As I write this column, it is exactly four years since I left the corporate world after 35 years and embarked on starting my own business. I left a known salary with benefits for total uncertainty. I had no clients, but I had a message to share and a book to write.
Four years later, it’s still a work in progress. The business plan has changed several times, and the approach is quite different today than it was four years ago.
I have spoken to or met with just over 24,000 people across the country. There have been large in-person group settings, small groups over a zoom format, and many individual conversations over the phone. All were and are aimed at supporting people’s development and elevating organizational performance.
However, the underlying purpose is found in a simple Bible verse.
Matthew 5:16: “To let my light shine before others, so that they may see good works and glorify God.”
Flying home last week on that last late-night flight into Monroe, I had plenty of time to think about that purpose. The first two parts of that verse are natural and comfortable for me.
I use my gifts and experiences to impact people and let that “light” shine. If I am successful in connecting with them and providing them insights that they can relate to and act upon, they will not only see the “good works” but benefit from it.
It’s that last part of that verse that I must remember to take the next step.
You see, I can let my light shine, have others see good works, and:
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provide me with applause at the end
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provide a referral for more business
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tell me I was great, and they want me to come back
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tell me how impacted they were by our time together
Now, none of those things are inherently bad, but that’s not the purpose, and not how the verse ends.
I don’t want them to just see an effective communicator helping them reach their potential, but rather I want them to see God working through me and to be so impacted that they are drawn to that type of relationship as well – to their next step.
To connect with the last part of that verse, I must be intentional, creative, honest, vulnerable, and be willing to take some risk. Not only is there great uncertainty about where my next client will come from, there is always great uncertainty in how people respond.
Where are you currently dealing with uncertainty in your life?
Are you holding on tight, and know that you need to let go, but the uncertainty of the future is causing fear? Is fear crippling your future?
Is a predictable “known” keeping you from and uncertain but potentially exciting “new”?
I don’t know your story or your situation, but I encourage you not to let fear rule your life. There are many Bible verses on fear, but one of my favorite ones is Joshua 1:9.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Fear, discouragement, and uncertainty often keep us from great experiences.
Take your next step and embrace that “unknown” in your life!
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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