When the Next Step is Enough

Navigate Change Framework™

Design Your Change | Part 2

One of the greatest obstacles to moving forward in transition isn't a lack of opportunity. It's our desire for certainty. We tell ourselves:

"Once I know the right decision, then I'll move."

"Once I know how everything will work out, then I'll commit."

"Once I feel completely confident, then I'll take the first step."

But transition seasons rarely unfold that way.

In the last post, we explored the idea that clarity isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. As we begin to design what's next, many of us discover that we're still waiting for one thing before we move forward: more certainty. The challenge is that certainty is often a poor prerequisite for faith.

When God called Abraham, He didn't hand him a map. He simply said, "Go from your country... to the land I will show you." (Genesis 12:1)

Notice the language. Not "the land I have already shown you." Rather…"the land I will show you."

God's guidance unfolded as Abraham walked. I've found that to be true in my own life as well.

In 1996, my wife and I made one of the biggest decisions of our lives. We sensed God inviting us to leave what was familiar and move our young family to Central Asia. By no means did we have complete clarity. But we had enough. Enough conviction to believe God was opening a door. Enough confirmation from trusted people. Enough faith to take the next step.

We had no idea where that single decision would eventually lead. What began with one step unfolded into sixteen years serving in Central Asia, followed by three more years in Turkey.

Looking back now, it's obvious that God was writing a much bigger story than we could see at the time. But we couldn't see that story in 1996. We could only see the next faithful step.

I remember sharing Abraham's story with friends and family as we prepared to leave. In many ways, I was trying to process our own decision. But I was also inviting others to release the myth that faith always begins with certainty. That sometimes faith begins with enough clarity to say yes. Not yes to the entire future. Just yes to the next step.

Perhaps that's where you find yourself today. Maybe you're considering a career change. A move. Retirement. A ministry opportunity. Starting something new.

You may not know how the story ends. You may not even know where the next six months will lead. But perhaps you know enough to take one faithful step.

Sometimes the next step isn't about reaching a destination. Sometimes it's about discovering something you couldn't have learned by standing still. That's why, in coaching, I often encourage people to think in terms of experiments rather than permanent commitments.

When we're humble about our own assumptions, experiments can create space for learning. They allow us to explore without believing every decision must define the rest of our lives.

One conversation. One informational interview. One volunteer opportunity. One class. One small act of obedience. Each one becomes another opportunity to notice how God is leading. The goal isn't to eliminate uncertainty. The goal is to become the kind of person who can walk faithfully without needing to see the entire road ahead.

Responding to the Invitation

This week, instead of asking, "What decision do I need to make?" Try asking, "What is the next faithful step God may be inviting me to take?"

Choose one action that aligns with what has already become clear. Have the conversation. Explore the opportunity. Take the class. Visit the place. Ask the question.

Then pay attention. Notice where God brings peace. Notice where He stretches your faith. Notice what new clarity emerges because you were willing to take one faithful step.

-Tim

P.S. If you're standing at one of those crossroads where the future feels both exciting and uncertain, I'd love to encourage you. Some of the most meaningful coaching conversations happen when people have enough clarity to move—but would value a trusted companion to help them walk wisely, faithfully, and without the pressure of having everything figured out.

Risk, Uncertainty, and Perfectionism

Perfectionism. It tends to demand an unreasonable amount of preparedness, of getting our ducks in a row before stepping into something new. It can paralyze us completely or radically slow us down, especially in big transition seasons. I know because I’ve been there. Ok, I am there!

My most recent transition to full time coaching has held a fair amount of risk and uncertainty. Combine that with a strong desire to get it right the first time...well, you can see where I’m going.

If you have perfectionist tendencies coupled with being in a season of risk and uncertainty, here’s 2 tips to get you unstuck and moving forward...

1.    AVOID OVER-PREPARATION

Perfectionism left unchecked can hinder creativity and discovery. When we’re not feeling ready do something with excellence, we might avoid it altogether by leaning into a thousand other distractions. I’ve been successfully overcoming this pattern by NOT over-preparing and over-thinking certain areas of focus. For example, while I may be tempted to script a podcast conversation, I’ll choose not to. By resisting the urge to over-prepare and stifle creativity, I’m allowing for a more natural, free-flowing conversation.

We can never be fully prepared in uncharted territory. Transition to the new and unfamiliar must leave margin for mistakes and do-overs. The Spirit’s creative work is released into our lives when we acknowledge we don’t have all the answers.

2.    TAKE NOTICE MORE OFTEN

“Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” - Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

Cultivating an awareness of Gods presence with us throughout transition seasons is what sustains us through the uncertainty, calming our nerves and giving us courage. A regular practice of pausing and taking notice gets to the heart of what God wants...relationship. It also moves our focus away from perfection and performance. I like how this coach and author puts it....

“I discovered that Jesus was more interested in whether we did things together than if I did things right. And without even focusing on change, I changed—dramatically.” 

- Tony Stoltzfus, The Invitation

Some final thoughts...

The perfectionist in us can go to extremes. We may react by trying to predict possibilities and control outcomes. Or, we might simply stop engaging because it feels too hard to get it right. There’s a better, more balanced approach to navigating change. By avoiding over-preparation and taking notice more often I try to keep myself in the creative discovery zone of transition. What other practices have helped you?

Transition seasons have been called the messy middle. The upheaval is disturbing and unsettling. But don’t let the uncertainty be the only thing you see. Explore the possibilities. Discover the new.

Journey into discovery by scheduling a call with me HERE.

“When a yes is inspired by God’s timing and spoken in submission to God’s will, the servant is guarded and the Giver is glorified.” - Alicia Britt Chole, The Sacred Slow