Challenges are the catalyst for creating new choices, chances, and changes.

★There are Three Cs in life: CHOICE, CHANCE, CHANGE. You must make a CHOICE to take a CHANCE, or your life will never CHANGE★ ~Zig Ziglar

THE POWER OF CHOICES. CHANCES. CHANGES.

There is so much power in those 3 little words - life-changing power! These 3 little words can unlock the power to create the life and lifestyle of your dreams! I imagine that is why this Zig Ziglar’s quote is so famous: “There are three Cs in life: Choice, Chance, Change. You must make a Choice to take a Chance, or your life will never Change!”

Another famous quote by Denis Waitley further expands on the subject: “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist or accept the responsibility for changing them.” Personal and Professional Development experts know the transformational power of these 3 words to help people take the chances and make the choices to change their life for the better.

★We Cannot Become What We Want By Remaining What We Are★  Max Depree

These 3 powerful words can also evoke resistance, which is usually based on past experiences of choices we made, chances we took or changes we made that led to painful consequences. That resistance can also be based on the choices we didn’t make, the chances we didn’t take, or changes we didn’t make that led to painful consequences or left us with regrets.

Those past experiences may cause fear and doubt to keep us trapped in our challenges and circumstances. Those past experiences may also cause us to doubt our ability to make good choices and cause us to fear taking chances. That leads to fear and resistance to making the needed changes to create a life and lifestyle that we truly love.

CHOICE: A Decision You Make Based on a Comparison of More than One Option

CHANCE: An Opportunity that Presents Itself & The Risk Associated with Pursuing that Opportunity

CHANGE: To Experience Transformation or to Transition or to Change Course

If we do an honest evaluation of our life, we will most likely discover that most of those changes, choices, and changes have been within our power. The benefit of that painful truth is that if those changes, choices, and changes have created the life we have lived up until now, taking different chances and making different choices can change the life we live now and in the future for the better!

In this article, we will expand upon these 3 powerful words from a personal and professional development perspective and explore the opportunities that challenges present for choice, chance, and change. As a Certified Dream Coach©, this article is written with the goal of helping you transform challenges into changes that empower you to create the life and lifestyle of your dreams!

THE POWER OF CHALLENGES

It is no secret that life is full of challenges – work challenges, health challenges, emotional challenges, family challenges, financial challenges…and the list goes on. While the word challenge is usually considered in a negative perspective when used in connection with problems, many challenges can be a powerful positive catalyst for change to create the life of our dreams.

While some challenges and circumstances are completely beyond our control, one of the most difficult things for us to accept is the fact that our life right now is the result of the many chances we have taken – or not taken – as well as the many choices we have made – or not made – that have either changed our life for the better or for the worse.

A challenge often causes us to stop and reevaluate our lives and our life choices. It can also bring us to a crossroads where we must make a choice or take a chance that changes our life. Most of the great success stories include a challenge that brought them to a crossroads and became the catalyst that caused them to make choices, take chances and make changes that led to their success.

★Challenges Can Be the Catalyst to Make the Choices & Changes to Create the Life of Your Dreams★

Challenges present the opportunity for us to choose to change or they can force us to change. Either way, we have the opportunity to make choices and take chances we never dreamed we would take that can result in becoming someone we never dreamed we could be and accomplishing things we never dreamed we could do, and leading us to places we never dreamed we would go.

THE POWER OF CHALLENGES TO CREATE A NEW LIFE-CHANGING COURSE

My own story is a perfect example of how life challenges can be the catalyst that leads you to the crossroads that leads you to make the choice to create a new life-changing course…My personal challenge started over 30 years ago when an accident suddenly turned my life upside down and left me bedridden on and off for 9 long years with multiple injuries and serious health challenges. A friend eventually introduced me to a natural health product that literally saved my life! That fueled my passion and my mission to become a natural health expert in order to help others restore their health naturally. But I didn’t start out in the business.

