How to have the courage to take risks, stay motivated, and plan for personal growth in your business 

I love this quote from C.S. Lewis. It says, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” 

Courage is external, courage is action, courage is what you need to get unstuck and move forward in your business. Every day God is calling you to do many things in your business that take courage.

We’ll look at three things to get you unstuck and growing as a person, growing your business, and taking courage.

They are:

1. Your willingness to take risks
2. Your motivation level, and
3. Your personal growth plan

A lot of times we come to this entrepreneurial life without a thought about what it is going to take. You may be thinking, “Well, God gave me this idea, so everything will just work out.”

Is this how you’ve been approaching your business? 

Are you now stuck? Trapped in trying to make your next decision? Scared you really don’t have what it takes?

Three things to get you unstuck and have the courage to take risks

We’re going to also look at 3 actions you can take right now to have the courage to take risks you need every day to do what God is calling you to do in your business.

• To have the courage to take risks
• To have the courage to stay motivated
• To have the courage to create a personal growth plan

Before I get into this, I want to tell you about my new Workbook, 8-Steps to Creating Your Perfect God-Centered Business. This workbook is not just a guide; it’s a roadmap to infuse your business with purpose and focus. Whether you’re just starting or have been on this journey for a while, these 8 steps will bring clarity, direction, and renewed motivation to do what God is calling you to do.

Courage to take risks

Let’s start with one of the reasons you aren’t having the courage to take the risks you know you need to take to do what God is calling you to do. Simply put, it is in your personality.

God has designed you in such a way that lends itself to you being a risk-taker or not. You may not want to hear that as an entrepreneur because risk-taking is a huge part of entrepreneurship.

One of the personality assessments I use with my clients is the MBTI (Myers-Briggs). I have used this assessment in my educational career and now in coaching. While it is not set up for risk aversion, we can definitely see that there are some personalities more willing to take risks than others.

Let’s do a little self-assessment:

How would you answer these questions?

1. What is my tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity?

• Consider how comfortable you are with not having all the information or guarantees before making a decision in your business.
• Are you someone who prefers a clear and detailed plan before taking action, or are you more open to adapting and navigating uncertainties?

2. How do I view failure and setbacks?

• Reflect on your attitude towards failure. Do you see setbacks as learning opportunities and a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey, or do they significantly impact your motivation and confidence?
• Understanding your perspective on failure can provide insights into your willingness to take calculated risks.

3. Am I open to exploring new ideas and approaches?

• Assess your openness to innovation and change within your business. Are you receptive to exploring new strategies, technologies, or markets, even if they involve a level of uncertainty?
• Your willingness to embrace new ideas can indicate your comfort level with taking risks to drive growth and adapt to evolving circumstances.

Where did you land? Do you have a high or low tolerance for uncertainty and doubt? Do you see failure as a setback or an opportunity to learn? Do you like innovation and new ideas or like to stick with what you know?

Let me know in the comments how you scored yourself. It can be a sliding scale, you don’t have to be all on one side or the other. Just be honest.

Entrepreneurship is full of risk

No worries here. Though entrepreneurship is full of risk, if God has called you than there is a way to figure out ‘your way’ to make the business work.

I love what Proverbs 20:24 says, The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

The way I see it, if God has called you into business, into something outside yourself, then He really is using it to say, “Do you trust Me?”

What action can you take? One way to get started is to:

1. Identify a Low-Stakes Opportunity.

• Look for a small, manageable aspect of your business where you can experiment with a calculated risk. This could be trying a new marketing strategy, introducing a new product feature, or testing a different pricing model.
• One of the things I am doing right now is experimenting with the videos on my channel. In fact, the reason I am coming LIVE today is a new strategy I am working on.

2. Next, Set Clear Objectives and Metrics.

• Clearly define what success looks like for the risk you’re taking. Establish measurable objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you evaluate the outcomes. Having specific goals will provide a structured way to assess the impact of the risk.
• My KPI for this video strategy is the growth rate for my channel. Have you subscribed? Now would be a great time for you to do so and make sure to ring the bell so you know when a new video comes out.

