UNITED STATES—It is hard to believe, the year 2018 is slowly coming to an end and it has gotten me thinking so much about the decisions I’ve made in life and where I want to be a year from now. First, I’ve come to the realization that I’m spending a bit more money than what I should be doing.

I don’t really know why because I’m good with a budget, but the biggest realization is that I sometimes eat out more than I should. What does that precisely mean? I should eat before leaving the home and if for whatever reasons I cannot, I have to make it a goal to grab something light and not that costly.

So now that I know what needs to be done when it comes to budgeting to save more money than what I’m already doing, my next focus is getting ready to buy a house. Yes, purchasing a house is a major responsibility, but I think it is something every single American dreams of wanting. It is something that is yours, something that you worked hard for and something that you can put your own blueprint on. There is no better feeling than turning the key and walking into a place that you can call home.

I hate the notion of making someone else rich by paying them rent, not to mention the fact that you’re not really able to make that apartment or home that you’re renting fully your own. Also when you own a home it’s a tradable commodity; it holds a tremendous amount of value and if you’ve learned anything about the game of Monopoly, owning property helps you make money! Let’s be honest all Americans love making money.

So I’ve addressed issues pertaining to better budgeting of money, goals of owning a home, the next is a new trajectory in my career. I work more than one job and to be honest I’m not fulfilled in any of those jobs. I don’t like the notion of simply working to earn a paycheck; it does not satisfy one’s soul and in my personal opinion, I didn’t sacrifice years of my life to pursue a higher education to not do what I feel in my core what I was put on this planet to do. I know in my gut I’m a filmmaker, I’m a storyteller; I want to tell stories, and I want to entertain people through my craft. I cannot do that if I’m continually focusing all my energy to things that give little fulfillment if any at all.

With me finishing school before the end of 2018, I’ve already been actively thinking well in advance of what’s next. I know I’m planning a career change, one that not only pays more, but gives me the ability to feel like I’m pursing my passion fully and not every so often. I mean I honestly could not tell you the last time I worked on a script. It’s been so long it’s not only scary, but alarming. The one thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m too willing to step in and take the bullet for other people, who are not willing to do the same for me.

I mean with one of my jobs I have not had an actual vacation in 6 years, yet there are people with less seniority than me who can request and take time off whenever they choose to. It makes me angry, but at the same time I’m realizing I’m the person who allowed it. Take control of your life, say enough is enough and do what you need to do to place yourself in a position where you can wake up in the morning and be happy to go to work or go to sleep at night and not be worried about stuff that has absolutely no relevance to you or things you should be stressed about to begin with.

Life is all about curveballs, but it’s not just about the curveballs being thrown in your direction, it’s about having the ability to deliver curveballs too. When things are not going the way that you want them to, you have to make moves to change the direction of the ball. If you do not like what’s happening, don’t just sit back and continue to allow it to happen. Change what you don’t like so things begin to move in the direction that YOU WANT, not others!