They say life isn’t about the things that happen to you, but about the decisions you make. There’s a ton of coverage about the best decisions people have made, but not nearly enough conversation about the tough decisions. We asked folks we admire to tell us about the most difficult decision they’ve ever had to make and have shared some of those responses below.

Mishéll | Artist & Musician

When I was 23, I faced a significant challenge as I suffered a stroke amidst a bustling schedule of concerts, TV shows, and international projects. Doctors told me I wouldn’t sing again and must change my profession and artistic lifestyle. To me, it felt like a sentence to death, not life – just mere existence. So I had to make a decision, and thanks to my family, who was always there for me, it wasn’t that hard. Read more>>

HANG HOANG | Registered Nurse and Co-Founder of HBU Global ( Health and Beauty for You)

The most challenging decision I’ve ever faced was choosing to dive into the health and beauty industry while juggling a demanding full-time career as a registered nurse and being a mom to three young children. Since childhood, I’ve harbored an ambition to make a larger impact on the world. The dilemma lay in balancing this ambition with my existing commitments without compromising the quality of time spent with my family. Read more>>

Debora Tacylla | Actress

I would not say it was a decision but rather a realization. In my early teen years, when I decided I wanted to be an actress, I thought I would become a star immediately. I had heard stories from A-List actors saying it took them years for them to get to where they were at the time, but I swore that would not be my case. I thought I would not need to go to university, work in a different field and conciliate it with acting or audition for various projects before receiving a ‘yes’. Read more>>

Sasha Lalite | CEO | Serial Entrepreneur | Game Changer | Outsourced COO | Jewelry Designer | Author | Speaker

The biggest lessons I’ve learned about my professional journey is that you must stay true to yourself, and that rejection is redirection. I have learned to embrace who I am as a talent – with confirmation that it is okay to not fit in a box. All my experiences have built me into the person I am today and I’m able to apply my expertise and help others execute on their visions because of this. Read more>>

Kate Castro | Artist. Singer/Songwriter/Entertainer

The most important lesson that my career has taught me has been to believe in myself first. Outside validation is not the goal. The confidence one exudes comes across and when we believe in ourselves, others will too. Read more>>

Yevgeniy and Evgenii Khan / Banshchikov | Wedding Videographers / The owners of JJ Wed Pro Studio

Running a wedding videography studio has taught me many valuable lessons, but perhaps the most important one is the significance of capturing genuine emotions and moments that truly reflect the essence of a couple’s special day. In the beginning, I focused heavily on technical aspects – cameras, angles, and editing techniques. Read more>>