The Accelerator of Aliveness: Decisions
Over the last few blogs, I’ve been exploring the concept of aliveness—a deep, vibrant sense of being fully engaged, present, and connected to life. Unlike fleeting happiness, which often relies on external moments or achievements, aliveness is sustainable. It’s a way of living that allows you to thrive, not just in the good times, but every day.
Happiness is wonderful, but it tends to come and go with the highs and lows of life. Aliveness, on the other hand, is rooted in your ability to feel grounded, resilient, and energized—regardless of your circumstances. It’s about creating a state where even the simplest moments feel rich with potential.
This brings us back to the aliveness formula:
A = B × C × D²
B (Baseline): Your physical, mental, and emotional foundation. It’s the steady rhythm that supports how you engage with life. By prioritizing recovery, creating stability, and cultivating a healthy mindset, you build a strong baseline to thrive.
C (Conditions): The external factors that surround you—your environment, social connections, and life events. While it’s easy to think conditions are the key to aliveness, the reality is that their impact is limited. It’s not about what’s happening around you but how you interact with it.
So far, I’ve covered how baseline creates stability and how optimizing your conditions empowers you to make the most of your environment. But there’s still one essential piece left: Decisions.
Decisions are where aliveness truly comes to life. They’re the accelerators, the actions that multiply your potential and take you from being a passenger in life to being fully in the driver’s seat. Let’s explore why decisions matter and how they can transform your sense of aliveness.
Agency Over Blame
Too often, we blame others or external factors for the things we feel stuck in:
This job doesn’t fulfill me, but I can’t leave.
I’d love to feel more energized, but my circumstances won’t allow it.
I want more connection, but people around me don’t understand me.
It’s easy to slip into this mindset—it’s safe and familiar. But here’s the truth: waiting for things to change or for someone else to fix things won’t bring you closer to aliveness.
The key is to recognize that you always have choices. They might not be easy, and they might not lead to instant results, but they are there. Once you embrace this mindset, even the smallest decisions can empower you and shift your perspective.
The Power of Taking Action
The most remarkable thing about decisions is that it matters less what the decision is and more that you are aware you can make one. Taking a decision—any decision—puts you back in control. It signals to yourself that you are capable of shaping your own life, rather than being at the mercy of others.
This is why decisions are squared (D²) in the aliveness formula. They are powerful because they multiply upon themselves. One small choice today creates momentum for bigger ones tomorrow. The compounding effect of consistent, intentional decisions can transform not just your day-to-day life but your entire mindset.
My Own Journey with Decisions
There was a time in my life when I felt completely stuck, even though I was outwardly successful. I was the Head of HR for a large unit—a role many would call a dream job. On the surface, I was a high achiever, climbing the ladder, traveling for business, and managing a packed schedule. But inside, I felt lost.
Every day felt like it was already decided for me. My agenda was planned out to the minute: back-to-back meetings, endless responsibilities, and constant travel. I was floating in a stream, letting the current carry me, with no sense of agency or control.
At the time, I didn’t realize I had a choice. I thought that working this way was the price of success. But now, looking back, I see how much power I gave away to the job, the schedule, and the expectations. I wish I could go back and coach my younger self—to help him see that success didn’t have to mean being on a treadmill, endlessly running in someone else’s direction.
The truth is, I did have choices back then. I could have taken control of how I worked, set boundaries, or approached my role differently. But I didn’t see it at the time, and that’s why this lesson matters so much to me now. It wasn’t about making a perfect decision. It was about taking one single step forward. That single choice would create momentum, changing how I felt about myself and my circumstances.
How to Harness the Power of Decisions
You don’t need grand, sweeping changes to feel more alive. Start with small, intentional decisions that align with the direction you want to move. Here’s how:
Shift Your Mindset: Replace “I can’t” with “What can I do?” Acknowledge your agency, even in challenging circumstances.
Take Small Steps: The decision to take a walk, reach out to a friend, or try something new may seem small, but it creates momentum.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: It doesn’t matter if the decision isn’t the “perfect” one. Action matters more than precision.
Reflect and Adjust: Evaluate how your decisions feel. Are they bringing you closer to aliveness? If not, choose differently tomorrow.
The Core of Aliveness
Decisions are the heart of the aliveness formula because they are where mindset meets action. They’re the difference between waiting for life to change and actively shaping it.
Sometimes, the decisions in front of us are hard. They can feel overwhelming or uncomfortable, so we push them aside, hoping they’ll disappear. But ignoring those decisions doesn’t make them go away—it only prolongs the feeling of being stuck. The path forward starts with awareness: acknowledging the decisions that need to be made and finding the courage to take action, even when it’s difficult. Courage doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means being willing to take the first step, no matter how uncertain it feels.
Every time you make a choice—no matter how small—you’re reclaiming your power. This is why D is squared in the formula: the ripple effects of decisions are exponential. They build confidence, create momentum, and remind you that you are the driver of your own life.
Looking Back—and Ahead
With this final piece of the formula, I’ve explored Baseline, Conditions, and Decisions. Together, they create the foundation and fuel for aliveness. Baseline keeps you grounded, conditions set the stage, but decisions? Decisions are what truly move you forward.
So, ask yourself: What decision can I make today to feel more alive? It doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be yours.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, I’d love to help you navigate your own journey. Subscribe for updates, or sign up for a free introductory session, and let’s work 1-to-1 to turn your aliveness into action.