the choices i make

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ChoicesChoices

I I MakeMakeStudent Counseling ServicesStudent Counseling Services

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Every day we make hundreds, if not thousands, of choices.

Many of these choices are unimportant, but some have a profound significance on our lives.

Every time you answer your phone, you’re making a choice.

Every time you go to the gym, you’re choosing health.

Every time you go to class, you’re choosing academic success.

The problem is that many of our choices are unconscious or automatic, and we fail to see the long term consequences of them.

Recognizing the broad range of choices available, allows us to actively engage in making decisions in our lives.

You have an amazing ability to shape your life

because you have choice –

• In your relationships

• In how you take care of yourself – physically, emotionally, spiritually

• In your attitude

• In how you treat others

Every day, you make many choices that impact your relationships.

• How much time to spend with a person

• How to handle conflict

• What kind of behavior is acceptable

• When to leave painful relationships

Choices in Self-Care

• Getting enough sleep

• Avoiding over scheduling

• Eating nutritionally

• Exercising moderately

• Accepting your body size and shape

• Avoiding perfectionism

Choices in Attitude

Optimism

Hope

Mindfulness

Peace

The best choices come from clearly defined

If our values are poorly defined, we can become caught up in minor, daily distractions.

We fail to keep our long term goals in sight.

We often feel dissatisfied and our lives and work seem empty.

If you are unclear about your values, your decisions become haphazard, shallow, or meaningless.

One way to make better choices

in life is to clarify your values.

What are YOUR values?

Authenticity

Balance

Commitment

Compassion

Concern for Others

Courage

Creativity

Empathy

Excellence

Fairness

Family

Freedom

Friendship

Generosity

Genuineness

Happiness

Harmony

Health

Honest

Humor

Integrity

Kindness

Knowledge

Loyalty

Openness

Perseverance

Respect for Others

Responsibility

Security

Serenity

Service to Others

If you could only pick 10 of these values, which 10 would you pick?

If you could only pick 5 of these values, which 5 would you pick?

If you could only pick 1 value, which value would it be?

How can I integrate my values into daily living?

Turn them into behavior!

“Values that we fail to reflect in our behavior are ultimately empty.

To be meaningful, a value must influence

the choices that we make in our everyday lives.”

- Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz

If concern for others is a value for you, how is this reflected in your life?

Are you making time for relationships?Do you set appropriate limits and boundaries

in your relationships?

If health is a value for you, what are you doing to maintain or improve

your health? Scheduling time for working out?

Limiting drug and alcohol use?

Use images as reminders of your values.

Growth

Family

Beauty

Curiosity

Practice the values that

are important to you.

extend a helping hand

to someone in need

stand up against

racism & violence

See the positive, laugh with others

treat others with

respect & dignity

engage in

dialogues, not arguments

Collect quotes that inspire you.

“If you can’t be happy where you are, it’s a cinch that you can’t be happy where you ain’t.”

CHARLES “TREMENDOUS” JONES

“Seek not the good in external things; seek it in yourselves.”

EPICTETUS

Change your

thoughts & you

change your

world. NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything

in return. To just give.

That takes courage, because we don't want to

fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.

MADONNA

Be aware of peer pressure.

There are times when we are not in touch with our values and we rely upon the reason and choices of others to guide our lives.

We may imitate, copy, or follow the behaviors, thoughts, and actions of others.

We may want to go with the flow and don’t want to rock the boat.

We may not believe that we have the courage to stand up for our beliefs.

When we follow others, we have forfeited our power of choice and sacrificed our values.

We compose our lives

Moment by moment

Choice by choice

The choices you make today – about your relationships, your study habits, your self-care – have profound implications on your life.

“Live your dream by making deliberate

choices, not just responding to whatever

life throws your way.”

- MARCIA WIEDER

“A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It’s the testing point of our character and competence.”

- STEPHEN COVEY 

Suggested Readings & Resources:

- Covey, S. (1989). Seven habits of highly effective people: restoring the character ethic. New York: Fireside (trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.).

- Loeher, J., & Schwartz, T. (2003). The power of full engagement. New York: The Free Press (a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.).

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Illinois State UniversityStudent Counseling Services

320 Student Services Building Campus Box 2420Normal, IL 61790-2420

p 309.438.3655 | f 309.438.3004www. counseling.ilstu.edu

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