The "I Choose..." Framework
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So here it is, the phrase that is to be your Elixir of Life: “I Choose…” is the most powerful phrase in your arsenal of words. These two words coupled with a wonderfully pregnant ellipsis (…) will provide a pattern for you to unlock a life of unfiltered and limitless freedom. “I Choose…” can be summoned, utilized, and wielded as a shield or a sword. As a shield, it can be be warm and soft like your favorite blanket, or it can be hard and defensive like tank armor. As a sword, it is as fast, durable, and as deeply strong as you need it to be. With great power, comes great responsibility, as they say. And as such, “I Choose…” comes with a singular requirement. A simple, ubiquitous requirement that if not willingly followed will completely quell its power. You, as the Reader; You as the Wielder of this Phrase; and, only You as the Propagator of the Power of “I Choose…” You can only use “I Choose…” for yourself. You cannot choose for anyone else, and no else can choose for you. Herein lies the peril of the journey you are about to embark on through this book. Your partner, your parents, your children, your friends, your boss - no one gets to choose for you, and you cannot choose for them. Only YOU can understand the unique power of “I Choose…” for you. Now of course, the wisdom of “I Choose…” can be passed along, just as I have received it and am passing it along to you. Setting the example of “I Choose…” is the only way to continue its generational propagation. This brings us to my responsibility, as your willing guide. “I Choose…” has given me unimaginable gifts of richness and abundance. It has also given me nights spent in hospitals, days spent in tears, and months spent languishing in depression and anxiety. “I Choose…” was a gift given to me in my teens; however, it has taken me more than 30 years to realize its potential power and to reap the beauty it wishes to sow. In these pages, I am providing my context for learning and growing and truly THRIVING from using this wonderful, terrible, powerful phrase that is “I Choose…” In my unique life’s journey, having used “I Choose…” here is where I am now: - I have failed at attempting suicide - I survived being a heavy drug abuser and still struggle with the tug of addiction - I push back every day against the pain and anger of deep seeded generational abuse - I have been hit by a car while riding a motorcycle and endure the physical after effects - I am an honorably discharged Army Veteran, having served my country with vigor, Patriotism, and ignorance - I have been married 22+ years to a Partner who has seen every facet of my naked humanity - I have raised four boys (two biological and two foster) who have all been the most challenging and most rewarding givers of knowledge, wisdom, frustration, and love - I retired from Corporate America at the age of 47, having achieved everything I wanted from that career and environment - I have enjoyed making love in some of the most exotic locations this Earth has to offer - I have seen beauty present itself beyond the confines of typical human existence - I have danced in the ballroom of a sunken ship surrounded by incredible friends I have learned that my life is the continuous culmination of “I Choose…”, and I am grateful for every moment and every choice I get to make. Now, I get to choose to be an Author. This is the first choice I have made in my life using the fully awakened power of “I Choose…” It means I am actively choosing the joy and shame that comes with you consuming the gamut of my life’s experiences. It means choosing the financial uncertainty that comes from severing the umbilical cord of Corporate America, while also choosing the potential higher reward that comes from earning through authenticity and measured risk. It means I am setting the example of a life fueled and driven by “I Choose…” And now you can begin to see how this phrase works. I CHOOSE to write this book knowing that I have no control over the outcome of how you will use it in your life. It is a gift given with the full and potentially heartbreaking understanding that you will do with it what you will, no matter my intent. I, too, must abide by the singular requirement, and as such I cannot choose for you. Just know, by reading this far, in this moment, you are already being empowered by “I Choose…” and you are here now at your first conscious crossroads… “I Choose to put this book down and walk away.” Or… “I Choose to turn the page and begin my Journey…”
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About the Book
Born from a grandmother’s gifted sticky note with the simple message, ‘I Choose…’, the ‘I Choose…’ Framework provides a compelling strategy for a life fully lived and spent thriving. Building from just these two words and a beautifully pregnant ellipsis (…), you will learn simple tools that leverage the power you already have to make choices. You will focus on the core of what it means to live as a Healthy Human, how you form your desired Professional Identity, and creating the roadmap for a future that YOU choose. With continuous themes of self-love, introspection, and personal empowerment, you can’t help but experience meaningful change from this humorous, heartfelt, and impactful I Choose…’ journey.
About the Author
Travis Allen Sterner, MBA is known as a friend and mentor. He writes from the heart with a passion and authenticity that connects his readers with lessons learned from real-life experiences. With his easy style, an ability to convey meaningful content with humorous analogies, and unabashed love for the irony, absurdity, and wonder that is our shared human existence, he excels in ‘edutainment.’ He is an advocate of suicide prevention, based on his own high school attempt. He began his career in the US Army, then spent over two decades in corporate America, retiring at 47 to pursue being an author and motivational speaker. He has been married for 22+ years, and raised four boys. Travis believes we are on this Earth to serve each other and as such shares his writing, speaking, and other creative talents to convey strategies for self-care, optimism, and empathy for oneself and community.