Choices. I’m not talking about vanilla or chocolate, or Coke or Pepsi.

I’m talking about life choices some people make versus the choices others make. Why do some people seem to always get ahead while others are stuck in a rut? All of us make hundreds of decisions each week, some more important than others.

Here’s this month’s tough question—are you one of those people that always seems to get ahead or do you think you are stuck in the rut?

One of my favorite quotes is from Maria Robinson: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” When you have a major decision to make, do you wish you could look into a crystal ball and see the outcome? If you could do that, you might not do what is necessary to get what you want. Ever think of that?

Let’s face the facts. There really is no such thing as luck. It was the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca who said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Aha! There is the challenge—we have to prepare! We have to plan!

I just took a flight to Austin, Texas, from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif. It is about 1,400 miles between the two. When I got on the plane they told us what time we would arrive and, that if we had turbulence along the way, they knew how to make up for it and get us there on time.

Isn’t that amazing? The pilots have a flight plan. Do you? Do you have a plan for how you are going to get from today to tomorrow? Have you written down what you want to achieve and put specific dates on achieving your goals and dreams?

Life is about making choices that propel you to where you want to be, not expel you from your dream. You have a choice today. Choose to make a plan. Remember, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Become a pilot and figure out where you want to end up, the route you are going to take, and what time you are going to get there. You can achieve this!