Make a decision!

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"You can't always get what you want"

- Mick Jagger

Focus your efforts. When you have chosen your goals you have to stick to them. Working hard is always important, but if your efforts don't add up to anything it could be a waste of time.

Being multi-talented is a wonderful gift, but it can also be a curse. You only have so much time in this world and building a career takes time. You can't develop all of your talents to their fullest. You must make decisions to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Gary Oldman is a talented director, but he doesn't get hired to direct films. He does, however, act in many films and enjoys a great career.

Once you make your decision, you must follow through. Henry Fonda was strongly urged not to make "Once Upon a Time in the West" because there were worries audiences would react negatively to the evil acts he performs in the films. Ultimately these concerns were proven unfounded - but Fonda still had to deal with them. He made the solid decision to go ahead with the film. If you have the clout and reputation of Fonda you can gain a lot of freedom, but ultimately investors are risk-averse. Unproven talents are risky by definition. If you can earn a reputation in one genre or medium you can expect more work in that genre or medium. You can't expect to get offers to work in different venues, however. I'm not making a commentary of the appropriateness of this situation, I'm merely stating its existence. Actors are typecast, fans like albums that sound like their favorite single, readers want the new novel to be just like the last one, only different and better.

Choose your projects wisely. Define your goals and make appropriate career choices that will place you in a position to achieve them. Not all decisions are life-changing, but any decision can change your life. Don't make them lightely, but you must choose. Floating through life will certainly take you somewhere, but it may not be where you want to go.