correct principles and you have high self value. Of course you are still learning new things; however, the habits that you have mastered are now a part of your DNA.
Your choices surrounding these values you hold dear are now on automatic pilot. This is where the strength of your character becomes predictable which provides you a solid reputation for saying what you mean and doing what you say. You now consistently achieve the results you desire.
These are the 4 mindsets of making
choices; whether you believe it or not, you are in one of these mindsets each
time you make a choice. I know that I have been in all 4 of them; I also know
that I am in mindset 3 and 4 more often than not these days. Can you say the
same?
The Principle of
Result
Since choice is a principle, then it stands to reason that the effect of choices is also a principle – results. Achieving the results you desire depend almost entirely upon the choices you make.
Stephen R. Covey puts it this way…
We have no control over 10% of the things that happen to us because those result from the choices other people make. The other 90% of what happens to us is based on how we respond to the 10%.
Simply put, while 10% of the things that happen to us are out of our control, the other 90% certainly is based on how we handle that 10%. This is known as the 90/10 principle.
There are 3 different types of results we can achieve.
1. Monotonous
Monotonous results are repetitious and same; they usually include making the same choices over and over again while expecting different results. This is of course the definition of insanity; still, many individuals fall into this trap constantly. These types of results are most likely the product of the level 1 mindset of choice – unconscious incompetence. It can also occur in the level 2 mindset if you have not yet reached the threshold of pain for your particular situation.
The fact is that people don’t change
until the need for change becomes self-evident so monotony is something you are
likely to experience in your results until you choose to change.
2. Unexpected
These are the “accidents” of the world; the results you do not plan for. Although unexpected, they are still precipitated by choice. While these results can occur at any mindset level, it is much easier to grasp and adapt when you completely understand choice. An unexpected result occurs when you make a choice in the hopes of achieving one thing and end up achieving something different.
The fact that you ended up with unwanted or unexpected results does not negate the fact that had you not made the choices you did, you would not have achieved the results you did. Unexpected results are not necessarily bad and are infinitely good if you can always find the lesson or wisdom within them.
3. Expected
These are the results that you do plan for; your choices are deliberate in these instances. When you achieve the results you desire, it is due to a series of choices that you made purposely to do so.
For the most part expected results happen when choices are made in the level 3 and 4 mindset. In these mindsets, you begin your journey at the finish line and then take the appropriate steps to achieve the vision and the mission. With a strong focus on the goal and diligence in execution, deriving expected results becomes – well – more expected.
These are the 3 types of results that you can achieve. Whether you believe it or not, you achieve these results based on the choices that you make. Your mindset level when making the choices will greatly influence the type of results you achieve.
The Natural Law of Choice & Result is constantly at work – nonstop – and unbiased. These are universal principles that do not break or change – they merely exist and operate whether we believe that they do or not.
Take a hard look at your own life and situation; examine
your own personal growth challenges and I am sure that if you are honest with
yourself, you will realize the power in understanding the principles of choice
and result.
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