When I entered the fitness profession in the early 1990s, I quickly discovered that I did not fit the image many people had of a fitness professional.

At the time, the industry promoted a very narrow standard of fitness, beauty, and leadership. Unfortunately, I did not fit that standard because I was a Black woman with curves and hips. As a result, some people could not see beyond their assumptions about who should be standing at the front of the room leading and instructing others.

Not surprisingly, I kept hearing the same advice.

“Just wait.”

“Your opportunity will come.”

“Be patient.”

At first, the advice seemed reasonable. There are seasons in life when waiting is wise. Timing matters. Preparation matters. Developing the expertise, experience, and confidence necessary for success matters. Not every opportunity is supposed to happen immediately, and not every delay is a sign that something is wrong.

However, as the months passed, I noticed something.

The opportunities were not coming!

People were not hiring me.

I was being rejected NOT because I lacked knowledge.  I was being dismissed because they could not see beyond their assumptions and biases about what a fitness professional should look like.

So instead of focusing on who would hire me, I started asking a much more important question: Where can I serve?

That question led me into churches, parks, community organizations, and eventually even a beauty salon, where I taught fitness classes and motivated people to believe in themselves and their ability to create healthier lives.

Here is the good news:  Teaching in those spaces led to newspaper coverage, speaking opportunities, community leadership, entrepreneurship, national television appearances, and many other experiences that enriched both my life and my career.

More importantly, it taught me THIS important life lesson ….. DON’T WAIT for validation when you know you are called to do something!

So this is what I want you to always remember:  Getting wise counsel is important.

Why?

Advice matters.

Mentors matter.

Coaches matter.

Experienced voices matter.

Feedback can help us avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary detours

Wisdom is a gift.

However, not all advice is rooted in wisdom. Sometimes people can ONLY offer opinions based on their limitations, fears, and prejudices.

So, as you reflect on your own life, I encourage you to think about the times you were told to wait and ask yourself a few questions, like:

Was that advice rooted in wisdom?

Will it help you become more prepared, more capable, or more successful?

Does it feel rooted in someone else’s assumptions, fears, preferences, or inability to see your potential?

More importantly, determine where you are being told to wait today.

And if the advice you are receiving aligns with what you already know to be true.

Because there are moments in life when we must respect advice without being ruled by it, so we won’t abandon what we know in our hearts, minds, and spirits to be true.

That way…. we will never let someone’s advice to wait override what we KNOW!

Blessings!

SharRon

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P.S. Let’s Continue the Conversation

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My Blessing for You This Week

May you have the wisdom to recognize the difference between a necessary pause and an unnecessary delay.

May you have the discernment to distinguish divine timing from human limitation.

May you trust your gifts, honor your calling, and continue moving forward even when others cannot yet see what is possible.

May you learn from wise counsel without surrendering your authority.

And may you always remember that a divine calling will be more powerful than any artificial delay.