Free Will & The Paradox Of Choice
If every second of every day presented an opportunity for us to think, feel or act differently, then by that calculation we are given 86,400 opportunities a day.
Free will is a remarkable thing. It grants us the power to achieve our goals and shape our entire reality, but it can also leave us paralysed with indecision. To the unmotivated, free will can mean the difference between seizing an opportunity with both hands, or standing on the sidelines and watching it pass us by. In this blog we’ll explore the fascinating interplay of free will as a source of liberation and self-imposed limitations.
We Can Apply Our Will Anywhere
Free will is what sets us apart from the rest of the natural world. It allows us to make conscious choices and decisions and direct our energy toward them. We’re faced with choices every single day, and how we apply our will to them dictates how our day will play out.
For example, every morning before we’ve even gotten out of bed we’re presented with a choice:
Do we hit the snooze button and go back to sleep?
Do we grab our phone and scroll through instagram to ‘wake ourselves up’
Do we get out of bed immediately and tackle our day?
The beauty of free will is that we can use it to transcend indecision at any given moment. We can apply our will to any situation, even things we don’t particularly like. For example, perhaps you’re waking up each morning to go to a job you don’t enjoy? Well, you have a choice in how you frame it, the attitude you take towards it and the thoughts and intentions you have behind it. Are you constantly telling yourself you’ll be stuck in this job forever? Or do you know it’s short term pain for long term gain because you have a greater vision that you’re applying your will to?
Which brings me to my next point.
Overcoming Indecision
In a world abundant with options, free will can sometimes lead to paralysing indecision. The more choices we have, the more overwhelming decision-making can become! The paradox of choice is real, and we can use our free will to perpetually deliberate or avoid taking action altogether. We can literally choose to ‘opt out’ of decisions, avoid responsibility and let life just happen.
While it’s easy to get caught up in this cycle, there are ways to overcome it while embracing free will.
Set Clear Priorities: I’m a big believer in having a master vision, and I discuss it in this blog HERE . When you have a clear understanding of what you want out of life, it becomes easier to eliminate the options that don't align.
Trust Your Intuition: When considering options, try to notice how your body feels and which choices you have a physical reaction to. The hard part is getting our minds out of the way! But if you focus on how it feels ‘in your gut’ you’ll be guided to a much more aligned choice.
Accept Imperfection: Done is better than perfect! Recognise that there is rarely a perfect choice in anything we do. Mistakes are a natural part of life and what is truly meant for you will never, ever pass you by.
Set Time Limits: Give yourself a specific time frame to make a decision, and stick to it! This can prevent excessive rumination and encourage you to connect with your intuition.
Practice Decision-Making: The more decisions you make, the more confident you'll become. Start with small choices and gradually work your way up to larger ones.
Like most things in life, free will is best harnessed through a positive mindset. We can languish in a passive existence if we really want to, or we can rise to the occasion by making intentional choices that propel us forward. By understanding the duality of free will – as both a blessing and a curse – we can harness its power to live a life that is purposeful, joyful and maybe even extraordinary.