Willingness, Belief, and Faith: The Unlikely Trio That Builds a Badass, Purpose-Driven Life

Most people think success starts with a perfect plan.
But that’s not how it started for Ava.

A few years ago, Ava was stuck. She hated her job, felt numb inside, and had no idea what she wanted next. One rainy Wednesday, she sat alone in a café, staring at her reflection in a chipped mug. No five-year plan. Not even a five-day plan.
But she did have one thing: a flicker of willingness.

Her phone buzzed—a random invite to a local improv class. She almost deleted it. She wasn’t ready. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to go.
But something whispered, “Why not?”

So she showed up. Heart pounding. Hands shaking. Fully convinced she’d embarrass herself.
And she did.

She tripped over her own feet. Forgot her lines. Laughed so hard she snorted.
But she walked out of that room feeling more alive than she had in years.

That single, awkward yes changed everything.

Ava kept saying yes—to coffee invites, to volunteering, to pitching a bold idea at work. She didn’t know where it would all lead. But she kept showing up.
Over time, belief crept in.
Maybe she could handle uncertainty.
Maybe she was capable.

And then came faith—not in a fixed outcome, but in the unfolding path itself.
She didn’t need the whole map.
Just the next step.

Today, Ava runs a thriving creative agency. No master plan. No blueprint.
Just a string of messy, courageous yeses.

The Model: Willingness → Belief → Faith

Willingness is the starting point. Say yes before you feel ready.
Belief is the engine. Keep moving, even when doubt is loud.
Faith is the compass. Trust that the path will reveal itself.

Willingness gets you started.
Belief keeps you going.
Faith carries you through.

How to Use It in Your Life or Business

In Life: That invite, idea, or chance you keep brushing off? Try saying yes. Ask yourself: “What’s the worst that could happen if I just show up?”

In Business: Feel out of your depth? Good. That’s where growth lives. Start before you’re ready. Act like someone who believes they’ll figure it out—because you will.

Questions for You

• When’s the last time you said yes without a plan?

• What would you try this week if failure didn’t scare you?

• Where could a little more faith bring freedom, momentum, or adventure?

The Takeaway

You don’t need a flawless plan.
You need the willingness to start, the belief to keep going, and the faith to trust what’s ahead.

As Dr. King said,
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

That’s exactly what the 10-Year Letter is built on: a willingness to imagine, the belief that your future matters, and the faith to commit it to paper—before you feel fully ready.

So—what’s your next step?

Say yes. Believe. Trust the path.
Let your future surprise you.

Want to go deeper?
Write your 10-Year Letter. The version of you ten years from now is waiting—and they’ll thank you for starting today.