We live in truly amazing times. If you are located in any part of the Western World, and perhaps almost anywhere on earth, it is astonishing to consider the nature of the society in which we live. Opportunities for formal education, informal education, the chance to read amazing books and other writings in other formats, blogs, podcasts, seminars, retreats, are boundless. The chance to launch a business and solve problems or capitalize on opportunities or sell solutions has never been easier. There’s almost no excuse to be held back – by any obstacle.

Think of all the things that can happen to enhance our physical health: fitness centers, intramural sports leagues of various sorts, nutrition stores that sell everything imaginable, beaches to run on, bodies of water to swim in, friends to put into a buddy system to keep us motivated and on track.

Here in the United States, we live in a capitalist society under a Constitutional Republic. Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea. . . the people there are not so lucky. Americans reject socialism and communism (although radicals do try to push for that from time to time) and embrace liberty, which means we have the chance to forge our own success without government intrusion.

Thus, there’s really no excuse for us to get out there and make something of ourselves. Individuals who are driven can have a huge impact on this world, on a large global scale, or a more modest local scale. Even if you do no more than make an impact for good on one individual, that alone can be enormously consequential.

I sometimes hear people speak as if they are victims, as if they are at the mercy of forces beyond their control, as if they are slaves to some system. They seem trapped, befuddled, and stressed. They speak in exasperated tones.

I’d like to have you consider two phrases:

I have to.

I choose to.

Of the two, which one do you say more often?

Take a moment and say them both out loud, deliberately. Try to notice how you feel when you say each of them? Do you notice a difference in your mental or emotional state when you utter each of the phrases in turn? I sure do.

To my ears, the phrase “I have to” sounds so burdensome. I feel like I’m trapped in drudgery. I feel like I am at the mercy of someone else’s agenda. I don’t feel like I’m in control.

Conversely, when I say the words “I choose to,” I feel empowered. I feel as if I am in control. My life wreaks of intentionality. I feel as if I have purpose and direction.

And here’s the secret: you can amp up your very mindset, your world-view, simply by changing your language from I have to to I choose to.

Case in point: just today I was handed a very solid business opportunity. Due to an honest misunderstanding, a huge hurdle eventually manifested itself. In order for me to capitalize on this great opportunity, a lot of unexpected research must be done first. This research will be time consuming and painstaking. I had incorrectly understood that the research would already be completed and then handed to me to act on, working my magic in ways very few others can. So the wind was taken out of my sales when I came to realize the research will not merely be handed to me.

I could respond by saying, “I have to do the research now, damn it.” Or, I could instead opt to say to myself, “I still see enormous value in this opportunity; it will be a bit more daunting than I expected, but I choose to do the necessary research.” Saying the former is unempowering and demoralizing and leaves one in a morass of indecision and inaction. Nothing happens. Everything stalls.

Conversely, saying the latter changes everything. Saying the latter suggests power and direction and agency, along with determination and commitment. True, an unexpected burden will be on my shoulders, but the struggle will be worth it. The results that come out the back end will be lucrative and stupendous. I’m up for the challenge. I choose to do the heavy lifting. I choose to make a difference. I choose to be successful.

And you can choose that same thing. Starting now.

So do it!