When you don’t know what to do

The other day I was at church and suddenly I found the answer to something I’d been searching for. It sounds silly but I really want to start a newsletter — one that includes updates on my life // recipes // nutrition tips // music recommendations // a bible verse. And in that moment I had a vision of what it could look like. So I was really excited and wrote it all down in a note on my phone. I mean I was REALLY excited. I finally knew what I wanted to share. I was ready.

That was 4 weeks ago. And where have I gone? Ummmm…. kinda right back here.

Have you ever had an idea // a calling // a passion –and that’s it. That’s all it is (right now). So you (or maybe just me) think about it and write things down, but it takes a while for you to actually DO anything about it?

Yeah, same.

I believe there are 3 reasons we stop dead in our tracks, despite knowing we have an awesome idea.

1] We’re filled with fear.

Is this really a good idea? Will other people like it? What if it doesn’t work out? What if it starts off well, but I can’t fulfill it to the level I want to? Stop. You have a great idea. You are filled with excitement, creativity, and passion. Others see that and they admire it [and if they don’t, that’s okay!]. Do this because you believe in it and you want to share it with others. You will never receive validation from everyone, so it’s best you let go of that expectation now. [A message to myself, too.]

2] We feel overwhelmed.

Okay so I want to get all the way to here, but I have to do a, b, c, d, e, and a billion and six other things. Oh, and I also I have no idea or resources or time. When this inner monologue begins for myself, I have to stop and ask myself: what other excuses am I going to come up with when I figure these out?

Truth is, you’re always going to have a to-do list. You’re always going to have pressure. It’s up to you [and me] to decide how we’re going to manage it and what we’re going to prioritize. You have exactly enough time for everything that matters to you. [Read that again because I know I need to.] Break your big tasks up into smaller ones. Start today, build tomorrow, and remember this doesn’t have a deadline. This project is with you for the rest of your life if you want it to be.

3] We are full of distractions.

See point 2. But also recognize that you don’t have to say yes to every opportunity that’s offered to you. That doesn’t make you a bad person. It just makes you [or me] the wrong person for the job. Set a regular meeting with yourself to decide what’s important to you and what’s not. Distractions are everywhere and if we’re not careful, we could waste an hour or more on our phones looking at cute puppy videos or Tasty recipes. [Or is that just me?]

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So today I want to tell you that despite the fear, the overwhelmed feeling, and the distractions, it’s okay to pick up where you left off. Maybe even start all over. But the important thing is that we do — even when we don’t know exactly what to do. We create small items to do daily that will get us a little closer to where we want to be. For me, that looks like making a newsletter template, collecting emails, narrowing down my category options, beginning to generate content and photos.

And the really cool thing is I don’t have to do it all today. And neither do you.

One of my favorite authors, Bob Goff (if you haven’t read Love Does, please do!) taught me something about doing when I don’t know what to do:

“Let me tell you what I do when I don’t know what to do to move my dreams down the road. I usually just try to figure out what the next step is and then do that. I know it sounds too simple, too formulaic; it seems like there must be more to it. But there isn’t. For most of us, that next step is as easy as picking up the phone, sending an e-mail, writing a letter, buying a plane ticket, or just showing up. After that, things start happening. Things that perhaps have God’s fingertips on them. You’ll know which ones do and which ones don’t. Pick the ones that do.”

What are you dreaming of but don’t know where to start? I bet if you took one small step toward that big, daunting dream, you’d realize you’re about to open a new door you thought didn’t exist [another message myself as well.]