The One Thing Keeping You From The Future You Want
For years, a single handwritten note hung above my desk on a scrappy piece of paper during my university days. It contained just one sentence:
The difference between where we are and where we want to be is the painful decisions we are unwilling to make.
It was true then, and it’s just as true now.
Back then, it reminded me to make the hard choices: to dedicate hours to studying, learning, and writing, even when it would have been easier to say yes to more sleep or another night out with friends. My high school principal, a leader who left a deep impact on my life, often said:
“The pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret.”
That truth has stayed with me. But today, that little note resonates even more deeply. It’s not just about the obvious choices—like whether to study or socialize—but about the countless decisions that shape who we are and where we’re headed.
The Decisions to Let Go
The future you want isn’t just shaped by what you take on; it’s shaped by what you’re willing to let go of. For me, that has often meant challening myself to release things like:
Fear – The kind that holds you back from taking a step forward or embracing a new opportunity.
Entitlement – The belief that you’re owed something, which can prevent you from doing the hard work.
The Desire for Approval – The constant craving for validation from others, which can derail your focus and purpose.
The Decisions to Embrace
Just as important as letting go is deciding what to actively take hold of:
Joy – Choosing gratitude and positivity, even in challenging circumstances.
Discipline – Committing to consistent habits that align with your goals and values.
Risks – Being willing to step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown.
These decisions are rarely easy. They’re often inconvenient, uncomfortable, and even painful. But they’re necessary. They’re the building blocks of the future you’re working toward.
The Daily Choice to Decide
In reality, the future isn’t built in one big decision. It’s shaped by the hundreds of small, painful decisions we make—or avoid making—every single day.
The decision to shape your thinking in ways that serve you well.
The decision to count yourself in, not out.
The decision to prioritize relationships and invest in the people who matter.
The decision to exercise discipline in your habits, your speech, and your actions.
And perhaps most importantly, the decision to keep asking yourself:
“What are the painful decisions I’m not making that are holding me back from where I want to be?”
That’s the question I continue to wrestle with, and it’s one I’d encourage you to ask yourself, too.
What’s Holding You Back?
The truth is, the path to the future you want isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. The pain of discipline today is far less than the pain of regret tomorrow. So, what’s the next painful decision you need to make to move toward the future you dream of?
The answer to that question could change everything.