Dear Writer, I hope you were inspired by last week’s real-life parable of faith from Laurel Thomas! This week, we’re going to explore the marketing mindset of “choosing.”
You see, writer, it can be easy to be frozen by indecision when facing the plethora of marketing options available today. The sheer number of choices can feel overwhelming. This is why developing a mindset of choosing—the capacity to be decisive—is so important. It can help you keep moving forward, even when the path seems unclear.
But before we get started, let’s look at some others whose decisiveness played a key role in their life and legacy…
Choosing in History
Winston Churchill is a great example of a man who was decisive. Though his early political career was marked by what many perceived as disastrous choices, Churchill’s conviction and strength under fire prepared him to stand fearlessly against the overwhelming press of Nazism in World War II. Not only that, the strength of Churchill’s choices rallied Britain and the western world to stand with him. Without Churchill’s decisive mindset, the tide of history may have turned out very differently.
You see, writer, the process of growth in “choosing” often involves making several wrong decisions along the way. But here’s the thing: You cannot learn from a decision you never make. And, if we trust God is truly working out all things for our good, we can know He is leveraging even our worst decisions to grow us and our story.
Choosing in the Bible
Nehemiah is another great example of a man who embraced choosing. When Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s desolation, he boldly sought the Lord for help and for an opportunity to act. When the King noticed Nehemiah’s sadness, Nehemiah courageously shared Jerusalem’s plight and sought blessing to restore the broken wall.
At the Kings gracious reply, Nehemiah set off to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. His mission soon came under attack from Israel’s enemies, but Nehemiah’s quick decision-making protected the Jewish workers and enabled the wall to be completed in a remarkable 52 days!
You see, writer, one key to developing a decisive mindset is to root ourselves deep in God’s heart. As we come to understand and rely upon His Word and ways, our wisdom and courage grow and enable us to take steps with confidence.
Choosing in Life
I first developed a mindset of choosing when I graduated from college. In that final year, I chose my first job, decided to marry Jared, and even decided to end a friendship. And here’s the interesting thing. The job—though definitely a Godsend—only lasted for a season. The marriage was clearly God-ordained. The friendship on the other hand, which I discovered had been mostly pretend, actually had taken on its first glimmer of being real the moment I ended it. Now here’s the thing…
As I made these choices, two things were happening. First, I was learning to discern the voice of God. I chose well in two out of three life-defining moments. Second, God was at work using each choice not only to sharpen my hearing but to shape my character.
Through these choices and those that followed, He’s equipped me to help others hear His voice as they make their own life-defining choices. And here’s the other thing…
Choosing in Your Life
While I was seeking God’s wisdom in varying degrees for each of these choices, I had to make the decision—to take the step—before I could truly learn from each one. You see, one lie of American culture is that if we learn enough ahead of time we will never make the wrong step.
God’s method, on the other hand, uses all our steps and missteps to train and teach us. Revealing who He is and His plans for us, as long as we trust and lean into Him through the process. Let me show you…
- The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
- Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21
- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5
You see, writer, developing a decisive mindset—our ability to choose with confidence—is critical to our marketing journey. Why? Because maturity is critical to reach those God asked us to.
You see, writer, developing a mindset of choosing is about learning to take responsibility for our choices even as we learn to partner with God more deeply in our growth process. As we learn to be decisive, it causes us to see the results of our choices more clearly.
As we see those results more clearly, we more easily recognize our needs and shortcomings. And we lean more fully into Him to rely on His wisdom. This creates a beautiful cycle of choosing, recognition, and reliance.
Where to Start with Choosing
So are you ready to develop a “choosing” mindset? Here are some ideas to get you started…
- Know Your Why. I’ve said this several times but it’s worth repeating! Knowing your why—your God-given call to write—is critical to developing your ability to choose. In fact, it’s critical to every part of your marketing journey! If you need help discovering or developing your why, please use this guide to help or visit these blog posts.
- Assess Your Options. Prayerfully assess your skills and talents, your audience, and the marketing options available. Ask God for wisdom to see where these three things intersect! When you begin to pinpoint where your skills, your audience, and your opportunities overlap, you’ll be able to create a plan. Sometimes God may ask you to take a step you don’t feel you are skilled to take. If He does, trust that He knows you, your book, and your audience better than you do.
- Create an Action Plan. Choose one or two actions to begin implementing immediately. Then break those goals into smaller steps you can schedule. It could be as simple as making a call to a friend with skills you need. Or a reaching out to a local vendor. Or learning to a piece of software. (Or a host of other small steps you could take!) The important thing is to find where you can start moving toward your goal today.
- Learn and Repeat. As you begin moving forward, remember to stay in prayer and take time to assess your results and progress. How did your efforts turn out? Why did they or did they not succeed? How can you improve? Stopping to assess isn’t double-mindedness. It’s simply part of the responsibility-reliance loop. As you move decisively forward, assessing give you space to examine your results, to learn from them, and to lean into God for wisdom to grow and take the next step. Because here’s the thing…
Developing a mindset of choosing is really about committing to a growth process that allows God to strengthen and guide us through every step we take. It allows Him to fit us for works beyond our imagining. Just like He fitted Churchill to help a nation weather a world war. Just like He used Nehemiah’s boldness to rouse dispirited Israelite exiles to accomplish a miraculous work. Just like He used my decisions to prepare me to help others grow…
So I encourage you today, writer, if you’ve felt overwhelmed by the sheer multitude of options before you—take heart! God is your source of wisdom and as you commit to take each step wholeheartedly as unto Him, He will use that step, not just to grow you and your story, but ultimately to grow your readers too.
#choose #trust #grow #EveryWriterWriting
