Every Decision Counts

When I woke up Tuesday morning around six, I rolled over and stayed under the covers. There have been days when I opted for store-baked pizza, intentionally avoiding the low-sodium options I knew were better for me. And there were days when I let the fatigue talk me out of running, telling myself I’ll do it tomorrow. But here’s the thing: every decision counts. Because the wrong decision can keep you from your dreams.

Be Intentional

For a while now, I felt like I haven’t been making the progress on my writing that I could. I’ve been using the excuse that I’m too tired from working the overnight shift. As a result, I found myself turning the TV on more to watch my favourite episodes of The Big Bang Theory. In this world filled with hate and conflict, the levity provides a welcome reprieve. But watching any show means I’m not writing, not making progress, not living up to my fullest potential.

I don’t have a receipt that can give me back the time I’ve put into something. That’s why you have to place a premium value on how you spend the limited time you have.¹

I needed to change that. Knowing that every decision counts, I signed up for a 30-Day Creative Challenge. The draw for me to the challenge were the coworking sessions scheduled throughout the week. In the first week alone of the challenge, I committed to attending every coworking session—no matter how tired I was from working all night, no matter if I felt like it. That intention led to one of my most productive weeks in months.

Every Decision Counts

On the days that I don’t run, it makes it harder for me to get back to where I was—in terms of endurance, pace, and distance—before my mild cardiomyopathy diagnosis. Every time I eat food high in sodium, I’m reducing the chances of improving my heart health as well as lowering my blood pressure. Every time I reach for the package of Reese’s Pieces peanut butter cups, I’m opting for immediate gratification instead of long-term results.

Every decision counts towards our dreams, whether we achieve them or let the cobwebs pile up on them. If you’re not where you want to be in life, it’s time to get intentional about how you spend your time and what you give your energy to. You’re in charge. Or as Jim Rohn wrote: “Be responsible for and to yourself. It’s your crop to harvest. Whatever your harvest is, take it without complaint. Take it without blaming others.”²

And I just want to tell you today that you are loved, you are worthy, and you matter. And, best of all, you do not need anyone’s permission to be—unapologetically—who you are.

1. Jackson, C. (2020). Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter, New York, Amistad 35, p. 113. [↩]
2. Rohn, J. (2022). The Power of Ambition: Awakening the Powerful Force Within You, Shippensburg, Nightingale-Conant-Corporation, p. 62. [↩]