Written by: David Alison, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The last 6 years have brought much change in my life and many lessons learned as I went through a transformation, from a stress-ridden hard-drinking executive through a spiritual awakening and finding my life purpose.
This process was at times painful, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, balanced with moments of extreme joy, breakthrough, and fulfillment. In my own personal development journey, I have read and listened to many inspiring speakers, podcasts, and books. In my early days of transformation, every now and then, something would just hit me. One day I was listening to an audio of Zig Ziglar, an early pioneer in personal growth, and I heard:
“There are three Cs in life:
Choice
Chance
Change
You must choose to take a chance, or your life will never change."
This has stuck with me, and I use this frequently in my work with clients. As I experienced in my life many times, Change often happens whether we like it or not. The time that was the catalyst for me to make a big change was in 2017 when my corporate career ended. I decided from that day that I would much rather be deliberate about it when possible - to make the changes I choose to make, even if it means taking a chance. After all, the world is always changing; 2020 demonstrated that for all of us. I am sure anyone reading this will also have experiences that make you say, “Right, I want to change this” That is when you open yourself to what is possible, and the magic begins. The truth in all this is you always have a choice.
I was given the gift of these powerful questions by a good friend some years ago. As this year of Change rolls forward, I encourage you to ask yourself these questions when you must make Choices.
Will this choice propel me toward an inspiring future or keep me stuck in the past?
Will this choice bring me long-term fulfillment or short-term gratification?
Am I standing in my power, or am I looking to please another?
Am I looking for what is right, or am I looking for what is wrong? (BOTH ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE)
Will this choice add to my life force or rob me of my energy?
Will I use this situation as a catalyst to grow and evolve, or will I use it to beat myself up?
Does this choice empower me or disempower me?
Is this an act of self-love or self-sabotage?
Is this an act of FAITH or an act of FEAR?
I encourage you to make 2021 the year you find the time to think. Make choices from your Heart and take the chance to start living the life you want to live.
David Alison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
David Alison is a Master of Transformation & Change. After leaving school at 15 with no significant qualifications and being told by his first Manager that he would never make it in Management, David made it his mission to learn and embrace the skills required to deal with anything that life could throw at him. He went onto achieve a Masters degree in his specialist area of Supply Chain Management & Logistics at the renowned Cranfield University Business School in the UK. In 2015 he was appointed a board-level position in a Fortune 500 company based in Europe with international responsibility of 5 functional areas. This did not bring David the fulfillment he was expecting and he made the brave decision to make a complete career change and become a Transformational coach. After becoming a Certified ICF ACTP Level Coach in 2017, he then applied for and secured a contract to provide coaching services to one of the world's largest Personal Development companies. During his 3 year tenure as a Master Coach & Business Trainer, he completed in excess of 4000 client sessions in his Coaching & Therapy Business. David is currently working to develop a Non Profit organization providing Coaching, Therapy & Counselling services to Homeless people in Scotland, to help them take steps towards rehabilitation.
