I have always had trouble committing to decisions that, by their nature, close off other opportunities. This applies to both my personal and professional life. The biggest challenge I’ve encountered in my efforts to enter the development field has been figuring out which path I want to pursue and how much I’m willing to commit to it.

I understand that committing, for example, to generative AI and machine learning doesn’t necessarily stop you from eventually learning or pivoting toward, say, low-level C, Rust, or Zig. However, it certainly consumes a significant amount of time and bandwidth to dive deeply enough to gain meaningful knowledge. That effort will be hindered considerably if it’s spread thin across multiple areas of focus.

Although the phrase in this post’s title has become somewhat cliché, it still resonates deeply with me. I’ve always struggled with making major commitments (What country should I live in? What degree should I pursue? What breed of dog should I get?). I think this resonates with me because constantly keeping it in the back of my mind helps me remember that if I never commit to something, I’ll never accomplish anything.

Commit to doing fulfilling work. Commit to relationships that bring out the best in you. Commit to getting in the best shape of your life. Commit to improving yourself on something every single day.