Direction Is Everything
There was a stretch where work felt like a grind.
Not because it was too hard. Not because I had too much to do. The problem was worse than that.
I had no idea what actually mattered.
Priorities were a mess. Decisions took forever. Progress felt impossible. I’d sit down ready to work, only to realize I wasn’t sure where to start. Nothing moved forward. And that was exhausting.
Then one day, things changed. Whether it was personal, scholastic or job related, once I knew what needed to be done, everything changed. Work didn’t just feel easier. It felt good. I had momentum. I was making decisions instead of overthinking them.
Same job. Same hours. The only difference was knowing where I was headed.
And if you’ve ever been stuck, you already know this isn’t just about work.
Stuck or Moving
I’ve felt this pattern my whole life. When I had a clear goal, I was moving. When I didn’t, everything felt like a struggle.
It happened when I thought about dentistry. Same with business. Same with law. Whenever I had a plan, things felt easier. Whenever I questioned it, even simple tasks felt impossible.
People assume feeling stuck is a motivation problem. It’s not. It’s a direction problem. You don’t need to wake up every morning feeling inspired. You just need to know where you’re going.
You Don’t Need the Perfect Plan
A lot of people wait because they think they need to have it all figured out before they start. They want certainty. A ten-year roadmap. A perfect answer.
But you don’t need certainty. You just need a direction.
Pick something, move toward it, and adjust. If it turns out to be wrong, congratulations. You just ruled something out. That’s progress.
People think they can plan their way into the right decision. But thinking only gets you so far. The real answers show up once you start moving.
How to Test Your Way Forward
If you feel stuck, try something. Anything.
Think about it like driving. If your car isn’t moving, turning the wheel does nothing. But once you start rolling, even at five miles per hour, you can make adjustments.
Not sure if you want to pursue a career? Do a short internship. Take a class. Shadow someone for a day.
Thinking about starting a business? Sell one thing. Talk to one person. See what happens.
Torn between two choices? Flip a coin. Not to decide, but to see how you feel when it lands. That reaction tells you what you actually want.
Making the wrong choice isn’t failure. Sitting around waiting for the perfect answer is failure.
Your First Choice Might Be Wrong
A lot of people pick a direction and realize they hate it. That’s normal.
I’ve had students work for years toward something, only to find out it wasn’t for them. But even that wasn’t a waste. They learned. They moved forward with real experience instead of guessing.
A bad first choice is better than no choice at all. At least now you know. At least now you can pivot based on reality, not theory.
The Cost of Standing Still
If you take nothing else from this, remember this. Waiting feels safe, but it’s usually the worst thing you can do.
Your brain will convince you that if you just think about it a little longer, you’ll find the answer. But thinking has diminishing returns. At a certain point, it’s just anxiety disguised as strategy.
Action gives you real data.
If you’re feeling stuck, don’t wait for some life-changing realization. Pick something. Move. Adjust later.
Where Are You Headed Next?
You don’t have to know the destination. You just have to pick a direction.
The worst thing you can do is nothing.