3. Okay third is to Gather Information and Research.

• Equip yourself with relevant information and research to make an informed decision. Understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the chosen risk. Having a solid understanding of the context can increase your confidence in taking the leap.

4. Then, Develop a Contingency Plan.

• Create a plan to address those potential challenges or setbacks. Think ahead to what could potentially go wrong and make a plan for it.
• Knowing that you have a plan in place to manage unexpected outcomes can reduce anxiety and make the risk-taking process feel more controlled.
• Always make a back-up plan. I use the approach that has served me and my clients well, Try-Adjust-Try Again.

5. Also Seek Feedback and Advice.

• Consult with mentors, industry experts, or trusted colleagues to gain insights and perspectives. This is exactly what we have in place in the Calling Clarity Community because by hearing from others who have faced similar situations, it  provides valuable guidance and help you alleviate concerns.
• Through masterminding, feedback opportunities, and learning, our community has the resources and the people to help you gain courage.

Courage to stay motivated

Motivation means actually doing the work. If God is using business to make you more like His Son then taking action is key. This means doing the internal work, with Him, to know not only what He wants you to do but how you can do it best.

Only when you have the right view of what God is doing in your life will you have the courage to take risks and find the motivation to continue, especially when it is hard (and it will be hard).

The biggest symptom I see for lack of motivation is procrastination. This usually stems from not finding meaning and satisfaction in the tasks you are doing for your business. When there’s a disconnect between personal values and the work to be done, you may struggle to initiate or complete tasks.

Does this sound like you, a little?

Factors that can contribute to procrastination

Here are a few factors that can contribute to procrastination and therefore no motivation.

1. Having Unclear Goals or Priorities.

• If you are unclear about your business goals or lack a clear sense of priority, it may be challenging to focus on specific tasks.
• Procrastination can be a symptom of not having a well-defined roadmap or a sense of direction, making it difficult to muster the motivation to tackle essential business activities.

2. Your tasks seem Overwhelming.

• Procrastination often occurs when tasks seem too big or too challenging. This causes a lack of motivation to start a task if you perceive it as too complex or if you are uncertain about how to approach it.
• Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps will help ease this issue.
• When working with my clients we look to overcome these obstacles by giving you a strategy for breaking down goals into tasks that can be done step by step.

3. It is also a Fear of Failure or Perfectionism.

• Fear of failure or a desire for perfection can hinder motivation and contribute to procrastination. If you are overly concerned about making mistakes or not meeting high standards, you may delay taking action and not have the courage to take risks.
• Addressing perfectionism and fostering a growth mindset can help alleviate these motivational barriers.

4. External Distractions.

• External distractions, such as social media, excessive meetings, or other non-essential activities, can divert attention from important tasks, contributing to procrastination.
• The enemy loves to distract us with even ‘good’ things that just fill up our time and leave no energy or motivation to do what we are called to do.
• A lack of motivation to stay focused on critical business activities may result from these distractions, hindering productivity and making you feel like giving up.

So here is a great idea for staying motivated (and reducing procrastination)!

Two-minute rule

Implement the “Two-Minute Rule.” This rule is a concept introduced by productivity expert David Allen in his book “Getting Things Done.” The idea is simple:

If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately.

This rule works on the principle that many tasks that contribute to your business’s success are small and manageable. By addressing them immediately, you prevent them from piling up and becoming overwhelming. Here’s how you can apply the Two-Minute Rule:

1. Identify Small Tasks.

• Keep a list of small tasks that take two minutes or less to complete. These can include responding to emails, making quick phone calls, or jotting down ideas.

2. Tackle Immediately.

• When you come across a task that fits the two-minute criterion, tackle it right away. Avoid the temptation to postpone it, as this helps prevent the accumulation of small tasks that can contribute to procrastination.

