Chasing FailureSample

Discovering Your Sweet Spot

Chasing failure will help you discover what’s not in the cards for you and prepare you for what actually is in the cards for you. You will learn the distinction between what is supposed to be a career and what is simply a hobby. It’s irresponsible to tell everyone to never give up, to throw caution to the wind, to relentlessly pursue their dreams without knowing whether or not that dream should be pursued. It’s important to be aware of your own strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. When you are aware of these, then you shouldn’t allow someone else to put limitations on you. Your sweet spot is where your passion, skillset, opportunity, and purpose intertwine.

It would be a shame if you put out a lot of effort to land a dream job you have no passion for. I’ve found two things to be true: (1) God has a plan for your life, and (2) so do other people. How much time and energy will you give to what other people want you to do? God will put in you a passion for those things He wants you to pursue. Other people may have their own agenda for you, or they may offer sound advice. We can follow the passion God gives us as well as make wise decisions that help us pay the bills. What’s important is to have clarity about what you are passionate about. 

Knowing your skillset, what you are gifted in, will help you move toward success. Failure is part of discovering what you are gifted to do. It’s always going to go better for you if you enter into a conversation about your skillsets with humility rather than arrogance. Your skillset can also be assessed with personality tests, like StrengthsFinder or the Enneagram, to help you better understand what you’re naturally good at versus what you’ll need nurtured. 

With passion and your skillset, you need opportunities and purpose. Opportunity can come in small packages, so don’t be discouraged by small steps. You never know when God will turn that small step into more. Simply do a really good job at what you love and leave the outcome in God’s hands. Your job is to show up not afraid to try. No matter what you do, if you don’t have purpose, you’ll always live unfulfilled. God has created each of us with a deep need to do something of great significance—something to reach our full potential and help others reach theirs as well. 

My friend, I wake up every day with a fire in my soul to make a difference. I’m not just a motivational speaker; I’m a motivated speaker. I’m motivated to help people find their purpose, and I don’t believe they can do that without connecting with their Creator. I have a passion for it. I have a skillset with which to pull it off. I’m given opportunities I don’t deserve to do. And I know I was born to do it. I’m living in my sweet spot. I’d love to tell you to never give up. But I’d rather tell you to fail at the things you need to early so you can chase your purpose and find your own sweet spot. 

Respond

What are you most consistently passionate about? How does connecting with your Creator help you discover your passion?

How do you see your passion, skillset, opportunities, and purpose fitting together? What’s your sweet spot?

How has failure helped you discover God’s purpose for your life—or at least narrow down the possibilities at present?