I’ve come to realize that making choices that might affect others isn’t always an easy thing. Especially if it’s not a popular decision. When you set out to accomplish a dream or goal, hard choices will come into play. You may lose a few folks along the way, bruise your knees when you stumble but ultimately, there has to be a determining factor that propels you forward. That makes you get up, dust off and start the journey all over again.

Part of that process is knowing your own limitations. Being able to admit that your plate is full and refuse the second or third helpings. Sometimes you even have to pass on the dessert. It’s not that you don’t enjoy the cook’s cuisine, but knowing when to say I’ve had enough, I’m full or no thank you can sometimes take finesse. Even so there are bound to be a few offended chefs.

First rule of hard decisions is accepting you cannot and will not please everybody. That will derail your determination before you even leave the station.

I use these analogies to say that what you (or I) may value and place the highest priority on isn’t necessarily placed in the highest regard for others. And when you have to say no, take a step back, lighten your load, it isn’t always understood but it’s still a necessary, next step in the going forward process; unequivocally so when you have allowed all the extras to get you off track in the first place! It’s not enough to step on the scale of life and see the extra pounds and and do nothing but complain about it!  You (I) have to be willing to do the extra work to shed the weights (or cares of this world) to get back into form. If that means less television, less partying, even less hours on a job to pursue your dreams, it takes the courage to know when to say when. To decline invitations when you have an outline to work on. To pass on starting that new fall television show to work on your writing. To even let go of distractions and even those pastimes that you enjoy, to refocus on what made you want to write in the first the place.

Despite it all, hard choices are not impossible ones. Difficult to make at times but you can do it. Unpopular decisions may make you feel rotten but they are not unbearable. When you think of the outcome, of the rewards of being diligent, you can survive being unpopular. You either make the choice to work for your dreams or you sit back and live with the regrets of not trying.

When that journey becomes a solitary one, remind yourself that you signed up for it. Call to remembrance the joy the journey brought you. Understand that your dreams are non negotiable. Give yourself permission to accomplish your goals.