Did you know that only 1.7% of the population finishes projects?
It seems we have an incredible knack for starting things, yet a propensity to never see them through.
What is so difficult about finishing?
We never feel comfortable shipping our work – calling it complete. We are practicioners of procrastination.
Test yourself.
Remember the last time you shared what you were working on? What happened before you showed the world?
It probably sounded something like this:
- “I wrote this in 5 minutes”
- “This isn’t done yet, so…”
- “This is only a rough draft”
- “I’m not sure I really like this, but here we go”
- “I really like the two words in the verse, but the chorus kinda sucks”
You try to lower everyone’s expectations before you share, in case they don’t like it. If they aren’t impressed, you’re off the hook.
Forget Qualifications
It’s possible that you don’t feel qualified for what you want to do. So you wait. You wait until you’re smarter or wiser or have more experience or until God tells you to do something.
The problem is…who knows when that time comes? That moment is a mirage. And the moment you feel qualified is probably the moment you’re not.
The fear of man holds too much sway. We’re crippled by a sense of competition. We’re scared.
I don’t feel qualified to write this blog…or write a book…or mentor other leaders…or lead worship…or even be a husband. I feel in over my head quite often. And I think that’s wonderful.
Wonderfully scary.
What about you?
I want my faith to be so audacious, my action so constant, my dependence on the Holy Spirit so real that I’m constantly in over my head.
A Simple Project
Let’s try an experiment.
We all have dreams, projects, and visions we try and forget because of how daunting they are. Or because we don’t know what to do with them.
Can we help each other today?
This project will involve 3 simple steps.
- In the comments of this post, write down what you want to do with your life that scares the crap out of you. The only qualifier is that it has to be something that influences others…something that makes a difference…and, like I said, scares the crap out of you. It doesn’t count if you can do this without fear.
- Then write one action step you can take this weekend to get started. It doesn’t have to be an incredible amount of work. Just something to get moving.
- As the comments grow, write an encouraging reply on someone else’s comment. It doesn’t have to be today, but sometime in the next week, take a minute to encourage someone else in their dream. It’s good for you…and for them.
This isn’t just a ploy to get more comments. That’s a stupid idea. I believe blogs are better when we engage and encourage and take action.
That’s one of my dreams for this blog.
And, because I seriously love chatting with you all.
Maybe you’ve been reading this blog for a while and have never left a comment. No pressure ;), but today might be a great day to start.
I’ll share in the comments as well. Here. we. go.
Kind of Scary..but here I go….I want to write a worship song that will bless people tremendously :/ It scares me.
This weekend I will purposively set time apart to get all the pieces and sentences I’ve wrote so far and go for it….
Amazing! Have you written a worship song before?
Nop. never. But my husband has (22 songs)It crazy
Awesome, keep us posted! My thoughts and prayers will be with you. God has a purpose for us all…a willing heart is the most crucial ingredient.
I want to write my first book. My action step is really to finalize it and release it on the blog next week. I just need to go for it!
WE NEED YOUR WISDOM AND REVELATION! please do.
I, too, want to write a book. Just have too many blasted ideas running around in my head. Looking forward to your book!
What are a couple of your ideas?
I have a deep conviction to organise a night of worship in my city to lift the name of the Lord. I am scared because it looks and feels bigger than me. This weekend, I will approach individuals that love worship and who it is all about to share my convictions and ideas. I pray God will prepare the way for me.
Shola, that is amazing. I believe you can do this. I organized a large night of worship not too long ago between a few different churches and it turned out really well. I’m praying God’s favor on you!
I will praying door will be opened and that you have peace as you seek to bring God glory. I know God is bigger than all our giants! He is the same God who helped David, he hasn’t changed. He is the Great I AM!
I pray for the HOLY GHOST hookups! Also, I pray that people would approach you about this as a sign that God wants to do it!
Shola – this is beautiful and brave and holy smokes! It will be AWESOME. You can do it…you know what has been written on your hear to do. The amazing part is that if you are obedient and offer it up to God, then He will turn around and bless the risk you take. I can’t wait to hear what happens next!
I’ve been contemplating writing a book about the ups and downs, the valleys and hopes of dealing with mental illness in my family. I’m scared about writing it, because it will bring up some deep wounds and scars from the past. I believe my next step would be to start intentionally writing in my journal about the specifics related to my experience.
Wow, Jon, that sounds amazing. I can think of numerous people I know who would really benefit from a book like this. Keep us updated on the process!
Guess what…The LORD is at work in your life!
I really think as those things began to rise in your life God will begin to heal them! Not only great book will come of this but a healed heart!
Jon, A book like that can bring healing to you and so many others! I wrote a journal during my fathers battle with cancer, I cared for him till he passed. Journaling helped me tremendously and I’m sure it will help you as well. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
God’s been pushing and pushing me to start an idea that came to me months ago…but im so afraid of failure and financial insecurity that im hesitant. Today im taking my first step and meeting with a web designer and graphic artist. Although im still afraid of failure, i realize i need to just take one step at a time…by the way david. Ive been reading your blog every day for a long time. I never commented yet but keep up what you are doing. A lot of blogs have come and gone in my life but yours has stuck. Keep blessing people…heck, i would definitely buy your book 🙂
Jonathan, I’m so glad you commented 😉 It’s great to meet you. Sounds like you are working on a website?
And thanks for the encouragement, man. Really means a lot to have such dedicated readers. I’m humbled.
