Self-Determination vs. Predetermination

I’m going to get a little philosophical here.

Bear with me.

There’s an important point I’m trying to make.

There are two opposing schools of thought that divide mankind.

School of Thought #1: Self-Determination Drives Life Circumstances

School of Thought #2: Predetermination Drives Life Circumstances

Those who subscribe to School of Thought #1 believe we are in control of our life circumstances.

There is no one out there, no higher power, watching over us, guiding us.

Those in this school believe success, wealth, failure and poverty are manufactured.

We turn left or right, decide A or B, or do X or Y as a matter of free will, instinct or internal guidance.

In other words, the circumstances of our lives are dictated by our own decisions, our own behaviours and the choices that we make.

We, in effect, create our own destiny.

Those who subscribe to School of Thought #2 believe we are not in control of our life circumstances.

Some higher power is watching over us, determining the circumstances of our lives.

Those in this school believe success, wealth, failure and poverty are outside our control.

We turn left or right, decide A or B, or do X or Y because some force of nature acts upon us, directing us in every aspect of our lives.

In other words, the circumstances of our lives are not determined by us, but by external factors we cannot possibly control.

We, in effect, are powerless over the course of our lives.

When you subscribe to School of Thought #1 you embrace the concept that you are in control of your destiny; and that you have power over the course of your life.

As a result, you develop a mindset of self-reliance.

Through hard work and personal initiative, you seek to create the life you desire.

You pursue lifelong self-education, take calculated risks, seek feedback from others and carefully weigh every decision you make.

You search for mentors to help you forge good habits that put you on the right path.

When you subscribe to School of Thought #2 you embrace the concept that your destiny is predetermined; and that you are powerless over the course of your life.

As a result, you feel you are not in control of your life.

You are a mere victim of the luck of the draw.

Because you feel you are not in control of your life, you do very little to affect the circumstances of your life. You float along in life like a leaf on a fall day, carried by the wind.

Which are you?

Something to think about.

About Tom Corley Tom is a CPA, CFP and heads one of the top financial firms in New Jersey. For 5 years, Tom observed and documented the daily activities of wealthy people and people living in poverty and his research he identified over 200 daily activities that separated the “haves” from the “have nots” which culminated in his #1 bestselling book, Rich Habits – The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals. Visit the website: www.richhabits.net