Yesterday, I was thinking about ideologies and since then I haven’t been able to stop. I proposed that ‘We are what we think.’ What that means is that we make decisions based on our thoughts and opinions. Our decisions shape our lives. How we live our lives, defines who we are. Thus our thoughts and opinions eventually define our personalities.

Our thought process influences our decision making ability. Imagine you have a cat. One day on your way home from work, you find an abandoned puppy.  You believe that cats and dogs cannot live together. Even though you are capable of taking care of that puppy, even though you have the desire to take it home, you don’t. There is ample proof of the fact that felines and K9’s can co-exist; especially if they are introduced to one another at an early age. You know this. Your belief forces you to over ride common sense. This is the power of ideology.

Ideologies influence people in every part of their lives. From the decisions they make while dealing with friends, while shopping and at home. This got me thinking, how much do personal beliefs affect business decision making? More importantly, should personal beliefs influence decision making?

If you are involved in business activities, you need to have an objective mind. You need to be able to make the right decisions without hesitation. The problem is, that our ideologies are so deeply engrained that they influence us at a subconscious level. So, whenever you are making a business decision, disassociate yourself from the situation. Analyze it without any personal pre-existing inferences.  Ensure that your decision is based on the facts in front of you and not on the facts based in your thinking.

Getting what you want seems to be a near miss for so many people, if they even get in the ballpark! Part of the key to getting what you want is knowing exactly what it is you desire. It must be something that creates a deep longing, deep enough for you to be able to focus on it, and only it, to the exclusion of all others. Focusing on one thing can be very difficult and takes practice.

Ask yourself:
1. What is the one thing you want more than anything else?

That question may not be as easy as it seems. It seems easy to say, for instance, you want a relationship with a particular person, but what if that person isn’t as she or he appears? And, what of that person’s free will? Perhaps a better desire would be a loving relationship with your ideal partner. This isn’t as narrow and specific as the original request; by being more general about your desire, you are much more likely to get what you want. You’re being more open to all the goodness the universe has to offer you.

After you have figured out exactly what it is that you want, focus on it. You can’t focus on a few different things; you must focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise, your energy will be scattered, and you will not fully realize your desire. It’s kind of like souring the pot with too many things. Focus and believe. Then ask the universe (or God or whatever higher power you ascribe to) for your desire.

Getting what you want takes effort, so you will have to practice focusing on your desire every day, several times a day. Set aside a time and place where you won’t be disturbed. Then, think positive thoughts about your desire and believe you will receive it.