35,000 decisions. That’s how many choices we make in a day. Every moment presents a smorgasbord of options. From what song to play next, to what flavor of coffee to purchase, to whether to buy the latest deal on Amazon.

Today you will make more than 200 decisions about food alone. While your latest Starbuck’s flavor may not seem that life-changing, your daily decisions shape who you are becoming. That’s why it’s important to be intentional. The decisions you make now are doorways to your future.

“The decisions you make now are doorways to your future.”

How do you know which doorways to pursue? Here are five important decisions that will shape where you are headed:

Choose to invest your time, not spend it.
Choose to guard who you associate with most.
Choose your destination up front.
Choose your outside experiences well.
Choose to own your learning and growth.

Each of these decisions will guide you along the path toward what you want. Of course there will be surprises along the way, but that is part of the adventure!

If you’re figuring out what step is next for you, be sure to join our webinar “I’m Graduating, Now What? Defeating Crippling Anxiety in a Decision Saturated World" on Tuesday, October 24, 8pm EDT. In this live webinar, coach Joshua Shi will be sharing practical tips for confidently charting a course for your future. Sign up for this webinar to get confidence and clarity for the next chapter of your story.

Carissa Gay is a career and leadership coach who helps aspiring leaders clarify their vision and maximize their impact. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, and enjoys books, chocolates, and cross-cultural adventures. You can connect with her on FB at Courageous Leaders.