We are faced with thousands of decisions everyday. From deciding what to eat for breakfast to choosing a career path, every decision affects us in some way – some are more impactful than others. We can’t go through life being skeptical about every choice we make, but we can be picky about our lifestyle choices.

You can’t choose family, but you can choose your friends. And it’s those friends that will either build you up or tear you down. Think back to the friends you had in kindergarten. The ones you made because they were happy, fun and genuine people. Those are the same types of friends you need throughout your life because they will push you to do more and be positive while doing it.

Those same friends affect other aspects of your life as well. They will be the ones urging you to go out all night or understanding when you need to put schoolwork first. This isn’t to say that the occasional putting-off homework and waiting until the last minute to turn in an assignment won’t happen, because if we are being honest, it happens to all of us. But as easy as it is to push off schoolwork, it’s never worth it in the end. Try harder; study more, because the good grades and the extracurricular activities are worth it. The best students are dedicated to their schoolwork and picky about turning in the best work they can.

Though school is important, it's also important to start building your resume and get a job. Be picky with the job you want while also being grateful for the opportunities that come along. This goes for college students, grad students and even high school students. There have been so many times in my life when I have been told to prepare for the future. Prepare for college. Prepare for the work force. But how do you prepare? Well you have to apply for jobs that will help you reach your dream job. The earlier you start the better. In high school and even college there will always be the jobs in fast food or retail that are, let’s face it, less than ideal. However, it’s what you make of them that makes all the difference. Stand out amongst your peers and be persistent until you are happy with the job you have.

Friends, school, work: they are all important and help us reach what we are truly stretching for: our goals. They are all different, all unique, but they are all our own. And that’s what makes every one of them so powerful. Motivate yourself to fight for whatever it is that you want. If you want it badly enough, you’ll reach it. But it takes a lot of mistakes and setbacks to eventually succeed.

Life is about doing what you love and loving what you do. So be picky — don’t compromise your goals because you don’t think you’ll accomplish them. Accept that there will be setbacks, there will be obstacles, but in the end you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.