How do I take a leap of faith when I don’t know where I’m going to land?
I jumped out of a plane the other week. I had no idea where I was going to land, and I wasn’t even 100% sure I was going to land at all knowing there was a 50/50 chance I could live or die. Nevertheless, I put my life in the hands of my instructor and I took the plunge anyway (you’ll catch that later).
Although it’s not everyday that we jump out of airplanes, it is quite common that many of us are challenged to step out of our comfort zones, face our fears, and travel into unknown territory. I don’t always have the answers, and I definitely don’t always know if or how things are going to work out, but like the great Pastor F. Bruce Williams said, “God will not give you an assignment without the right equipment.”
So, how do I take a leap of faith?
Pray, pray, and pray some more.
There are two things prayer helps me with (amongst a number of other things) – fear and focus. I can’t lie, no matter how many leaps of faith I take, they scare me every time, but I’ve realized the more I pray, the less I focus on my fear and the more I focus on my faith. I am most confused about the plans or purpose for my life, when I’ve made prayer a less important priority in my life. So, I’m trying to be more consistent and intentional when it comes to prayer.
Pay attention to the signs and God’s voice.
Clearly I’ve made terrible relationship decisions, changed positions, or started an idea despite the signs that told me to stop, wait, move on, or let go. Just the other week, a friend called me, and asked for some advice about a major decision. Because of how things were falling into place so easily, it was pretty obvious and clear to both of us that she needed to move forward with the decision. Most times, that’s how you know it’s God – when you don’t have to force it, and everything seems to come together so seamlessly and effortlessly. Sometimes, we have to simply pray: “Lord, send me a sign, and if the sign is different from what I want, help me to be okay with it anyway.”
Plan what you can.
Planning helps hold me accountable. When I decided to write my second book, I didn’t have a publisher pressuring me to finish, but that didn’t stop me from creating what looked like a Gantt chart – a chart that’s often used in Corporate America to help map out production deadlines over a period of time. The chart and my task lists kept me productive, and they provided a visual so that my ideas became a reality. People always ask me, “How do I start writing a book,” and I always tell them, “Start writing.” Whatever your leap of faith is, create a plan, be honest with yourself, and set realistic and achievable goals.
Prepare for detours.
No matter how hard we plan, unfortunately life happens and interruptions occur. I remember when my husband and I moved to Memphis – it totally threw off my plans. I couldn’t understand why we had to pack and move to a new, unfamiliar city. This was never a part of my life vision, and I struggled to be happy for others around me who appeared to be living out their dreams. For months, I tried desperately to figure out a way to get back to Atlanta, but nothing worked. I became extremely frustrated; so much so, that I ended up wasting a lot of time. I should’ve worried less about the location, and focused more on the lesson and the preparation for the next chapter in my life. Don’t let a minor detour, cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Pay less attention to what everyone else is doing.
Constant comparison will kill your confidence; and if comparison is the killer, then social media is the gun. It’s one thing to be inspired by someone else, but it’s another thing to imitate their life completely. Certain posts and images will have you thinking your marriage is terrible, you’re not as successful as you should be, everyone is in a relationship but you (#RelationshipGoals), or you need cosmetic surgery…or some other ridiculous suggestion.
Just the other day I heard an awesome speaker/blogger/author. By the end of it, I felt like I could conquer the world, but I also felt slightly defeated as if I hadn’t accomplished anything compared to her numerous achievements. I had to check myself very quickly though, and remembered how easy it is to look at others from afar and mistakenly assume their success came overnight. We see people shine, but we don’t always see their grind. I can’t try to manufacture who I think should be based on who or what I see on social media or in real life. The best person I can be is me, and the best place to be is right where God wants me to be.
Position yourself around positive people.
It’s so important when you’re about to take a leap of faith, to surround yourself and only share certain things with those who will push, encourage, and cheer for you, especially those who are already doing what you aspire to do. Otherwise, you’ll waste energy trying to explain your dreams to people who are sleeping on you. That’s why sometimes you have to move in silence. Some people are only committed to knowing who you used to be, not who you aspire to be. I realize now more than ever (and excuse my slang) that everything aint for everybody. Some people would rather hear about your nightmares instead of your dreams.
Prepare for what’s coming.
There are times when we don’t receive what we prayed for because we’re not ready to receive them, and then there are other times when you start to see that your preparation is paying off. I remember when Necole reached out to me about being a contributor for her site, xoNecole. I didn’t really have to write anything new because I already had a plethora of articles waiting to be shared with a broader audience. I didn’t have to get ready, I was ready.
Whatever preparation looks like for you – a plan, money for the investment, business proposal, updated resume, doing the work, etc. – make sure you’re ready to answer the door when the opportunity comes knocking. Like my friend, Natalie Gilmore, said the other day, “Are you waiting on God, or is He waiting on you?”
Persevere and don’t give up!
Once you’ve made the leap, it’s even harder to keep at it, and wait patiently. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do for as long as you can, until your side hustle becomes your main hustle. Until then, be smart about any decision you make. I know for certain that consistency is key, and it pays off. Plus, you never know who’s watching you.