My friend kept trying to convince me to join the business, but I kept telling her I wasn't a salesperson and I didn’t want to be a salesperson! I just wanted to help people! One day I was telling her how heartbreaking it was that there were people who desperately needed the product but could not afford it. Then she said the critical words that changed everything… She said that if I joined the business, I could make enough money to give the product away to everyone and anyone!

That touched my heart and ignited my passion, even more, to turn the business into my mission! I immediately made the choice to take a chance and joined the business and personally-sponsored thousands of customers and reps and generated millions of dollars in life-changing product sales! I was an entrepreneur at heart but I could not figure out what business to pursue.

My challenges had finally led me to discover my “Dream Biz!” I was finally achieving my dream of “Making a Living & Making a Difference!” My challenges and those defining moments in my life changed the course of my entire life! It began a journey that led me to discover natural health, as well as this amazing profession, that led me to discover many other passions as you can see in my bio. More importantly, not only did my challenges change MY life, but they changed the lives of tens of thousands of people over the past 25 years!"

Over the last few years, many of us suddenly faced life-altering and even life-threatening challenges, many of which were beyond our control! We also faced many life-defining moments as we tried desperately to find our “new normal” while still trying to deal with the sudden and constant challenges, changes, and chaos.

The challenges we faced caused many of us to look at the choices we were making in our lives and re-evaluate what was really important to us – our priorities, our values, our goals – and came to the conclusion that there are more important things in life than work and money and we were no longer willing to sacrifice what is most important in our life for a job or career.

Quality of life moved to the top of the list of what we value most and we realized that in order to create the quality of life we desired, we had to make choices we never thought we would make, take chances we never thought we would take and make changes we never thought we could make, to align our lives with our priorities, values, and goals. That was especially true in our jobs and careers.

★The Great Resignation ~ The Great Reevaluation ~ The Entrepreneurial Revolution★

★Millions Take The Chance & Make The Choice To Change Their Career & Lifestyle★

While we hear a lot about “The Great Resignation,” we don’t hear as much about “The Great Reevaluation” that led to “The Great Resignation” and “The Great Entrepreneurial Revolution!” According to news reports, over 47 MILLION people made the choice to resign from their jobs or careers in 2021 - and that trend has continued in 2022 with millions making the choice every month!

Many of those workers surveyed faced similar challenges that forced them to make the choice to change jobs or careers or take a chance by starting their own business. Those reasons included increased health risks, workload, work hours, exhaustion, physical illness, and mental illness as well as decreased fulfillment, appreciation, time with family, personal time, and more.

Of course, we cannot ignore the fact that remote work became an option for many workers and once they enjoyed all the benefits of the work-at-home lifestyle, the thought of going back to their old work lifestyle was not going to work for them anymore! They had achieved a life balance that they had only dreamed of and they were not willing to give up that lifestyle.

While “Work-Life Balance” used to be reserved mainly for conversations with a Life Coach, it quickly became the conversation around the world as people began to realize that they no longer wanted their life to revolve around their work and wanted their work to revolve around their life. They began to realize they had choices and began to contemplate those choices and make changes.

We saw the results of those conversations, choices, and changes as millions of people walked away from jobs and careers and made the choice to choose work or start their own business that allowed them to create a more balanced lifestyle with a flexible schedule so they could spend more time with their family and take care of their physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing.

★Millions Make the Choice to Align Their Work with Their Priorities, Values & Goals★

We also saw millions of people align their work with their priorities, values, and goals by making the choice and taking the chance to start their own business so they could pursue work that was more meaningful, more purposeful, more impactful and more fulfilling, and work with people who share their values, vision, mission, and passion.

Interestingly, that alignment of priorities, values, and goals was more important to many people than making more money. In fact, there were many people who made the choice to leave high-paying jobs or careers and take the chance of pursuing a mission-driven, passion-driven, purpose-driven business so they could make a living AND make a difference!