3. Build Momentum.

• Completing these quick tasks creates a sense of accomplishment and builds momentum. It reinforces a proactive mindset and can positively influence your motivation to tackle more significant tasks.

4. Create a Habit.

• Make the Two-Minute Rule a habit by consistently applying it throughout your workday. Over time, it can become a powerful tool for maintaining productivity and reducing procrastination.

By focusing on quick wins and addressing small tasks immediately, you create a positive work environment for yourself that can enhance your motivation and reduce the likelihood of procrastination.

Inside the Calling Clarity Community, I talk a lot about building habits around tasks you need to do everyday in your business. Whether it takes two minutes, 15 minutes, 25 or 50, you can build your motivation by being a part of a group dedicated to strengthening your motivation and working your business more consistently.

I love what Paul says In Philippians 1:6, And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

God’s ‘good work’ in you is to make you like His Son, Jesus. And He is using your business to do that work.

Courage for personal growth

Our last topic around having the courage to take risks today is that of personal growth.

As an entrepreneur there is an unwritten rule, you must keep learning. There is no way around this because we just don’t know what we just don’t know.

Simon Sinek says, “you must find your skill set and use it”. I like saying, “you must know God’s design of you and use it for His glory”.

This is the first step in learning to be an entrepreneur, knowing you and your capabilities. But what often happens is that we lack courage to step outside our comfort zones.

What are your current thoughts on personal growth?

Use these questions to do a little self-evaluation.

1. What areas of my life do I feel the strongest desire for improvement or change, and why?

• Reflecting on specific aspects of your life where you feel a yearning for growth allows you to identify key priorities. Understanding the reasons behind these desires can provide insights into your values, aspirations, and the motivations driving your pursuit of personal development.

2. In what ways have I embraced challenges or stepped outside my comfort zone recently? How did these experiences contribute to my personal growth?

• Consider moments when you intentionally challenged yourself or faced situations that pushed your boundaries. Reflect on the lessons learned, skills gained, or perspectives developed through these experiences.
• Acknowledging and understanding the impact of stepping outside your comfort zone can reveal valuable insights about your capacity for growth.

3. What habits or thought patterns have I identified as obstacles to my personal growth, and how am I actively working to overcome them?

• Reflect on any recurring habits, beliefs, or thought patterns that you recognize as hindrances to your personal development. Ask yourself how these elements may be holding you back and what steps you are taking to address or change them.
• Developing self-awareness around obstacles allows you to create intentional strategies for personal growth.

The best way to get the support you need to grow personally is to have a community where others are supporting, encouraging, and cheering for you so you can tailor your approach to personal growth.

Remember that personal growth is a gradual process, and everyone’s journey is unique. It’s essential to be patient with yourself and stay committed to the ongoing development of your skills, mindset, and overall well-being.

Things you can do to have the courage to take risks

Some of the things we have already talked about are applicable here too:

1. Setting clear and specific goals
2. Cultivating a growth mindset
3. Building beneficial habits

Other things you can do to help yourself on your entrepreneurial journey is to:

• Surround Yourself with Positive Influences– a.k.a., the leadership and members of the Calling Clarity Community
• Emphasize Continuous Learning– Actively pursue learning opportunities, whether through reading, workshops, online courses, and/or self-directed study. Expanding your knowledge and acquiring new skills can contribute significantly to personal growth. (We have it all in the community.)
• Embrace Challenges and Step Outside Your Comfort Zone– Challenge yourself by taking on tasks or projects that push you beyond your comfort zone. Facing challenges and having the courage to take risks fosters resilience, builds confidence, and provides valuable learning experiences.

You are not alone my Wise Woman. We are here to help you to become who God has called you to be in your business.

Ezra 10:4 says this. . . Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act.

It is a great reminder that when we know what to do it is then our responsibility to be courageous and take action. It also tells us we are not alone- We have God and we have one another.

Let me know down in the comments your takeaways. What are you going to do to have the courage to take risks, stay motivated, and grow personally?