George Michael’s ‘Faith’
In 1986, big-haired, smooth, and handsome eighties pop idol George Michael had a revelation. He realized that he had been living in-authentically, constrained by the image and persona crafted during his early years of fame. Determined to break free from this mold, George returned in 1987 with a whole new look and a rock-and-roll pastiche that defined his debut solo album, “Faith.”
For those who aren’t religious, the word “faith” can be unsettling due to its deep-rooted religious connotations. However, at its essence, faith transcends religion. It signifies having complete trust and confidence in somebody or something. George Michael perfectly encapsulated this broader understanding in his music and message. He showed us that if you want to be successful—whether in work, relationships, or life in general—you’ve gotta have faith.
Yet, many of us struggle to embrace this concept fully. If something is holding you back from taking George Michael’s advice, it’s likely fear. Fear of not being “good enough,” fear of failure, or fear of the unknown often paralyzes us. But here’s the truth: overcoming these fears and learning to have faith in yourself is the most powerful step you can take toward achieving your dreams.
Fear Is Holding You Back
No one wants to live an insignificant life, wasting away in a dead-end job that means nothing to them. Be honest with yourself—you’d much rather live an exciting life filled with enjoyment, passion, and vigor. So, what’s holding you back?
One thing and one thing only: fear. Fear keeps people trapped in the land of worst-case scenarios, “what ifs,” and “I’m not good enough’s.” It paralyzes action and stifles dreams. At its core, fear is the result of not having faith.
People with low self-esteem and confidence often lack faith in their ability to upgrade their lives. They doubt their potential and prospects, which makes them pessimistic and afraid. This lack of faith inclines them to live conservative and reserved lives, choosing safety over risk, and comfort over freedom.
It’s not an overstatement to say that most people are crippled by fear. You’d be surprised how often individuals limit themselves to safe spaces, familiar routines, and unchallenging environments. They opt for comfort because their fear of the future outweighs their faith in themselves. For many years of my life, I chose job security, social groups, and people-pleasing to get ahead. I discovered the hard way that compromising my integrity and standards to fit in with others was more imprisoning than liberating.
Living with faith is the polar opposite of living in a way that’s governed by fear. When you have faith, you stop expecting the worst-case scenario. You react from a place of peace, rather than anxiety, panic, stress, tension, or chaos.
George Michael named his album “Faith” because he believed everything would turn out alright, despite trials and tribulations. He had enough faith in himself to persevere. His faith was proactive. He decided, “I’m not going to stay complacent; I’m going to get out there and do something that matters!” That kind of faith is the bedrock of true success.
The Beauty of Taking Risks
Acting in faith is a two-part equation. When you have faith that you can handle hardships, you naturally develop another important quality: the willingness to take risks. Risk and faith are symbiotic. They cannot exist effectively without each other. Risk is required for change to take place, and faith is necessary to free yourself from being controlled by fear.
A single incident in my early twenties made me aware of the dichotomy between faith and fear. I was living in Australia at the time, backpacking up the West Coast to Darwin. One day, one of my companions announced that he’d bagged us a boat with a glass bottom. He’d heard that the giant turtles had recently had their babies and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for all of us to sail out and go scuba diving to try to catch a glimpse of them.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we packed our wetsuits and dashed out to sea in the early hours. I was swimming in blissful tranquillity until, suddenly, I realized there was a big bull shark nearby. I felt utterly powerless, but strangely, that powerlessness gave me peace. Why should I worry about something I couldn’t control?
My panic faded, and my friends and I calmly discussed the situation. We had a 50 percent chance of getting attacked, so the question was: did we want to risk seeing the turtles or not? Those turtles could potentially be the last things we saw, but would we feel more at peace with completing our mission? We decided that we’d come this far already and we might as well try to see them.
They were utterly beautiful and worth every ounce of fear we felt that day. And, as you’ve probably deduced, we made it back to the boat just fine.
Living in faith involves taking risks and accepting that you cannot control the things that happen to you. All you’re able to control in life is how you respond to what happens to you. When you respond from a place of faith, not fear, you are always making the right decision.
To some people, this may seem naive, but I would argue that it’s far more effective than living a life dominated by anxiety, fear, and worry. I’ve never met a successful person with the mantra, “You gotta worry, worry, worry.”
Taking a Leap of Faith
When your emotional and mental well-being are heavily influenced by unmonitored thoughts and external circumstances, you immediately become disempowered and out of control. This state of mind can lead to feelings of helplessness and stagnation. On the other hand, proactive and confident individuals choose to rise above their circumstances by responding in ways that encourage personal development and growth.
George Michael understood this dynamic profoundly, which is why his song “Faith” continues to resonate in showers, cars, and karaoke halls worldwide. Success and faith go hand-in-hand. To achieve your goals, you must take risks, act boldly, and nurture unshakeable confidence.
George Michael didn’t just sing about faith; he lived it. His transformation from an ’80s pop idol to a solo artist with depth and authenticity is a testament to the power of believing in oneself. He knew that having faith wasn’t about complacency but about taking decisive actions that align with one’s true self and aspirations.
So, what does taking a leap of faith look like for you? It might mean pursuing a new career, starting a passion project, or making changes to improve your relationships. Whatever it is, the first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the most crucial. You have to jump even when you can’t see the entire staircase.
Remember, faith isn’t just a passive feeling; it’s an active, dynamic force that propels you forward. It enables you to face challenges head-on and transforms obstacles into opportunities. By cultivating faith in yourself and your abilities, you can navigate life’s uncertainties with resilience and courage.
Take your first leap of faith today and continue leaping. Each step forward will build your confidence and reinforce your belief in your potential. Embrace the unknown with open arms and trust that with every leap, you are moving closer to your dreams. George Michael’s legacy teaches us that with faith, anything is possible. Now, it’s your turn to create your own path, fueled by unwavering faith in yourself.
* This is an except from Responsibility Rebellion: A Practical Guide to Personal Empowerment.
