The Power of Making Decisions: Transform Your Life Today
Every choice you make—or avoid—shapes who you become. Embracing decisiveness can unlock your potential and lead to a fulfilling life. Through my own journey and a recent call with my struggling best friend, I’ve seen how decisions build us. Here’s how you can take control, align with your values, and grow into your best self.
The Danger of Indecision
Not deciding can stop you from growing and leave you with an average life. My best friend is stuck in a toxic marriage—full of yelling, threats, and a selfish cycle. He won’t leave because of the comfort and short happy moments, but his fear keeps him trapped. I’ve been there too. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I hesitated on planning when I left my job and moved to Budapest with my wife. Her struggles with language and long commutes hurt our marriage for a while. Waiting too long can stall you—whether it’s a student picking a school subject late or me delaying adjustments in Budapest. Choosing, even imperfectly, moves you forward.
Importance of Decisions
Your choices decide your life’s path. Good decisions create a good life. Fleeing Romania under a dangerous leader was a life-saving choice. Moving from Hungary to America was tougher—I left my six-year-old daughter behind, believing it was best for us both long-term. In America, I met a woman who, after one date, asked me to move in. Two weeks later, she demanded marriage or nothing. I said yes fast, but two months in, she turned my life into chaos—a troubled person, a psychopath, her fifth husband’s story. That bad choice still shaped me positively later. Every decision—leaving Romania, my daughter, or that marriage—set my life’s direction. Clear choices matter.
Training for Decisiveness
Practice small decisions to get better at big ones. I learned this trading goods across Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and the former Yugoslavia. I had to pick what to buy or sell quickly—time didn’t wait. That skill helped me switch jobs and countries later. Start simple: choose your meal in 10 seconds at a restaurant or pick your clothes fast in the morning. These small wins build confidence for life’s bigger moments.
Understanding Values
Knowing what you care about makes deciding easier. My move to Hawaii wasn’t just about beauty—it was about peace and health, values I needed after busy years. My friend stays in his marriage for fake comfort, not real values. I left three marriages—including that chaotic one—when they didn’t match what I believe in, like honesty and calm. Write down three things that matter to you—family, health, learning—and use them to guide your choices. It leads to a life you love.
Accepting Mistakes
Mistakes are okay—they help you grow. Moving to Budapest was rushed and strained my marriage. Leaving my daughter in Hungary hurt deeply. Marrying that woman was a disaster I didn’t see coming. But each taught me something: Budapest showed me how to adapt, leaving my daughter opened new paths, and that bad marriage revealed my strength. Don’t fear errors. Ask: What can I learn? That’s how you get better.
Commitment to Choices
Once you decide, stick to it. Leaving Romania was final—no going back. Moving to America meant fully chasing a better life, even without my daughter daily. I left that toxic marriage with total focus on change, unlike my friend who wavers. Half-effort doesn’t work—imagine exercising but stopping when tired. Write a list of small steps for your decision—like learning or reaching out—and follow through. Commitment makes it real.
Opportunity Costs
Every choice means giving something up. Moving from Hungary cost me time with my daughter but gave me chances in America, like flying planes. Marrying that woman lost my peace for a while but taught me lessons. My friend’s choice to stay says no to freedom. Think: What will I gain, and what will I lose? Writing it down helps you see if it’s worth it. Not choosing often means missing out.
The Hero’s Journey
Life is an adventure when you’re bold. Fleeing Romania, leaving my daughter, ending three marriages—including that nightmare—were my brave steps. Each challenge built me. My friend avoids his call to change; I answered mine. Be the hero: take one small step this week against something that scares you—like talking to someone new. Facing hard choices grows you.
Personal Responsibility
You own your decisions—no one else does. I chose every move—Romania to Hungary, Hungary to America despite my daughter, marrying then leaving that woman. My friend blames his wife; I took charge of my path, even when it hurt. Don’t wait for others to fix things. Pick one choice you’ve delayed, write three steps, and start today. It’s your life.
Exploration and Experience
Deciding—even wrongly—teaches you. Trading across all those countries showed me how to adapt. Leaving my daughter and that marriage were tough, but they revealed what I need. Try something new: a hobby or a change. Think of a past decision that didn’t work—what did it show you? Every step adds to who you are.
Deep vs. Shallow Decisions
Quick choices might feel good now, but careful ones last. Budapest was a fast move; Hawaii was a deep choice for peace I still enjoy. My friend picks short happy moments; I chose real change, like leaving that woman. For big decisions, write the good and bad points, wait a day, then decide. Deep choices match your long-term goals.
Proactivity Over Passivity
Acting moves you forward; waiting holds you back. Leaving Romania, moving despite my daughter, ending that marriage—these steps led to big jobs and a happy life now. My friend waits; I didn’t. Do one thing today that feels hard—like sending a message. Creating your chances builds a better you.
Decisiveness isn’t about perfection—it’s about action. My life—trading across countries, leaving my daughter, three marriages ending, that call with my friend—proves every choice shapes you. That bad marriage was a quick mistake, but it led me here, to my happiest days. Embrace deciding. Reflect on your values, act boldly, and watch your life transform. Start with one choice today—your potential is waiting.