I want to be honest, deep down I like to feel I have the ability to make life-changing decisions which empower me to head in the directions of my dreams. I know when I started to realize the power of my decisions and the influence they had on my life and the people around me there was no turning back, the realization I had that the power of decision making is not biased to race, gender, or social class was a big deal. It helped me decide to make the decision to write this bad-ass article explaining why! HAHA! The following reasons are why I believe you have the power to make life-changing decisions. I hope you choose to read the whole thing. HA!

Man sitting overlooking traintracks and the horizon.

We are responsible for our own lives! I find this to be simple and I am sure some probably think it is obvious but, I am here to say it anyway, you and I are the ones responsible for the outcome of our lives! At the end of the day when the sun sets, and there are many people who make life worse, we are still responsible for our lives no matter what. Playing the victim in life serves no one well.
George Bernard Shaw said it best “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
Decisions are not biased. Are you white, black, Asian, Hispanic, male, female, or transgender? Guess what decisions could care less about race, gender, social class, talent, beauty, and all the other disqualifiers commonly embraced as a scapegoat. We were born with the same power to make decisions as everyone else on this planet. Theodore Roosevelt said this “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the worst thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." This power to make decisions is unbiased and given equally to all who inhabit the earth. If we think that someone else can make more powerful decisions than us, we are wrong and wasting our time. I dare you to make a decision about something right now just because you can!
You need to overcome yourself! That's right folks I hate to bring reality to the table, but the life-changing decisions that need to be made are only being held back by YOU! Start today for the price of free ninety-nine. Go write down some goals and start working towards them. Just try! The only person who can get you to take the first step is the same person who is reading this article. Francis of Assisi said it well “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
Fear can only stop you if you let it. Fear is an interesting thing, the only power it has over you is what you give it. Do not let the fear of making those life-changing decisions stop you! Henry Ford agrees with me “One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.”
It takes no physical resources to make a decision. The cost to make a decision is only your own personal effort. The outcome of that decision is a different story, that part may need resources, but we are not talking about that right now, plus if you choose to make some sort of decision and it is an epic failure, at least, you have an opportunity to learn and gain some personal growth. Chances are that your life will benefit more in the long run if you make decisions rather than passively let life just happen to you. Benjamin Disraeli “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.”

I believe strongly that if you ponder at the core why certain things in your life are not moving forward and you stop blaming other people the simple reasons posted above will help give you the power to make life-changing decisions. May you go and change the world as you take life by the balls.

Cheers,

Timothy

Latest blogs

man holding flowers behind back for woman

4 Common Relationship Issues and How to Address Them

Thoughts around why life will never be fair to you.

I honestly feel a bit like an old grumpy man writing this, even though I am in my early thirties it has become extremely apparent to me that there is this mystical belief ingrained in western societies that everything we desire should be handed to us on a silver platter and when things don’t work out exactly how we want, then the best resort is to become a victim and not look deeply into the fact that our lives literally mean nothing to this world and we are entitled nothing.

man sitting on a bench looking to his left holding his phone and having headphones in

Men should manage their time better and here are 3 reasons why.

As much as it may seem out of the traditional scope of what being a man is, there is nothing I find more valuable than being neat and tidy about my time. Personally and professionally, I attribute nearly all of my abilities to show up as a man to my discipline within my calendar. And so, this is why I wanted to share with you that us men should always strive to manage our time better, and why.

a young boy standing in a field looking at a camera while the sun is setting in the background.

Is Masculinity Part of Male Identity?

If you were to ask a couple of men to give you their own definition of masculinity, what are the odds that you’ll end up with the same answer? You’re guessing right: a good, round zero. Neither you nor anyone else will ever be taught at school, or in a manual, what masculinity precisely means, and that is for a good reason. Because we can be a man in so many different ways, each one of us has to come up with his own definition, see if it holds any value, and these types of variables are exactly what started me on my journey.

a picture of a mountain touching the sky with fluffy white clouds.

Thoughts and reflections upon the topic of perseverance.

This is and has been a fascinating month for me personally and one I will look back upon in the future with a smile and a warm heart.

You see, for years I have worked on, spent countless hours, had endless conversations, and wondered why I continue devoting myself to The Man Effect. In this pursuit I have desired to encourage others, find answers for myself, and just be a man who is passionate about life.

in with a dark hoodie chilling on a bench contemplating life and looking out into the distance

12 Questions And Answers About Living Through Hard Times

During these very unique times of life, hardship for many humans is being created due to the pandemic. I felt it would be an appropriate time to ask for the wisdom of men whom I respect to answer questions around how to handle hardship and difficult times.

The way it is formatted is I will introduce each man who has answered the questions and you will also see ways to find out more about them as well.

I hope you find encouragement, wisdom, and hope in the answers written to these questions.

Thoughts and discussion around self-forgiveness.

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I forgive myself?” It is a difficult and amazing question all at the same time. Recently, after one of the darkest years of my life, I have started to ask myself this question a lot and I am amazed by the amount of impact it has had on me.

masculine warrior holding a dead man sculpture

What is masculinity? That's a question every man should be asking himself.

The Start

What is masculinity? This question is a core reason why I started this blog and photography project here at The Man Effect. I have been pursuing and exploring this question for years. I love it and the ramifications on my life it has had.

Masculinity, manliness, and the nature of men are not only something that I believe every human should take the time to ponder on. As humans, it is also something we should conceptualize and analyze the belief of how men exist and represent themselves in immediate and extended communities.

Moving forward, I think it would be appropriate to build some foundation of a definition before we proceed with the importance and impact this question can and does have on our lives if we are open to going down this path.

man walking on a beach thinking about masculinity

15 Questions and Answers About Masculinity

Questioning what it means to be a man is something that I would consider to be a foundation to this website. So, in honor of that, I decided to compile 15 questions about masculinity that I have seen and heard asked often.

Now, before we jump into these questions, I would like to explain how the answers were created. I chose to ask four men who I respect to take time and share their wisdom. The next thing I will do is introduce them so you know a bit about the men behind these words.

Lessons I've learned from a traumatic brain injury and why discomfort in life is so important.

I am writing this article for two predominant reasons. One, so I can have a tangible point of reference when I reflect upon this season of life I have been through. Two, the possibility that the lessons I have learned may inspire one person to not give up on life as struggles confront them.

“Believe in yourself, take on your challenges, dig deep within yourself to conquer fears. Never let anyone bring you down. You got to keep going. “ ~ Chantal Sutherland