If you’re reading this, chances are pretty high that you own some kind of smart device; whether that’s a phone, tablet, or computer. It’s also pretty likely that you have found this device to be valuable to you – valuable enough that you were willing to exchange something for it (y’know…like money).

Money is valuable. It’s valuable to build up an overflow of money, and it’s also valuable to be able to exchange that money for other resources (like your device). Allowing money to flow in this way (in and out, in and out, in and out) is exactly what makes it valuable. If everyone was focused on solely holding on to their money, and never offered it in exchange for something else, money would lose its value.

And as we go through this ebb and flow of money, we are presented with endless opportunities to weight out the costs versus the rewards. Sometimes this process is incredibly challenging; sometimes it requires little to no mental effort.

In the end, we decide (consciously or subconsciously) whether the cost or the reward is greater, which shapes our final decision on the matter.

We experience this dance between cost versus reward innumerable times throughout any given day. When deciding whether to wake up as soon as the alarm goes off, or to hit the snooze button a few times. When deciding what to eat for breakfast. Deciding what to wear (or whether to even change out of our PJs in the first place). Deciding how to handle a yelling match between the kids. Whether or not to answer the phone when someone calls. If we’re going to eat a handful of M&Ms as we walk past the open bag that’s sitting out.

You can see how our days are simply filled moment to moment with these opportunities to decide which is greater: the cost or the reward?

Is the cost of eating those M&Ms (potential digestive inflammation, weight gain, acne flare up, etc) greater or less than the reward (quick hit of dopamine and deliciousness)?

Is the cost of waking up as soon as the alarm goes off (feeling kinda grumpy and still sleepy and not ready) greater or less than the reward (creating an immediate win for the day, getting a head start on the things you want to accomplish that day, etc)?

All too often, we forget that we are actually deciding these things.

If there is something you’re struggling with – for sake of example, let’s say those addictive M&Ms – have you ever heard yourself say “I just have terrible self control”?

If so, I’m here to challenge that. What if you actually don’t have an issue with self-control? What if you’ve simply gotten into the habit of making the same decision time and time again? If so, your solution is honestly super simple: get back into decision-making mode, and actually weigh the cost versus the reward.

I can hear you now:

“Megan, I’ve tried doing that. It’s not enough, I still struggle to have the self control. I just have an addictive personality, and it’s so hard to break it.”

Good news: I have many avenues you can explore!

One that I’ve recently started to learn more about is a practice called Ho’oponopono. A colleague of mine, Alicia Seibel, shared a really great article about this that you may find helpful if you struggle with judging yourself harshly whenever you make a decision you’re not happy with (like indulging in a few more M&Ms than you’d like). You can read that here.

Another would be to keep a thought journal; for at least a week (go for a whole month if you’re feeling ambitious and really want to deep dive!), keep a notebook with you everywhere you go, and keep track of any and all decisions you make throughout the day. The more you do this, the more you will discover decisions you’ve been making subconsciously. This heightens your awareness, which is the first crucial step to creating change.

And my final recommendation of the day would be to come join us in Elevate Your Life Insiders. This is my group coaching membership experience that I created especially for women who want to go from constantly maxing out their mental bandwidth (on things like these decision habits that aren’t serving you), to feeling totally clear, free, and mentally strong.

So if you’re tired of always ending up feeling burnt out, and you’re ready to feel more than capable of handing any and all challenges you’re dealt with, I would love to invite you to become an Insider!

PS – in case you missed it, the replay of my free Self Love Mindset Masterclass is now available! Click here to watch.