I was in an improv class years ago during my days of pursuing acting and it was my turn to get up in front of the class and await my scene instructions. I nervously stood up taking the smallest steps possible to prolong the time, but within a few quick strides I was standing in front of the class with all eyes on me. With all the training and classes I had taken over the years, I never felt confident in my acting abilities. I always felt like I needed more training, more practice, and more confidence before I could go for the big roles I desired.
Once I was in front of the class, my acting teacher gave me my scene on the spot.
I wish I could say I immediately started acting out the scene, but that is not what happened.
Instead, I froze.
But wait until I tell you what my instructions were.
My instructions were to act out my morning routine.
SOMETHING I DID EVERYDAY, and I froze.
Pretty embarrassing, huh? I imagine my teacher must have seen the question marks and invisible wheels turning in my head, because she began to help a sister out.
She simply asked, “Tiffany what is the first thing you do in the morning?” As she went on to say, “Don’t overcomplicate it.” This simple question/statement allowed me to stop over thinking the entire process and it allowed me to focus on just the first step.
But then I did it again.
I thought to myself, I brush my teeth as soon as I get up. But then I got stuck again and did not know where to start. Once again, the teacher came to my rescue, saying, “what is the first thing you do in the morning?” Brush my teeth I replied. “Okay then what is the first step to brushing your teeth?”
Then it clicked.
I immediately started to act out the scene…I turned on the imaginary faucet. I grabbed my toothbrush. I got my toothpaste out of the invisible drawer and put the toothpaste on the toothbrush. I rinsed the toothbrush under the water briefly and then proceeded to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my face towel and ran it under the water, wrung out the excess water and began to wash my face.
Everything became easier and started to flow once I got started.
You may be thinking, why was that so hard? And I would have thought the same thing if I had been the one in the audience as opposed to being the one with all eyes on me.
But what I noticed is that the same feeling of “not knowing where to start” followed me into my life coaching business. It began to show up as self-sabotage and perfectionism giving me an excuse to stay stuck instead of figuring it out. It gave me an excuse to not do anything if I could not do it perfectly, because after all people were watching. However, the real culprit behind all of this was FEAR.
Can you relate to this?
Anyone who is brave enough to go after their dreams and get out of their comfort zone will feel this at times, but it is not an excuse to stay frozen.
In this example I was given instructions by my acting teacher and still was not sure what to do. So, imagine what would have happened if I would have had to produce my own scene on the spot. I believe this would have been even harder to do.
And this is what I find so many people are doing wrong. They are trying to figure out the scenes of their life on their own without any instructions. And they are stuck.
This is like getting hired for a principal role on a movie, only to go on set and toss the script to the side and decide to produce your own script. That would not work, would it?
This is what so many people do every day and they wonder why purpose seems to elude them.
Friend, if you are feeling stuck and are not sure of your purpose, the first thing you should do is pause and ask the “instructor” for help. God is the only one who can give you the instructions and the steps you need to take. He will help you figure out what to do and where to start if you ask.
Jeremiah 33:3 says, Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.
This is one of my favorite verses that I recite whenever I am feeling overwhelmed and stuck with what to do next.
Friend, as you begin to write your vision and make it plain this year, make sure you wait for your instructions as you call out to the Lord, for He will surely answer. And when He does… do not overthink it. Do not overcomplicate it. Simply take the first step and the rest of the steps will begin to flow.
Until next time,
Tiffany
Next Steps for the Oh So You Culture Community
I will be talking more about vision and purpose on the next Tuesdays with Tiffany happening this coming Tuesday, January 25th 8am EST. Please do not miss this. It’s going to be powerful. To join simply follow me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ohsoyoucoaching and save the date and time.
If you missed the very first, Tuesdays with Tiffany, you can check it out here: I revealed my word for 2022 and explained how embodying this word will change the trajectory of your life in 2022. If you are serious about changing your financial future check it out.
My, Sacred Side Hustle Signature Program, is open and now accepting applications. This program is for professional career women who are working in soul crushing careers and are desiring to shift into their spirit led calling. You can apply here.
P.S.S. My book Peace Stealers is still getting rave reviews. If you struggle with anxiety and you want to have more peace, this book will help you to do just that. It tackles 21 areas that steal your peace and contributes to anxiety. Click here to purchase. Also, if you have read the book, I would be so grateful if you left a review on amazon. It will help more people to know about the book and sharing is caring :)).