We’re all presented with choices—much like standing at a fork in the road. The challenge is knowing which path to take and realising that every choice, big or small, can shape your future. Michael C. Hyter’s book, “The Power of Choice: Embracing Efficacy to Drive Your Career”, is a potent reminder that the most successful people actively make choices that expand their opportunities, even when the odds seem stacked against them. This empowerment from making choices expands your opportunities and puts you firmly in control of your career path.
The Power is in Your Hands
Imagine your career like sailing a boat. Some may believe that success depends on favourable winds or a strong current. But Hyter teaches that the wind doesn’t get you where you want to go. You can steer the boat. No matter your background or situation, you can change direction. Instead of waiting for external forces to propel you, start by taking control of the wheel—deciding which goals to pursue and which skills to develop. The *power of choice* is recognising that you can create opportunities rather than waiting for them to find you.
Believe in Your Capacity for Growth
Hyter encourages readers to reject the fixed-capacity mindset—the belief that your abilities are limited and unchanging, like a glass that’s already full. This mindset can be a barrier to growth, as it suggests you have a finite amount of potential. Instead, think of your mind and potential as a balloon: the more you stretch it, the more it can hold. Every new challenge you take on, and every skill you learn expands your capacity to succeed. It’s a process, and each repetition builds strength, like lifting weights. Success doesn’t come from being born with the perfect set of talents; it comes from working at it, refining it, and, most importantly, believing that growth is always possible.
Turning Doubt into Fuel
Picture a runner training for a marathon. Along the way, they may encounter people who doubt their ability to finish. Some may even tell them outright: “You’re not cut out for this.” Hyter argues that it’s easy to internalise these doubts and let them slow you down. But just as a marathoner uses fuel to keep going, you can turn the doubts of others into motivation. Instead of allowing their words to become barriers, use them as a source of energy to push forward. After all, you control your response to those challenges. The only failure is giving up before the finish line.
Build Confidence from Within and with Others
In Hyter’s view, confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have—it’s something you build, like stacking blocks. Every small success adds to your foundation, just as each block adds to the height of a tower. If you make a mistake, don’t view it as knocking down your tower; instead, see it as an opportunity to reinforce your structure. More importantly, surround yourself with a support network—people who will help you see your strengths, offer honest feedback, and challenge you to grow. Like plants needing water and sunlight, we all need encouragement and constructive feedback to thrive.
The Key to Effective Effort: Focus
Effort without focus is like running on a treadmill—you’re expending energy but not going anywhere. Hyter explains that success is less about working harder and more about working smarter. Instead of just putting in the hours, take a moment to define your goals and focus your efforts on what truly matters. Whether learning a new skill or forming valuable relationships within your organisation, effective effort is about setting clear, actionable goals, prioritising tasks, and investing time wisely. It’s about understanding the difference between being busy and productive and ensuring your efforts align with your long-term objectives.
The Strength of Teamwork
No one succeeds alone. In the workplace, your ability to collaborate and work as part of a team can elevate your career. Think of a sports team: a player’s talent is essential, but the team only wins when everyone works together towards a common goal. Hyter not only emphasises the crucial role of teamwork in career success but also makes you feel the importance of collaboration in your professional journey.
Build Your Network Like a Garden
A solid professional network is like a well-tended garden. It takes time and care to cultivate, but it yields abundant rewards. Hyter not only encourages readers to plant seeds early by building connections within and outside their organisation but also stresses the importance of these relationships in their career growth. Each connection adds value—offering diverse perspectives, opening up opportunities, or helping others succeed.
Choose to be Influential
Hyter closes with a call to “choose influence”. Like an artist sculpting clay, you can shape your reality through interactions with others. Influence isn’t about manipulation or self-promotion. It’s about genuinely sharing ideas, inspiring change, and bringing value. The most influential people listen, learn, and collaborate to find solutions that benefit everyone involved. With influence comes the responsibility to be authentic and to advocate for what matters to you.
In “The Power of Choice”, Michael C. Hyter invites us to reimagine our careers as a series of deliberate choices. Each choice—whether it’s how we view ourselves, how we respond to challenges, or how we connect with others—shapes the path ahead. Like a sculptor with a chisel, you can craft the career and life you desire. It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or others to give you a chance. It’s about creating opportunities, believing in your potential, and building relationships to help you succeed. With the right mindset and effort, you can steer your ship no matter how the wind blows.
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