While math may not be a lot of people’s favorite subject, the following are a few examples of how understanding some simple math can have a huge positive impact on your life. There are experts on the subject of the human brain that suggest we make anywhere from 2000 to 35000 decisions per day. Decisions as simple as whether to turn right or left in the store, what outfit to wear all the way up to buying a house or getting married.
A great number of our decisions are made simply in reaction to something that has happened. Being asked a question, getting hungry, financial crisis, etc. are a few examples of “events” that trigger a need for us to make a decision. These decisions are very often driven by habit and/or emotion. If you get hungry, you may have a habit of craving whatever tastes the best whether it is good for you or not. If someone hurts your feelings, then your emotional response may be to “return fire” or beat yourself up. Click here for more detailed examples of events and reaction.
Let us pick an arbitrary number and assume that a human being makes only 2000 decisions per day. Let us further assume that a few of these decisions are well thought out…what to include in a work proposal, the answer to an important question from a loved one, etc. Most likely less than 20 of our daily decisions would fit this description, but rather, most of these decisions are made out of habit or emotion. If this example were anywhere close to the truth, then well over 99% of our decision making would be done in a nearly unconscious or thoughtless manner. If 99% of our decision making were done without conscious thought and without being driven by purpose wouldn’t it explain why we are often caught off guard and set back by undesired results and circumstances?
Consider this: Think back over the last two or three days of your life. How many of the things you said and did were driven out of emotion or habit? Did you say something because someone “pushed your buttons”? Did you do something out of peer pressure? Not do something because of fear? Taking action or not taking action because you were just “going with the flow”?
What if as often as possible, each time an event occurred, that you were able to pause, think about the reaction that served you best, then acted or spoke?
In other words, when you get hungry, as often as you can choose a meal that will make you healthier and feel good as opposed to giving into craving and just what tastes good. (Click here for more specifics on good diet decision making) When confronted, instead of saying whatever comes out of your mouth, you pause and say something that is in your best interest. When deciding how to spend some spare time you decide to spend the time in a way that helps you grow or makes you feel good about yourself as opposed to just doing whatever is easiest or “feels good”.
What if you were able to raise the percentage of your decisions that were driven by purpose to a much higher one?
If 25% of your decision making were driven by purpose would your life be better or worse? What would 50% do for you?
If you are wanting change in your life but feel as though you don’t know where to start…consider this:
Life is changed in the most profound manner one decision at a time. Increase the odds in your favor! As the percentage of purpose driven decisions rises the more favorable your results and circumstances will be. Do the math!!!