Faith is fear turned upside down. Do you fear the worst or hope for the best?

What are the things that challenge you each day?

There are fears, insecurities, anxiety, self-worth issues with putting yourself out there in any way for people to critize. How are you putting yourself out there?

Maybe you blog? Maybe you speak? Maybe you have a podcast? There is something you feel deeply passionate about that other people wish to know that you sacrifice the fear of “what will they think…” for the faith that “the right people will see your message.”

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” – Steven Furtick

What do you fear?

Walking back from lunch the other day, I saw a girl that was putting away her camera. I introduced myself and found out her name was Lindsay.

• Me: “How did the shoot go?”
• Lindsay: “Bad.”
• Me: “I’m sure it’s not that bad…let me see.”
• Lindsay: “No, I don’t want to, I think it looks bad.”

In that moment, I shared a story with Lindsay about something I didn’t want to share, but was happy after I did.

I recently completed a painting after being encouraged to start painting by Nancy, a workshop attendee. I shared with Nancy that I was fearful to begin because I wasn’t sure how to paint and wasn’t sure even how to begin with a blank canvas. I stepped up, faced my fears and began the painting and completed it. After I did, I was nervous and fearful to show others what I had painted. Art is very personal.

Nancy shared with me that most people (artists, musicians, entertainers, etc.) are overly critical of their work because they feel exposed. She said that when you are an artist, you are giving a brief glimpse of your world to your audience. After Nancy’s encouragement to share, I did and she gave me great feedback.

After I shared that story with Lindsay, she agreed to show me her pictures (of which many were really good, and I offered her heartfelt encouragement.) In response, I agreed to show her a picture of my painting that I had taken on my phone. She felt relieved and I felt more open to sharing to others. We both faced our fears and the other side wasn’t nearly as scary as we both thought.

Have you found most of your “fearful” decisions that you make are typically received with encouragement?

If there is something that is holding you back from taking a step towards sharing your purpose, that longing inside that has been calling you, what is the next step in faith you can take?

• Is it a phone call?
• Is it an article you need to write?
• Is it a decision you need to make?

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Decide what is the next step, call a friend and let them know you are going to make that phone call, write that article or make that decision by a certain time. It’s as simple as that.

You begin building momentum with each action. There is power (and happiness) found in momentum.

How will this simple strategy help you enjoy life daily?

Taking that next step may be the very thing that inspires you to venture outside of your own comfort zone. As you lead others through actions, how and where do you get the insights you are looking for? Set up a complementary chat to help you break through limiting beliefs to get you further on the path of your purpose.