Transformation usually begins with desire.

I’m not going to set out on a new journey unless I’m either in a tough spot or see the promise of something much better on the horizon.

We can’t go chasing after every impulse that comes to mind. But if a desire persists and keeps coming back to “haunt” me. These are the whispers that matter. Especially if that desire comes back stronger each time I think about it.

Let me give you a couple of examples.

When my kids were little, I somehow got a free subscription to Cruising World magazine. I loved getting that magazine! Back then, caring for small children, each issue felt like an escape to an incredible adventure. I’d dream about buying a sailboat and heading out to sea!

But let’s be honest: that was definitely not the right time of my life to learn to sail and live on a sailboat!

More recently, as my youngest enters his third year of high school, I’ve been thinking a lot about Van Life. Once the kids are out of the house, and with a mostly remote job, this could be possible. It’s an echo of the idea of blue water sailing, and now it feels like the timing might be different.

Similarly, I’ve tried several times to write a book. I even created a few e-books. But writing has always been hard for me, and I’ve never had a clear topic that felt worthy of a whole book. Recently, however, I found a topic that genuinely has me engaged. So now, I’ve set aside several hours a week to see what progress I can make. This desire isn’t just a fleeting thought; it’s a consistent pull.

Use your words (and feelings)

These invitations often don’t arrive with an obvious plan.

For example, I’m genuinely drawn to adventure, seeing beautiful places, and living with less stuff. But those feelings don’t even approximate a solid plan. So when my wife asks practical questions like, “What about the pets?” or “How will we live in less than 300 square feet?”—the whisper hasn’t quite thought that through yet.

But just because my desire is expressed in feelings rather than a detailed blueprint doesn’t make it invalid. Maybe living in a van isn’t the exact answer, but perhaps we could live and work from AirBnBs for a while. Or maybe we start taking more adventurous vacations. The point is, it’s a genuine desire, it keeps knocking, and it won’t go away. Taking the time to listen to that urge and to identify what’s truly behind it can open up a whole new world of possibilities for expressing it.

Fear is the dream-killer

In our last message, I talked about those two distinct voices: the hopeful, encouraging one and the protective, practical, sometimes discouraging one.

The hopeful voice is the one that’s game for the challenge, can see the possibilities, and believes I have what it takes to tackle the obstacles. It’s rooting for what could be.

The other voice? That’s usually a voice from my past, trying to protect me from failure, discouragement, embarrassment, or hurt. This voice might sound practical, but it often stems from a place of fear.

When that second voice starts speaking up, I like to ask it a simple question:

“What do you need to feel more confident to move forward?“

I’m frequently surprised at the answer. It could be something concrete, like more information, a clear first step, or even acknowledging a past failure. Giving voice to that fear can often disarm it.

If you’re hearing that knock, if there’s something you desire to change, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. Just hit reply and tell me:

What do you need to feel more confident about moving forward?

I read and respond to every email.