Life is made up of millions of decisions that we face each day, and the choice is typically decided upon what sounds good at the time. The problem with this logic is that it doesn’t extend to an individual’s long-term goals and future plans.

Instant gratification may be nice at the time, but it can only last for so long. At some point, we must learn to make choices that will benefit us in the future, even if it isn’t the most comfortable choice at the present time.

People often let the idea of perfectionism infest their minds and become frustrated at the realization that they can never measure up to it. This causes us to become fed up with trying to reach for something so far-fetched and impossible that we just stop trying whatsoever.

I think this is the absolute worst way to approach any situation. I do it at times myself, and it just takes me farther from my ultimate goals. If we ever want to be happy with ourselves and our lives, we have to stop settling for "enough" and start striving for our best, even if it is difficult.

Throughout my teenage years, my friends and I settled for guys who definitely did not deserve us. Just to clarify, I am not saying this in an egotistical manner whatsoever, and I am fully aware that teenage relationships are incredibly immature. However, teenage heartbreaks are some of the most painful, and I could have saved myself so much of it if I had known this: Not one single person is worth risking your happiness. Know your worth and add tax. If he can't afford it, tell him: BOY, BYE.

Don’t settle for someone because you “love” each other.

Don’t settle for someone because you’ve been together for a long time.

Don’t settle for someone because it’s too hard not to.

Don’t settle.

It goes further than just relationships, though. People settle for houses, careers, and even entire lives they don’t necessarily want. If the thought of your major doesn’t make you excited about what the future holds, look into other majors. I’m not telling you to change it a million times, but you should choose it wisely.

If you find yourself miserable going to work in the morning, it may be time to relocate or find a new career pathway. If you can’t stand the way your house looks/smells/groans, call a realtor and find a new one. Better yet, find a new city and rent an apartment. You only have one life, so why on earth would you spend it sitting in one place stuck at a standstill?

If you feel like you’re completely settling for the life you’re living, something needs to change.I can’t tell you exactly what that is because it is for you to seek out. That’s the most glorious part of the journey: it’s yours to find!

There is no other human being who has the ability to change your life. If you put your heart and soul into an idea, it will eventually happen.

Suppose you were offered a promotion at your work with a salary increase of $100 per hour at the small price of improved customer service versus a similar promotion with a smaller salary increase of only $50 per hour without improving standards of customer service, exactly how polite would you be to your customers?

Would you improve your attitude in order to improve your paycheck, or settle for a smaller income in order to maintain the same attitude you’ve become accustomed to?

Now imagine that God is offering you a promotion of closeness with Him and a positive mindset at the price of actively seeking Him. Don’t settle for a slow chase toward the Kingdom of Heaven. No matter what, don’t settle.