Decide

Emerson said, "Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen." I have experienced this "truth" many times in my life. That's why I believe Emerson is onto something with this statement.

The biggest challenge many of us face is in making a decision, in choosing to commit. We make decisions in two ways: We decide actively, or we decide passively. It's the difference between doing something and doing nothing. And both decisions involve choice. We always "choose" that which we decide-doing something or doing nothing.

What stops us from making choices, from deciding? After conducting numerous workshops, managing and working with many people, and coaching individuals, I think I have the answer. And the answer is fear. If you were to look closely at the times you shied away from making choices, from deciding to take steps towards a more successful, more fulfilled life, I bet that it was fear that stopped you. Fear stops us from making decisions, choices, and a commitment.

Whether your decision is to go back to school or start a new career, be assertive. Ask for what you need in order to accomplish your goal.

Your real power is in the deciding. Once you do, then the universe knows what to send to you to make it happen. If you don't make your decisions known, the universe "says:" No decision...no can send you what you need.

Let me give you an example. Once I decided to offer workshops, I needed to learn how to do it. Years earlier I had attended a Toastmaster meeting (a public speaking group). But I didn't go back; I chickened out-that's another word for fear. Part of my excuse was that the meeting was a nighttime event and I didn't want to drive the distance every week in the evening. The truth, however, is that I was afraid.

But I knew that if I wanted to offer workshops, I would need to join Toastmasters and better my public speaking skills. So what happen? The universe began conspiring...

A few days later, a friend asked if I would attend a business meeting with him. The meeting was at 6:45 A.M. on a brutally cold February morning. I remember it was 2 degrees below zero when we arrived. The meeting began and the guest speaker was introduced. And guess what? The speaker was the president of a Toastmasters Club...a club that met in the morning. I joined the following week and a year later, I formed a local Toastmaster club in Sturbridge.

During that time, too, I decided I wanted to start a Mastermind Group-a group of individuals who meet on a regular basis to help and support each other. (For more about Mastermind Groups please see Chapter 10 of my book Find A Way.) So what happened next? I was having a conversation about our Toastmaster club with Margo Chevers, a professional speaker and trainer and a former Toastmaster. She wanted to join, but our Thursday evening meeting time conflicted with her schedule.

Now, our Toastmasters Club met in Sturbridge. However, on the first Thursday of each month, we had to meet at the Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield because the community room in Sturbridge was not available to us. After our first meeting at Hitchcock, I was standing outside in the parking lot when Margo exited the building. Her Thursday night "conflict" was a writers group that met at Hitchcock. We chatted a bit and then Margo said that she had been thinking about forming a Mastermind Group. The universe conspired....

It has now been three years since our Mastermind Group began meeting every month.

I could go on and on about these and the many other coincidences I've experienced. The point is this: Once I made a decision, the universe said, "Okay, Dennis, you decided...so hold on to your hat! And don't stop or push away any of the opportunities I send!"

What do you want to do? Your part is to DECIDE, take action, and watch what happens.

Remember Emerson's words: Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.

~ Dennis