★Millions Discovered There’s No Place Like Home★

During all these challenges, some industries struggled to survive, while other industries thrived. That is especially true of the home business industry, as millions of people experienced the benefits of working from home and quickly discovered that there is truly no place like home! This led to an entrepreneurial revolution as millions of people started their own entrepreneurial ventures!

For example, Shopify, an online shopping platform, reports that they are responsible for “Empowering millions of independent business owners in 175 countries to generate $200 BILLION USD in sales!” Etsy and other online selling platforms also exploded as millions of people made the choice and took the chance to use their talents and skills to create and sell their unique products online.

★The Power of the Direct Sales & Network Marketing Industry★

The Direct Sales and Network Marketing industry also continued to thrive, which is no surprise, since many companies and reps were already doing business virtually and online, capitalizing on the popular social selling trend and using mobile selling apps. So, it did not take long for most companies and reps to transition to a completely online and virtual business model.

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) reported that 2020 hit record highs in the US for retail sales of over $40 BILLION with over 7.7 MILLION direct sellers and over 40 MILLION customers! Global sales in 2020 are estimated at over $300 BILLION with 250 MILLION direct sellers. This trend continues around the globe as more people discover the power of direct sales and network marketing.

The direct sales and network marketing industry also continue to thrive because it is one of the fastest, easiest, and least expensive ways to start a home business – usually with startup options of less than $100. It offers a great opportunity for people to make the choice to change their career and start their own home business with little or no startup cost, inventory, overhead, experience, or risk.

The direct sales and network marketing industry is also known for its turnkey benefits, providing everything a new business owner needs to start their new business, including a website, marketing materials, etc. for a small fee or for free. Valuable training and mentoring are also provided for free to increase the chances of success. All these benefits make this home business option a great choice!

★Making a Living & Making a Difference★

Interestingly, the benefit that draws most people to this industry is that it empowers them to “Make a Living & Make a Difference!” It is a life-changing experience for many reps to change the lives of other people – and the more lives they change, the more money they make - which allows them to change even more lives by giving to the people and charities that are closest to their heart.

THE POWER OF CHOICE

Choices have power! Choices have the power to change lives for the better or for the worse. We make hundreds of choices every day. Some choices we make out of habit and some require deeper consideration. Some choices have little impact on our lives and some have a powerful life-changing impact. The great news is that every day is a new chance to make a new choice to create a new life!

★Every Day is a NEW CHANCE to Make a NEW CHOICE to Create a NEW LIFE★

Many personal and professional development experts tell us that the life we are living now is a result of all the choices we have made until now. Depending on how we define the life we are living now, that can be good news or bad news. However, the great thing about life is that we get to choose - and one single choice has the power to change our entire life!

While some choices are made for us in life, and there may be nothing we can do to change our circumstances, the truth is, that we have a considerable amount of control over our lives by the choices and changes we make. In fact, in many areas of life, we have the power to make our own choices. However, too many of us give up our power or do not believe we have the power.

When we consider the countless stories of people who have faced serious challenges and instead of accepting their life circumstances, they challenged them and changed their entire life, we realize the truth about how much control we have over our life. These inspiring stories prove that it is possible to change our lives if we have the courage to take chances and make better choices to change our life.

★If We Want a Better Life, We Need to Make Better Choices★

No matter where we are right now, remember that we may only be one choice away from a different life! However, if we want a better life, we need to make better choices. To make better choices, we need to examine where we are now and how we got here so we can avoid making the same choices that brought us here and risk being caught in a perpetual loop of bad choices and circumstances.

