Choices, Chances, Changes: The Trio that can Shape your Life.

Zig Ziglar, a renowned motivational speaker and author, once said, "You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." Another powerful mantra he shared is, "Choices, Chances, Changes: You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change."

Have you ever looked back on your life and realised how a single choice shaped your path? Or wondered what would have happened if you'd taken that leap of faith? Let’s explore what this trio means and how it applies to creating a life of purpose and fulfilment.

Choices

The Seeds of Growth

Every day, you are presented with choices. Some are small, like deciding what to eat for breakfast. Others are profound, like choosing to pursue a new career, end a toxic relationship, or start a fitness journey.

Each choice you make sets a trajectory. Your current circumstances are largely the result of past decisions. If this idea feels daunting, flip it: your future is entirely shaped by the decisions you make today.

As Stephen Covey outlines in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, effective decision-making involves aligning your choices with your core values and long-term goals. For example, consider someone deciding to leave a stable but unfulfilling job to pursue a passion for teaching. It’s a choice that may feel overwhelming but reflects their inner priorities. When faced with a choice, ask yourself, "Will this bring me closer to the life I want to live?"

Once you’ve planted the seeds of growth with thoughtful choices, the next step is to nurture them by taking chances.

Chances

The Courage to Step Forward

Taking chances requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Choices lead to opportunities, but it’s up to you to seize them. Fear often holds us back, whispering doubts and amplifying the risks. Yet, as John A. Shedd wrote in 1928, "A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are built for."

Think of someone hesitating to apply for their dream job, unsure if they’re qualified enough. By taking the leap, they create the possibility of transforming their career. Life’s most transformative experiences—whether falling in love, starting a business, or moving to a new city—come when you embrace uncertainty.

Brené Brown, in her book Daring Greatly, emphasises the power of vulnerability and courage. She notes that stepping into uncertainty may feel uncomfortable, but it is where connection, growth, and fulfilment lie.

Start small. Take calculated risks that stretch your boundaries but don’t overwhelm you. Over time, your tolerance for uncertainty will grow, and so will your courage. And with every chance you take, you edge closer to meaningful change.

Changes

The Result of Action

Change is the inevitable outcome of making choices and taking chances. It’s where growth happens. While change can feel uncomfortable, it is also deeply rewarding. It reshapes your habits, your mindset, and ultimately, your life.

However, change isn’t always immediate or linear. As Carol Dweck explains in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, adopting a growth mindset helps you embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. Imagine someone training for a marathon. The transformation in their endurance, mindset, and confidence unfolds gradually, through consistent effort.

Spencer Johnson’s book Who Moved My Cheese? reminds us that resisting change only delays progress, while embracing it opens doors to new possibilities. Celebrate small victories along the way and focus on progress rather than perfection.

Change also fosters a mindset of continuous improvement. Each step, however small, moves you closer to your goals.

Bringing It All Together

When you align your choices with your values, take chances despite fear, and embrace the changes that follow, you create a cycle of growth and transformation. Ziglar’s wisdom reminds us that life doesn’t just happen to us—we actively shape it.

Start with one small choice today. Say yes to a chance that excites and scares you in equal measure. Welcome the changes that follow, knowing they are moving you closer to your goals.

Reflection Questions

What small but meaningful choice can I make today to align with my values?

What fear is holding me back from taking a chance, and how can I reframe it as an opportunity?

How can I embrace change and see it as a path to growth?

Life is like a garden: choices are the seeds, chances are the water and sunlight, and changes are the blossoming flowers that brighten your journey. What’s one choice, chance, or change that shaped your life? Share your story, start small, and let the ripple effect begin.

Further Reading

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (for making purposeful choices).

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown (for courage and vulnerability).

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson (for embracing change).

Carol Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (for growth and resilience).