Are you in control of the direction your life is taking? If you’re holding the wheel and setting the course, you should feel confident choosing your path. It’s important, however, to step back and ask yourself: “Am I making choices that will bring me happiness?’

We don’t all get up every morning determined to meet the day’s challenge or get excited about making important changes in our life. Some of us are eager to grab the bull by the horns and make things happen. But others would rather let the river of life carry us along.

Your Autonomy Matters

“The more you feel in control of your choices — what we sometimes call having a greater degree of autonomy — the better you’ll be at making decisions that truly support your health and well-being,” explains Hayley Flott, PDRMA Wellness Consultant.

Other people typically influence those who don’t have a strong sense of autonomy and often end up taking the lead in projects and plans. Frequently “giving in” to what others want can lead to developing low self-esteem and make it harder to prioritize your own well-being choices, both at work and in your personal life.

The Will to Choose Health

Your inner voice helps you find a balance between pushing for your own satisfaction and accepting someone else’s choices. It’s a sign of good health when you feel in control of your choices without being consumed by doubt or worry. When you feel the power to move forward, you are an unstoppable force.

Make Informed Choices

One way to make good decisions about your health is to focus your energy on something that really matters to you. Make a conscious choice — like eating better or moving ahead in your career — and then look for information, so you can be confident in your actions. That confidence helps you handle any challenges that arise as you make changes.

A Recipe for Improvement

Once you decide to focus on improvement, follow these steps to make positive change:

• Think about what’s working and what you want to improve.
• Prioritize your needs to focus on what’s doable now.
• Learn more in areas that interest you by exploring PATH resources.
• Create SMART goals to set your way forward.
• Reach out for support if you need it.

Maybe now is the right time for you to assert yourself in a new way. Trust your judgment and ability to change the future. You can make it happen!