by: Stephanie Gonzalez, CEO & Managing Partner photo by: Stephanie Ringleb Photography Every day you make decisions that lead you in a direction. Whether you realize it or not: your life is always moving in a direction (rarely are you stagnant, even though it may feel like it). Your decisions dictate the path you are on. The decisions you make – small or big – dictate the next step, the next paragraph, the next chapter and ultimately the story that will one day be told. Three weeks ago I was asked to run our daily 9am Stay CO.nnected call. Steph Ringleb called me and asked me if I could talk about the topic “breaking through barriers.” My gut reaction was excitement, and gratitude over the opportunity. That may seem funny because I have the opportunity to lead Zoom calls every week – Brokerage Meeting, Town Hall or monthly Mastermind sessions – I am often on Zoom, and generally speaking I don’t over-think or over-complicate my role to be an MC of sorts. BUT, this invitation was different. It’s new territory for me to talk about myself. This “breaking through barriers” call reminded me how decisions play out in the story of our life. Early on, in my childhood, I made a few decisions to not push myself: I subconsciously gave myself permission to listen to fear. Those decisions created an un-knowing pattern in my life. As I got older, I still enabled the voice of my inner child to make decisions. The decisions I was making were taking me to an end-game that was safe, secure and obligatory. Seven years ago I began to make different decisions. I choose me I choose my life I choose Josh I choose my children I choose to no longer be the woman behind the man I choose my business partner I choose my friends I choose to share my voice I choose to be vulnerable I choose to pursue fear I choose opportunities that scare me Contrary to my normal behavior (and comfort level) I chose to not prepare for the call. I chose for that moment to be a living example to myself that I can break through my own barrier (fear) to feel the need to prepare. I chose to trust myself. When we wake up each day we get to plant our feet on the floor and choose who we will be today. With each passing day we get to choose our life again…and again…and again. Our attitude, direction, opportunities and decisions: all our choice! It’s funny how much more we love something – when it was our choice!