Most people have run into a scene like this: abandoned projects sitting on your desk, or a pair of ice skates hanging in your closet from when you watched the winter Olympics and decided you wanted the gold four years from now. But you weren’t good at it the first time around, and it killed your motivation, leaving the remnants of your dreams collecting dust. According to the University of Delaware, around 90% of people stop pursuing their New Year’s resolutions after only a few weeks. 

The greatest athletes or cooks or doctors didn’t give up the first time they failed a test or lost a game. Countless hours go into being the best. It’s not easy, but working towards your goals while balancing school, work, or other daily obligations isn’t something that everyone is willing to do. Be the one who is willing to go above and beyond. Following the same path as everyone else won’t take you to the top.

Seeing others who are better than you at something you love can be discouraging. It’s human nature to compare yourself to others, but you can’t let their wins stop you. Use it as motivation. All the most successful people have role models. Even your coach, your parents, and your teachers have all looked up to somebody before.

What happens when those passions lead to major life choices? You got accepted into your top two colleges, and can’t decide between them. You got offers from two different jobs, and want to do them both. You have to choose between two classes that happen at the same time. Big or small, these choices are not easy. 

Having to make these decisions is inevitable, but this sentiment shouldn’t be carried to all aspects of life. Trying to achieve your dreams doesn’t always mean you have to choose. If you have a passion for something, you don’t have to quit other things you love. 

So, follow your heart. Life can go through twists and turns, but passions are there to provide a continuous spark. You don’t have to be good at the things you’re passionate about. As long as you put in effort, you can do difficult things and accomplish what you want. No matter what anyone else says or does, you can do it. Don’t give up on yourself.