American performer Rory O'Malley is well-known for his parts in Broadway musicals, such as "Hamilton," in which he portrays several characters. According to a reflection on his decisions after college, O'Malley's career path took some unexpected turns despite his success on stage.

O'Malley had intended to relocate to New York City, the center of American theater and entertainment, after graduating from college. But rather than following this well-traveled route, he took a risk by relocating to Los Angeles, a city more frequently connected to the television and movie industries. This shift required him to confront his fears rather than merely decide between two cities.

At the age of 22, O'Malley was at a turning point in his life, and the road ahead seemed intimidating—not because of the final destination, but rather because he was afraid of making the wrong decision. He came to the realization that sometimes you have to make choices in order to overcome your hesitation and proceed, much like when you jump into cold water.

This reflection demonstrates how people are frequently paralyzed by fear or indecision rather than by pragmatic considerations. O'Malley acknowledged that the true barrier keeping him from pursuing his goals to the fullest extent was his own hesitancy. He was able to make a choice that brought him to Los Angeles and created new opportunities by confronting this fear head-on.

To use a metaphor, life decisions can be compared to climbing mountains. You may eventually find yourself at the foot of two distinct peaks, each of which could be a possible route forward. Because so many people have climbed a particular mountain before, it may appear familiar and safer (e.g., moving to New York after graduation). The other may seem strange, presenting both new difficulties and unanticipated possibilities (relocating to Los Angeles).

Instead of allowing your fears to hold you back, O'Malley's story inspires you to confront them head-on and venture outside of your comfort zone. His experience serves as an example of how facing fear head-on is sometimes the best course of action.