If we are wondering if we are making good choices in life, we can simply examine and evaluate where we are in life right now by asking some simple, yet powerful, self-coaching questions:

• What are my circumstances in the 3 main areas of our life – physical, emotional, and financial?
• On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied am I with each of these areas of my life?
• What choices have I made to create the circumstances I love about my life?
• What choices have I made to create the circumstances I want to change in my life?
• What do I have the power to change and how can I create that change?
• What challenges am I experiencing in my life now that I believe I cannot change?
• What other choices could I make to take control and change the circumstances?
• If the challenge cannot be changed, how can I cope with or compensate for the challenge?
• What choices have I made that brought me closer to my goals and dreams?
• What choices have I made that moved me further from my goals and dreams?
• What choices can I make right now to move me one step closer to my goals and dreams?

Once we know where we are now and how we got here, we can start to examine how to make better choices for a better life. To do that, we need to consider the short-term and long-term consequences of those choices in our lives and the lives of those around us. Short-term choices made without careful consideration can create long-term challenges.

Consider the impact of these questions:

• How will my choice impact my life now - both positively and negatively?
• How will my choice impact my life in the future - both positively and negatively?
• How will my choice impact those around me now – both positively and negatively?
• How will my choice impact those around me in the future – both positively and negatively?

While there are many versions of his words, Albert Einstein is credited with the realization that we cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that we used to create them. This realization should lead us to the conclusion that we need to consult with experts and expert resources before making any choice that could potentially change our life and our life course.

We can ask:

• What experts can I consult with to help me make the best choice?
• What expert resources can I research to help me make the best choice?
• Who have I consulted with in the past that led me to make the worst choices?
• Who have I consulted with in the past that led me to make the best choices?

Another area to consider is the fact that we make choices both intellectually and emotionally, which is often referred to as a heart choice and a head choice. There are those who follow their heart and rely on emotions such as enthusiasm and passion to make choices. Then are those who evaluate the choices in a logical, practical, analytical, and intellectual manner. Then there are those who do both.

★Follow Your Heart But Take Your Head With You★

A head choice is made by doing an honest evaluation of the choices that led us to the life we live now, by conducting extensive research, consulting with trusted experienced advisors, and making a list of pros and cons, which all leads to an intellectual choice. A heart choice is made by following what stirs our emotions and ignites our passion and enthusiasm in our hearts.

"As a Certified Dream Coach, who helps people "Discover Their Passion & Turn Their Passion Into Profit," I believe the heart's emotions like passion and enthusiasm are a powerful part of the process, but I also believe that life decisions should never be based solely on wishes, hopes, and dreams. So, I always say to follow your heart, but take your head with you! Thankfully, there are many choices to do both!"

We cannot make decisions in life only based on our emotions or heart because our hearts can lead us to make the wrong choices. So, it is critical to make sure that following our heart is backed by solid intellectual evidence that we are making the right choice.

We can ask some self-coaching questions to help us determine if we are making the right choice:

• What evidence is there that this choice is the right choice for me?
• Who else has made this choice and did it turn out as expected?
• What caused their choice to turn out or not turn out as expected?
• What do I need to DO to make this choice turn out as expected?
• Who do I need to BE to make this choice turn out as expected?
• What do I need to HAVE to make this choice turn out as expected?
• What is my contingency plan if it does not work out as expected?

Whatever choices we make in business and in life, remember that ONE choice can change the entire direction of our entire business and life! So, choose wisely!

THE POWER OF CHANCE

Life is full of chances and risks. In many areas of life, we have to take chances and risks in order to thrive and survive. There are crazy risks and there are calculated risks. We are talking about calculated risks in this article. What is at stake often determines how much risk we are willing to take. However, we can minimize our risk by carefully considering our choices as mentioned in this article.

★You Cannot Discover New Oceans Unless You Have the Courage to Lose Sight of the Shore★  ~Andre Gide

One of the risks that is inevitable in life is making choices about our jobs or careers. Most of us have been raised to believe that the safest path with the least risk is to go into debt to get a college degree and get a job where we are forced to work for 40 hours a week for 40 years until we retire and then we try to live on what we could not live on when we were working. Now that is a crazy risk!

