Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.

Chocolate ice cream or an apple for dessert? Waking up early and hitting the gym or sleeping in? Taking the stairs or taking the elevator?

On average, human beings make about 35,000 conscious decisions every day. 35,000! From small choices like what to eat to bigger decisions like what career path to follow, we are constantly bombarded by choices. Some choices are easier than others. And some are more tempting than others.

Have you ever had to choose between something you knew was the right decision and something that felt easier? Procrastinating versus getting to work is a common one.

But, oftentimes the right path is not the easiest one; the right path is wrought with its own challenges and struggles.

Sacrifices

You’ve probably heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Whenever you make a decision, you sacrifice something. If you decide to eat a salad, you sacrifice a lunch that will satisfy your carb cravings. If you decide to say yes to a job opportunity, you sacrifice the chance to lay in bed and watch Netflix.

Hence, you have to be prepared for sacrifice. In certain situations, like the ones mentioned earlier, doing the right thing – like being healthy or earning money to support yourself – can mean you sacrifice what feels better in the moment.

What Do You Value?

Sometimes we have to choose between two things that we want. For example, we might have to sacrifice a relationship for a job promotion. Or we might have to sacrifice a job promotion that means a lot of travel for the sake of our family. In either case, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ path. The right path for you depends on you. What do you value? What is important to you? Do you value relationships? Or do you value success?

Caring For Others

Another aspect of the right path is doing the morally right thing. For example, it is easier to steal than to work for your own money, right? But it isn’t right.

Similarly, consider what impact your decision will have on others. Leaving your partner for a job opportunity across the world doesn’t have to be morally wrong, but what effect will it have on him or her? What have you already committed to your partner? It’s important to stay true to your word, even when it isn’t easy.

Self-Discipline

Another aspect of what people many consider the ‘right path’ is being disciplined. Discipline is hardly ‘easy’, but it is one of those things that get easier as you practice it. At first, discipline can be tremendously challenging. But as you become more disciplined every day, even in small ways like giving up just one out of five sugary treats in a day, it gets easier to be more disciplined in other areas of your life, too.

Emotionally Difficult

Sometimes the right path for you means you have to do difficult things. Difficult things don’t always mean something that requires a lot of physical or mental energy. Sometimes, it is difficult to say no. Or, it can be difficult to leave a toxic relationship. It can also be difficult to set boundaries with a hurtful family member. However, you have to do the hard thing if you want to grow and evolve.

Sometimes the right path for you, the one that will help you reach your goals and create the life you want to live, is difficult. But perhaps it is right because it is difficult; as you overcome each challenge, you grow and evolve into a better and stronger person. You always have a choice: to take the easy path or the more difficult one. While you may not know where either one will take you, you can always be sure that the difficult one will leave you wiser and stronger.