Unleashing Your Potential & Stepping Out On Faith
Take a moment to close your eyes and think about your most cherished goal. Now, ask yourself: why do you believe this goal is out of reach? What's preventing you from taking that leap of faith and pursuing what you truly desire?
For me, I had all the resources and time, but I let external skepticism stop me from really going as hard as I wanted to. Isn’t it crazy how doubts and negativity from others can put a damper on our aspirations? The opinions of friends, family, and colleagues can be surprisingly heavy. Even well-intentioned criticism can plant seeds of self-doubt and then there's this ever-present fear of disapproval or letting others down. It can lead us to put our dreams on the back burner, prioritizing other people's expectations over our own ambitions.
External skepticism often chips away at our self-confidence, making us question our abilities and second-guess our dreams, but I learned to navigate this terrain by taking these steps:
Surround Yourself with Supporters: Seek out individuals who believe in your dreams, understand your vision, and can offer unwavering encouragement. Listen, having authentic connections that are not based off of superficial shit like birthday posts, instagram likes and popularity is truly a luxury. Surround yourself with some REAL ones who aren’t screenshotting your posts and sending them to their miserable friends and talking shit. L0L. That got a little too real didn’t it? Let me scale it on back. My bad.
Confidence-Building: Work on strengthening your self-confidence by setting achievable goals and celebrating even the smallest victories. When you truly believe in yourself, external skepticism loses its power.
Stay True to Your Vision: Remember that your dreams are uniquely yours, and you're pursuing them for your happiness and fulfillment, not to meet someone else's expectations. Don’t concern yourself with what people are going to think or say.
Once you have overcome the self sabotage, it’s time to step out on faith. Stepping out on faith is a profound act of self-belief and courage. It's the moment when you decide to pursue your dreams, even in the face of uncertainty, doubt, and external skepticism. It's about having the audacity to trust in your abilities, vision, and the belief that the unknown is not a place of peril but a realm of boundless opportunities. Stepping out on faith is an acknowledgment that growth and transformation occur outside our comfort zones. It's a leap into the vast sea of possibilities, a declaration that your dreams are worth the risks, and a commitment to embrace the journey, even when the path forward isn't entirely clear. It's in these bold steps that we often discover our true potential and the extraordinary heights we can reach when we dare to chase our aspirations with unwavering faith.
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I ever received came from my First Sergeant (for those not familiar with military terms, think of them as your Operations Manager in the corporate world). He said to me, "To truly grow, you must be willing to venture beyond your comfort zone. Staying within the confines of what you know might bring contentment, but if you're aiming for real progress, you'll need to embrace a bit of discomfort." Those words have left an indelible mark on my life, shaping my perspective on stepping out on faith and pursuing my dreams. I want to challenge you reading this to really get out of your comfort zone and go for what you want. These people who literally have no significance in your existence in this world do not matter. At the end of the day, you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and be proud of what’s reflecting back.
Transparent Moment: I've navigated through some incredibly challenging experiences, the kind of darkness that's almost too much to bear. Through therapy, I managed to heal and regain my strength. One of my lifelong dreams was to write a book, so I took the journal prompts from my therapy sessions and transformed them into a powerful short story. Opening up about that part of my life was incredibly daunting. Most of those who support and read my story are people I know and love. I couldn't help but wonder if they would perceive me differently, question the authenticity of my story, or how my family would react. But you know what? None of these individuals were there with me when I was facing those struggles, nor were they by my side during my therapy sessions. They don't share my daily life experiences. So, why did I allow their opinions to weigh me down? That's when I decided to cast aside those concerns and take a leap of faith. The support I've received has been overwhelming, to say the least. Deep down, I find it challenging to accept such love, and I'm planning to explore those feelings with my therapist, but imagine if I had really let what others think keep me from achieving a goal that I set years ago. I would be just as miserable as the people who sit around and judge and talk shit about the next person, right?
I've come to realize that stepping out on faith and pursuing my dreams have been transformative in ways I couldn't have anticipated. It's a testament to the incredible power of vulnerability and authenticity. When we unshackle ourselves from the expectations and judgments of others, we set ourselves free to reach new heights.
The opinions of those who were not with me through the darkest hours hold no bearing on my worth or the authenticity of my story. They were not present when I courageously confronted my own demons, and their judgments should not define my narrative.
I encourage you, too, to reflect on your own journey and those dreams you may have kept hidden for fear of judgment. Consider the incredible support that might be waiting for you just beyond the threshold of vulnerability. Embrace the unknown, and remember that your journey is yours alone, and your dreams are worthy of pursuit. Stepping out on faith can lead to remarkable transformations, and it's a journey well worth taking.
