I love that life is all about choices.

Years ago, my sister and I were having a conversation, and she was saying to me that she wishes God would just make all the decisions for us so we could be good, happy, and do the right thing. Life would be so easy.

I remember thinking that that would be awful. What would even be the point of living? Geez, I like to have some control in my life. Even if it comes back to bite in my butt! I want some input while I am doing this thing called life.

In the journey of personal and professional growth, there comes a pivotal moment when we move to conscious competence—we know what we know. At least hopefully we do! If not, we are stuck into a space of no action. It’s a moment of choice, where we must decide whether to remain stagnant in our comfort zone or to step boldly into the unknown. I see so many entrepreneurs and salespeople stuck because they are comfortable being comfortable. They are not reaching goals and making all kinds of excuses as to why that is happening.

I remember my friend, Jim, saying to me many years ago, “The first order of being a business owner is get comfortable being uncomfortable.” He was so right!

Scary as it is, it is in the act of choosing that our true power is revealed, and our potential unleashed.

Conscious competence is a concept that describes the stage of learning where we have acquired knowledge or skills and must consciously think about and apply them. It’s the phase where we know what we know, but our actions are deliberate and sometimes hesitant. In this stage, we may feel competent in our abilities, yet we’re acutely aware of the effort required to execute them effectively.

When we reach the threshold of conscious competence, we stand at a crossroads—an intersection of possibility and uncertainty. Here, we confront a fundamental question: Do we choose to remain where we are, comfortable in our knowledge AND limited in our growth? Or do we choose to embrace change, to challenge ourselves, and to embark on a journey of continuous improvement?

Choice is a power force—a catalyst for transformation and progress. It’s the spark that ignites the flame of action, propelling us forward towards our goals and aspirations. Yet, the power of choice extends beyond mere decision-making; it shapes our destiny and defines who we become.

We can choose to embrace discomfort, to lean into challenges, and to expand our capabilities. Or we can choose complacency, to remain confined within the boundaries of what we already know. The choice is ours, and its consequences far-reaching.

Oh, the many times I have had a fight in my head about wanting to avoid a networking event, stay in the office, go to lunch with the girls, etc. It is comfortable, it is what I know and what I have always done. And I would then complain to my coach about my lack of results. And you may or may not know, when you whine to your coach and your schedule shows that you have not been in action, S/he is going to call you on your crap!

Choosing to move from conscious competence to action requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. It means stepping outside our comfort zone, confronting our fears, and daring to fail in pursuit of greatness. Yet, it is in this act of choosing—for me, to take a leap of faith, to pursue what I truly believe I am called to do while experiencing this life – with unwavering determination—that our true potential is realized.

Will you choose complacency or courage? Stagnation or growth? The choice is yours, and its consequences powerful. Choose wisely, it’s in the act of choosing where power lies to transform your life and achieve greatness.