That is why it is so important to carefully evaluate the risks and rewards of changing jobs or careers or starting a new business. How will making those choices and taking those chances impact our life and the lives of those around us? It is important to consider the short-term and long-term cost. It is never wise to make a long-term choice with short-term thinking.

While it is important to consider the cost of making the choice and taking the chance, it is also important to consider the cost of not making the choice and taking the chance. Some people let life happen to them because they lack the courage to make the choice or take the chance - or they fear making the wrong choice. In reality, by not making the choice, they let life make the choice for them.

We can minimize the impact of any choice by finding ways to minimize the risk. For example, many entrepreneurs minimize their risk by using their job or career income to start their business on the side until it meets or exceeds their job or career income on a steady basis. This allows them the freedom to make the best choices, take chances and make the changes that lead to success.

These self-coaching questions may help evaluate whether or not to take the chance:

• Who else has taken this chance and how did it turn out?
• What chances have I taken in my life that turned out well and why did they turn out?
• What chances have I taken in my life that did not turn out well and why didn’t they turn out?
• What is the cost of making the choice and taking the chance?
• What is the cost of not making the choice and taking the chance?
• What is my contingency plan if I take the chance and it does not work out as expected?
• What chance am I willing to take to move closer to my goals and dreams?
• What chance am I not willing to take to move closer to my goals and dreams?

★Every Day is a NEW CHANCE to Make a NEW CHOICE to Create a NEW LIFE★

We know that an unknown is a scary place. There is so much that exists outside of our comfort zone. But that is also where the greatest opportunities are usually found! Imagine the powerful possibilities if you could expand your comfort zone into all those areas of business and life that scare you now? How would your life change? What new choices, chances, and changes would be possible?

Remember that every day is a new chance to make a new choice to create a new life! Taking one single chance can be the catalyst that changes your entire life!

THE POWER OF CHANGE

The definition of "CHANGE" in the dictionary is "to make someone or something different or to replace something with something else, something new or something better." We are considering a change in the context of making changes to create something new and something better in our lives since we cannot be satisfied with the status quo if we want to create the life of our dreams.

Change is inevitable and unavoidable. The world is evolving at lightning speed and change is constant, so we need to quickly adapt and change to maintain our balance and well-being in life. We know that some circumstances are beyond our control, while others are within our control. Yet, surprisingly, many people make the choice not to change the things that are within their control.

Challenges can be the catalyst for change but change can also create challenges! Both will reveal our strengths and weaknesses, providing the opportunity to capitalize on our strengths and strengthen our weaknesses. It is no secret that some changes can be uncomfortable and even painful. But the pain of making changes to create a better life far outweighs the pain of staying where we are now!

★Change Can Be Painful But Nothing is as Painful as Staying Where You Are Now★

Throughout our lives, circumstances constantly change, requiring us to reevaluate our lives and make the choices necessary to change our circumstances or at least cope with the unchangeable circumstances. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we CAN change how we view our circumstances until they change or we can find a way to change or at least minimize them.

We have all heard inspiring and empowering stories of people who have triumphed over the most tragic circumstances in life by making the choice to overcome their challenges and change their circumstances in powerful ways. These stories prove that it is possible to change many circumstances in life if we truly desire to change them.

Many people say they desire to change some area of their life, yet they never make the change. Why? Because many people allow the fear of failure or the fear of success prevents them from making the choice to change something in their life. They also let the fear of what others will think or say prevent them from making the choice to change something in their life.

Many people also resist change because it often involves venturing into the unknown to take chances and risks, which is a scary place. The comfort zone is a very safe comfortable place to live. Many people find comfort in the routine of life even if their life is not their dream life. Fear and doubt keep them trapped in their circumstances because they are afraid to face those fears and doubts.

★Before You Can Change Your Life, You Must Change Your Mind★

The power of change starts with a change of mindset. That is why there is so much emphasis on mindset in the areas of personal and professional development and in the study of achievement, fulfillment, and success. We must believe that change is possible and we must be willing to do what it takes to make those changes if we truly desire to create and live the life of our dreams.