And this particular e-book will be free! Yay for free stuff!
Jonathan, I know how difficult it can be to step out in faith, I will be praying you have wisdom in this endeavor and that the peace of God will guide you along the way. Just remember fear is from Satan, he wants to steal our joy and keep us down. There is power in our thoughts and words. Keep your focus on Christ, speak scriptures/sing Christian songs when you get nervous/worry and it will help chase Satan away.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and he that loves it will eat from its fruit’ Proverbs 18:21
The place where you are putting yourself which is (RISK)is the perfect place God is looking for to do(BIG MIRACLES)I pray for Finacial blessings over you and your family and right now I pray that God would began to move in your behalf and give you a boldness like Peter had in Acts!
For years I wrote, but kept the words God spoke through me to myself. This past year I have endeavored to branch out, to trust God and to allow my book(s) to be published. I haven’t gotten anything published yet and I am searching for an agent to take a chance on this first time novelist.
Each time I send out a query letter my stomach is in knots and with each rejection I have to remind myself that God is in control and it will work out in his timing-not mine. I also have to remind myself that if I had instant success I wouldn’t appreicate it as much, I have to work and trust God, I have to allow my faith to grow.
All of this scares me, what if I never get published? What if no one likes it? What if, what if, what if…Thank God He is BIGGER than all our What if’s!!!
I’m praying for you! Really..I can’t wait to see what God will do through that book!And I’m also praying that instead of thinking what if it doesn’t work I pray that you will begin to ask What if it does? What if it not only gets published but translated into various languages. What if it becomes #1 top seller. Wow..
Wow, Khamille, your words gave me goose bumps! Thanks so much!!!
God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but one of love, of discipline, sound mind and self control. Fan this flame that began with the laying on of hands-when you were commissioned (did I get that one correct & complete? – scripture from Timothy I think)
Mercy and grace, and sight to all. Know him well! It is so encouraging to read these posts of what is rising up for action and engagement. I sometimes forget that when I fail or have trouble accomplishing, it means I AM DOING something, and I may be very close to LEARNING or OVERCOMING in the challenge or obstacle of it.
I want to get to better know a young man and his sister who are parking at my home. Found out they are from Liberia and he wants to go home to help his people there, even though both their parents died in the civil wars 15 years ago, they were adopted to the US and abused, and where they come from 85% of the population is below poverty. He is interested in business and nursing and wants to know more about the work some christian orgs are doing with orphanages world wide.
And I have been impressed that our family should get passports, even though we do not have an immediate need, several things in encounters with people recently have come up to point this direction.
I will not dread or fear or manipulate it, but I will start by finding out this weekend what it takes to get a somewhat disorganized family of five passports for travel and look at it with my husband. And I will call this young man who has welcomed us to speak with him some more before Monday.
I started out and already made my software for worship leaders/musicians available – it is functional but still needs a lot of work – you can download the demo from http://chordswift.com – There are many features I would like to add but I am hesitant, not knowing if it will be ‘up to standard’ to the rest of the world!
This weekend I will focus on getting the latest feature going – uploading and downloading from the server.
Dude, this is awesome. Can’t wait to check this out.
This blog post and the hearts of the brave readers blesses me. I’ve got so many ideas running around in my head that scare me and make me feel brave all at the same time – I’m living in scavery. lol
Obviously the Sacred Misfit is an intensely vulnerable dream of mine. I’m already doing it though…so I’m not sure it counts.
I think the other thing I that has been on my heart for a while is a desire to speak…not just write about what has happened and the freedom I experience but to speak on it. I have a speaking engagement early next year and I am all scavery because of it. But you know…if you aren’t living on the edge, you are taking up too much room. 🙂
I kinda do this thing a lot – have a dream and then go after it. I feel scared but called. I’d like to share what I say inside to up my courage:
Sarah – this is what you have been born to do.
This thing? This thing that you are so scared of and excited about at the same time?
You need to know – when you do it, it brings God pleasure. He actually nudges the angels and says, “Look at her! Look what she is doing! I made that!! I put that dream in her heart!”
🙂
When you feel scared, don’t shrink. Stand your sacred ground and wait on the Lord. He will bring you up on the wings of eagles.
Sarah, I don’t know how I missed this comment. But I love what you’re doing. If your speaking is anything like your writing, I’m sure it’s a grand slam. How has it been going? Any new speaking engagements?
I have so many things i want to do. I want to start my own design firm. I want to start my own t shirt company that gives proceeds to different charities/causes. I want to be a musician/songwriter that brings people into the tangible presence/kindness of God that brings about permanent change. I want to see revival.
It scares the poo out of me. I dont ever feel like Im qualified enough. Especially when it comes to music. I mean I look at people like Hillsong, Jesus Culture, JMM, Bethel and they are all so…. GOOD. Its like, how do I compare. But since that is my biggest passion, I believe if I get over the fear, the other wants and desires will just fall into place.
My action step this week will be to sit down and write one song a day. Even if I think its bad. But, since I do that all the time, i am actually going to sing those songs in front of people. Whenever I lead worship or have small gigs, I pretty much just sing covers. NEVER my own material. So, I guess its time to bite the bullet and “git er done.”
Brittany, you inspire me! This is fantastic and I think your action step is great. Start doing your own material and do it often! And don’t apologize! Let us know how it goes.
should i not have said poo? lol. in re reading my post it sounded a bit harsh. lol.
im hoping 2012 will be amazing.