Self-Determination vs. Pre-Determination

There are two opposing schools of thought that divide mankind – Self-Determination vs. Predetermination.

Those who subscribe to the Self-Determination school of thought believe human beings are in control of their life circumstances. 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.

In other words, the circumstances of our lives are dictated by our own decisions, our own behaviors and the choices that we make. We, in effect, create our own destiny.

Those who subscribe to the Pre-Determination school of thought believe we are not in control of our life circumstances. 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 outside force of nature prompts us to do so.

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 the Self-Determination school of thought you forge a Self-Reliance Mindset. Through hard work and personal initiative you 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 the Pre-Determination school of thought you forge a Dependency Mindset because you see yourself as a victim of circumstances, and because you see yourself as a victim of circumstances, 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.

Tom Corley

Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner, public speaker, and author of the books “Effort-Less Wealth: Smart Money Habits At Every Stage of Your Life” and “RichKids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life“.  Corley’s work has appeared on CNN, USA Today, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, and many other media outlets and podcasts in the U.S. and 27 other countries. Tom is a frequent contributor to Business Insider and CNBC.