Many people underestimate or discount the power of our thoughts and mindset. However, our thoughts are very powerful and they determine the success or failure of most endeavors. Think about it. If you could control and change your thoughts, feelings, and actions, how would your life change? You have that power! Once you make the choice to change, that power is engaged!

★Change Your Thoughts & Change Your Life★

If we have powerful negative thoughts, feelings, and actions that we believe are preventing us from achieving the life and lifestyle of our dreams, we need to identify them so we can eliminate them. This will provide a clear path to take the chances, make the choices and make the changes to create the life and lifestyle of our dreams.

The self-coaching questions below will help identify them:

• What fears do I believe are preventing me from making the desired change?
• What doubts do I believe are preventing me from making the desired change?
• What habits/actions do I believe may be preventing me from making the desired change?
• What obstacles do I believe may be preventing me from making the desired change?
• What past experiences may be preventing me from making the desired change?
• Who may try to prevent me from making the desired change?
• Who will support me in making the desired change?
• What changes have I made that changed my life for the better?
• What changes have I made that changed my life for the worse?
• What do I believe is the worst possible thing that could happen if I make this change?
• What do I believe is the best possible thing that could happen if I make this change?

Commitment is an important aspect of making any choice to change. A clue to how serious we are is often revealed in how long we have been considering the change. The longer we have been thinking about it and desiring it, the more likely we are to follow through. In the end, we must be more committed to the change than we are committed to remaining in our comfort zone.

Ask yourself:

• On a scale of 1-10, how committed am I to make the desired change?
• How long have I been considering making the desired change?
• What am I willing to give up to make the desired change?
• What am I not willing to give up to make the desired change?
• If I don't make the choice to make the change, will I regret it, and why?
• How difficult do I believe it will be to make the desired change?
• What other options are available if this option does not produce the desired results?
• Are the consequences of this change permanent or reversible if I change your mind?
• Is now the right time to make the choice to change?
• If now is not the right time, when will be the right time?

We hope that you are excited about the possibilities of making new choices, taking new chances, and making new changes! We know that mixed in with the excitement are the fears and doubts that have probably kept you where you are now. However, when you clearly define the choices, chances, and changes to create the life of your dreams, a lot of confusion, stress, doubts, and fears disappear!

THE POWER OF C.H.A.N.G.E. TO CREATE THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS

C = Courage to Make New Choices/Take New Changes/Make New Changes

H = Honesty to Evaluate Your Choices/Chances/Changes

A = Action to Implement Your Choices/Chances/Changes

N = Non-Negotiable Never-Give-Up Attitude to Create the Life of Your Dreams

G = Goals to Keep You Focused & Moving Toward Your Dreams

E = Empowerment & Inspiration to Keep You Motivated Along the Journey

In closing, if you truly believe that there is more to life than the life you are living now, then it is most likely time for you to make a change so you can enjoy more happiness and fulfillment in your life. If you are feeling like you have no power over your life and circumstances, then it is probably time to make a change since change can be the catalyst to go from feeling powerless to feeling powerful!

★It is Never Too Late to Hit the Reset Button on Your Life & Reinvent Yourself & Your Life★

Whatever you decide, it is never too late to hit the reset button on your life and reinvent yourself and your life by making new choices, taking new chances, and making new changes! There are thousands of inspiring and empowering examples of people who have done so that you can use as overwhelming evidence and reminders that anything and everything in life is possible!

Remember that every day is a NEW CHANCE to make a NEW CHOICE to CHANGE your life! Also remember that challenges can be the catalyst for creating new choices, taking new chances, and making new changes in your life! Lastly, remember that when we use our power to change our lives, we also empower and change the lives of those around us which can serve as powerful motivation.

I hope this article has provided you with valuable inspiration, motivation, insights, and resources to help you make the choices, take the chances and make the changes to create the life and lifestyle of your dreams and help others do the same!