From Observing to Engaging: How to Take Ownership of Your Life and Step Into Your God-Given Purpose
Are you on the bench or the field?
What is the difference between a football player on the bench and a player on the field? One is waiting for someone to put them in the game, and the other is playing the game—and hopefully moving the ball down the field.
Years ago, I found myself frustrated, feeling like I was on the sidelines at work. I was part of the team, I did my job well, and I knew my presence made a difference, but I was not thriving. I had gifts and talents I wanted to be using and wasn’t.
Moving from Passenger to Driver
In the first Monday Mindset, I told you the story about when I decided to move from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat of my life, and how it all started when a friend asked to meet with me for five minutes. He said,
“When I think of people with potential, I think of you.”
It was so nice to hear that someone else saw it too! Then he said,
“You are waiting for someone to figure out a great work fit for you. No one is going to do that for you. You are the only one who can figure this out.”
My honest response was, “Thank you.”
I realized that I had moved to the passenger seat and was waiting on others to direct me and find a place where I would thrive. I felt so stuck and would have remained there if my friend had not had the courage to speak to me about this.
That day, I changed my perspective and moved back into the driver’s seat. But moving back into the driver’s seat of your life is only half the battle.
Declaring Isn’t Enough
There’s a funny scene in The Office where Michael Scott is having money troubles and decides to declare bankruptcy. Not truly understanding how it’s done, he steps out of his office into the open workspace, pauses to assess everyone’s attention, and then, with a loud and determined voice, he yells, “I…declare…bankruptcy!” It’s a true Michael Scott moment.
It’s not enough to declare that you’ve moved into the driver’s seat. Once you’re there, you have to do something. You must put on your seatbelt, check your mirrors, and find the tune that fits the moment. You must start the car and put it in drive. You must press your foot on the gas, or this time next year, you’ll look up and find that you’re still sitting in the garage.
The Mindset Shift — From Observing to Engaging
My change happened over many years, and in many ways, I’m still changing! But along the way, most of the shifts have been in the way I think. (That’s why I started this email series.) One of the key mindset changes I made early on was deciding to stop observing and start engaging. I proceeded with caution, but I took steps in the direction I wanted my life to go.
Practically, I decided to exercise this new way of thinking by changing some of my behaviors at work. I knew I had value to add to the team, and I chose to put myself in the game.
Practical Ways I Got Back in the Game
Where I used to wait to be invited to meetings I wanted to attend, I decided that if I saw a way to participate, I would ask if I could attend.
Where I used to only listen and give no input, I decided to let my voice be heard by speaking up at least once in every meeting or gathering.
Where I would keep ideas to myself—thinking self-doubt thoughts like, “Someone has probably thought of this already,” or “They might think this is stupid”—I decided that even if that were true, playing the game is still better than sitting on the bench.
Where I often sat with the thought, “What if I never find my purposed work?” I chose to do everything with purpose: If I brought a problem, I also brought a solution. If I wanted to learn from someone, I asked for an hour of their time and took them to lunch. If I was passionate about certain topics, I made time to read books about them.
Bold Prayer and Trusting God’s Direction
The most important thing I did, however, was pray. I began to pray a bold prayer:
“Lord, please give me a work that is uniquely designed for my gifts and talents—something I will be passionate about and thrive in.”
Every day, I thought about purposed work that I would be passionate about. And I believe when something stirs daily, God wants our attention on it. I believe He is leading it, and there’s something there that He wants to do because He authored the desire in the first place. He wants us to ask Him about it and leave ourselves open and available for a conversation.
The Results of Engagement & My Encouragement for You
And do you know what happened? I made quicker and more confident decisions, I approached conflict instead of shying away from it, I felt better about saying “no” and let go of the pressure to prove myself, I started experiencing more joy, and I started dreaming about growth, opportunities, and purpose!
I didn’t want to sit on the bench any longer. I wanted to play in the game.
My hope is that you are thriving in every area of your life, but my guess is that there’s probably one area where you’ve moved to a passive posture, wishing for change. And now it’s my turn to encourage you by saying, “You are waiting for someone to figure this out for you, and no one is going to. You are the only one who can choose to engage and begin taking steps.”
5 Simple Steps to Get Back in the Game
Think about one area in your life where you really want to see movement.
This could be in a relationship, with God, in your finances, at work, in your community, a space in your home, your health, or a project started but not finished.List the reasons you’ve not moved forward.
Identify the current roadblocks.Next to each roadblock, come up with one way to move through it.
Start small with something that can be accomplished that day or that week.Answer the question, “What’s next?”
Choose the easiest next step from the list above.Get off the bench. Get back into the game!
As Nike would say, “Just do it.”
Momentum and God’s Promise
If nothing changes, your life will continue to feel unfulfilled. But if you begin taking steps, I guarantee that your life will change. One next step can unlock momentum, and momentum fuels each following step taken in the direction of something you really want. Momentum will bring you hope that what you want is possible long before you see it.
At Breakthrough To Purpose, we have a saying that we believe:
When we move, God moves!
God will direct us when we get up and start moving. He will direct our path; that’s His promise. Get engaged!
Take Your Next Step with God’s Design for Your Life
If this message stirred your desire to live with purpose, don’t ignore it. Especially if this isn’t the first time you’ve thought about this.
Our new course, God’s Design for Your Life, will guide you in discovering the work, rhythms, and direction God has prepared for you.
Take your next step today. Your purpose is too important to leave on the bench.
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