Different Results Require Different Actions

Do you ever find yourself wanting different results in your life but still find yourself doing the same old thing you have always done for years and expecting something to change?  Well, I think many of us have done that in our lives, and I want to unmask the top three things that can keep you trapped in this cycle and share a few things that you can do to start moving forward in both your life and your art.  

You know, if we are honest, I think a lot of us have been in places in our life where we felt like the life that I am living right now, the things that I am going through, I really wish it would change, but I am not willing to change anything in my life in order to make things change. 

I have struggled with weight over the years and my eating.  I am just now starting to get a handle on that in my life. But for years, I like the idea of being skinnier. I liked the idea of eating healthy. I like the idea of being more fit, but for far too long, I wasn’t willing to change my habits so that those ideals that I wanted could and would become a reality. (Thankfully, my wife and I made some significant changes in our lifestyle and I’m down 30+ pounds!)

I think a lot of people are like that with their art, too.  They like the idea of wanting to be an artist.  They like the idea of God using them in their life, but they are not really to the point yet where they are willing to make a change, where they are willing to do different actions to get different results. 
 
Listen, we have all been there.  No shame, but in general, there are probably a couple of different reasons why people find themselves in that situation.  One is fear. 

Fear
Fear of failure, fear of misunderstanding, or fear of the unknown. The enemy loves to get you stirred up with “hits” like:

• What if I fail?
• What if it doesn’t go my way?
• What if this happens or that happens?
• What if I don’t achieve everything that I believe is going to happen?
• What would other people think about me?  

All of the drama that swirls around on the inside will suck the life out of you. Standing up to the fear and embracing God’s perfect love is a significant first step in finding that confident footing you desire.  Another reason folks find themselves stuck in life boils down to Mindset.

Mindset
You know, if you have never learned really to take control of your thoughts and renew your mind like we read about in Romans 12, then there’s a good chance that Stinkin’ Thinkin’ may be holding you back.  Ideas about who you are, God’s plan for your life, and what’s possible with your art are all too often based on your experiences or what others have said to you as opposed to the actual truth. 

Your beliefs about yourself, your potential, and your art are based on your “normal.” But we are called as believers to have faith for what is “normal” in the Kingdom of God. Our challenge and I believe the point of Romans 12:2, is to begin the process of aligning with God’s idea of normal. 

Lack of Knowledge
I think sometimes, people just don’t know what they don’t know.  You might be full of dreams, ideas, and passion for your art and your future as artists, but you don’t know the next step to take.  Or maybe you’re like people I’ve met over the years, and you don’t even know the right questions to ask, or even who to ask to help you get going on your journey.

The lack of knowledge and feeling like you’re all alone can leave you feeling isolated, which can reinforce false beliefs you may hold while stoking those fears that could be holding you back. But realizing that you’re not the only and intentionally seeking out peers or even a mentor with the experience you lack is the best way I’ve found to overcome any knowledge gaps.

So let me wrap this up by saying that you are never going to get different results in your life unless you begin to take different actions.  And that is not something that starts to happen spontaneously someday far in the future. It starts right now.  

It starts with a gut decision inside of you that says:  You know what?  No matter what I am fearful about, no matter how scary this seams, no matter where I find myself in the world, no matter if I am the only one, I am determined to begin to see the results that I believe God has for me in my life in the context of being a thriving Christian artist.

Seeing your art transform others while it blesses you financially, thriving spiritually, artistically and in business can absolutely be your story. Still, it starts with one thing – with you deciding to change the habits and the actions that you have employed up until this time, and make it change so that you can begin to move in a different direction.

I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share on social media and comment below!

Thanks for reading. 
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