Category: Freedom

Fear Not.

Last month, I did something I never could see myself doing.

I long had wanted to do take action on a great opportunity but was hesitant to pull the trigger because I needed someone to join me.

In fact, I had everything planned out to jump and was waiting on the final word on whether or not this other person would be able to do it.

After the word came, I was perplexed. I would have to go at it alone. This was something I had not considered or made a plan to do.

Then it hit me. I was relying on the other person to give me the strength to go.

Without them I would have to dig deep and determine if I could indeed go solo. I wanted this. But I was scared. I hate to admit it, but I just did. And still am.

I have been listening to the Jocko Podcast recently, hosted by Jocko Willink, a former Navy Seal and all-around stud.

He recently said that the best way to deal with your fear is to step into it.

Are you afraid of something? Hit it head on. Fear may remain, but so will determination–determination to succeed in the face of that fear.

There is a reason that “fear not” is one of the most-repeated commands in the Bible: God is in control, He has this, and whatever happens, He is there to guide me through.

My wife and I decided that she needed to stay back stateside with our children, so I made the decision to jump on my own rather than not go. I bought the package to fly to Israel with some church friends without her and I was glad that I did. I felt emboldened and encouraged.

Is the fear still there? Yes. Is it reasonable? Maybe. Maybe not. But I am stepping out of my comfort zone and into that fear and hitting it head on.

What fear do you have, reasonable or not, that you can step into and confront head on? What action will you take to change your fear into determination?

Accountability is the Keystone of Discipline

Early last year, my wife and I launched Make Over Your Year. This goal-setting course was a deep dive into the process we use to set our own goals.

While writing the course, I was challenged to rethink the kind and number of goals that I set every year. Every year, I get over-ambitious and set so many that they become unrealistic or unattainable.

Instead, this year I limited my goals to four areas: Faith, Family, Finances and Fitness–four areas I need to concentrate on and develop better discipline in.

One thing I did this year that I had not done was set up accountability partners for my goals. This was, and still is, huge.

Why?

Because accountability helps us to stay focused and intentional. We no longer only have ourselves to report to. We have to justify sluffing off on what we once deemed important enough to commit to at the beginning of the year. If you can’t give a good reason for slacking, was it really something that was important to you or was it an expectation that was place on you by someone else? An accountability partner will give you the kick in the pants you need to stay the course.

The result for me has been that this year has been the best year so far in the goal-MEETING department.

This past month marked the half-way point for this year and so far, I have completed my financial goal (retirement savings), stayed reasonably faithful with my family goal (consistent family Bible time), killed my fitness goal (averaging 4 days a week in the gym instead of 2 or 3 a week last year), and am consistent with my faith goal (personal Bible times).

If you don’t have an accountability partner or product in place, I would highly encourage you to set one up. You may very well surprise yourself on how disciplined you can be!

Jumping In

I have wanted to start my site, JessePaine.com, for some time now, but I have always found a reason standing in the way–I didn’t have the domain, I didn’t have a honed-in area to focus on, I had other projects.

But yesterday, I had a conversation with my wife, who challenged me. Now, this should not be a surprise to those of you who know my wife, but what was surprising was that I took it and ran with it.

Her challenge? Just do something. Tomorrow. Gauntlet laid down.

So here is my response to her challenge: Accepted. #BoomDone.

My problem is that I am a dreamer, not a doer. But I want to be a man of action–who takes what is in front of me, what God has put on my heart, and what I do well–and encourage you with it. Challenge you as I have been challenged. Push you as I need pushing. Living life together. Messily–if that is a word.

I warn you, I like to plan and I like things to be done right. This thing may come together right or be neat and tidy. Or focused. Or grammatically correct. But it is me putting me out there for your benefit. For your encouragement.

If you are willing to come with me, I am ready to stop dangling my feet over the ledge and take the jump into the water. I have heard it is nice. I may be shivering in the end, but I want to see for myself.

Ready, set, JUMP!