Worth It All

Sometimes it’s hard to know if it’s all worth it. You’re out in the woodshed, slaving away on this thing you love, night and day. But does anyone else care?Will anyone else care?

At times, you may be tempted to pack it in. You’d like to return to normal, to the way things were before this new way of life came along.

The problem is, what’s really normal? And would you really be happy if you gave up now?

Sometimes it’s OK to pack it in and move on. That’s what most people do, most of the time. But how do you know if giving up is the right choice?

Thankfully, there’s a simple answer.

You know when you think about the future. When you look ahead and ask yourself what it’s all about. “Self,” you ask, “Do you really want this more than anything else? Are you really willing to stick it out here in the cold woodshed to make this thing that may not go over well?”

And this is how you’ll know.

If the answer is no, it’s not worth it, and it turns out you don’t really care anymore, then that’s OK. No need to feel guilty, and no need to keep slaving away in the shed on something you didn’t actually love after all. Just move on. It happens to all of us.

But.

If you give the opposite answer—if you determine that it is in fact worth at all—then you’ll know in your heart what to do.

One way or another, you’ll need to stick it out. You’ll need to find a way to make it happen. You’ll need to head back to the shed, for as long as it takes, and regardless of the results on the other side. Screw the outcome; it’s all about the process.

That’s how you’ll know.

Oh, one more thing. Once you make your decision, stick with it.

Everyone experiences doubt, but never allow doubt to determine the direction. Giving yourself over to doubt is a sucker’s game, and you’re no sucker.

Full speed ahead, or give up and move on. Those are the only options.

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Photo by picjumbo.com