Committing to success is not always an easy decision. There will be hesitation and doubt, whether it's making the decision to attend college or applying for that dream job you have always wanted. When you're not quite feeling up to the challenge, it might be time for you to stop and consider all that you have achieved in your life up until this defining moment and make the decision to put your future first.

To help you in your commitment, I'm going to share a personal story about how and why I decided to commit to success.

The Journey

I will never forget the day I decided that college was right for me. I was filling out the online application form when I stumbled upon the field marked "select your major". At such a young age, I had no clue what I wanted to do in life and researched the top paying majors and jobs they entailed. I had assumed, like many do, that I should ignore my passions and pursue a career field that pays big bucks. I scheduled an appointment with my career counselor who then proceeded to choose courses that he believed would benefit me the most and - alas! - I was ready to begin my higher education.

When I arrived at school on the first day of class, I was ready to rock and looking forward to the many adventures the day would bring. However, as each course passed I realized that what I was learning had nothing to do with what truly interested me. I'm not talking about the general education courses either, these were courses that were specifically tailored to the major I had foolishly chosen. After giving it a few weeks, I made the decision to withdraw from all but one course (English 101) and spent the next several months paying that semester off.

Following my withdrawal from college, I came to realize that I had been afraid to pursue my passion for writing and editing. I had been so disheartened by the pessimist words of the Internet which screamed to major in anything other than English that I honestly believed what I loved doing wasn't meaningful or worth the trouble of pursuing. At first, I felt defeated and embarrassed. My family was so happy when I showed interest in attending college that I felt I had let them down, it was a time that I reflect back to as "mental mayhem". This period of self-doubt was destructive, but through reflection and the kind words of others I was able to find my way back on course.

As I stated earlier, committing to success is not easy. When I decided to pursue what I truly loved, I took the initiative and plotted out every course I would take the next two years before transferring to University. When the time came to see my new career counselor, I came prepared with a detailed chart showing each semester and what courses I intended on taking to fulfill my degree requirements. I was done feeling defeated and took my success into my own hands. I have since finished my associate's at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and am closing in on my senior year at the University of Cincinnati, and I can proudly say that I have no regrets for following through with what I love.

I hope that through my story you can find the strength to push forward with your dreams and aspirations. Don't let the doubts and suspicions of others lead you to believe that you or your dreams aren't worth the hassle. If you find yourself feeling down and filled with doubt, seek guidance from those who have lifted you up. The time has come for you to take control of your success.