Why Your Next Big Challenge Might Be Closer Than You Think

Right now, I’m in New York City — a place that always feels like it’s on fast-forward. It’s loud, it’s bold, and it has this way of making you feel like you’re part of something bigger. But I’m not here just to soak up the atmosphere. Over the next three days, I’ll be part of a panel discussing international diplomacy and how it plays a role in achieving peace in the Middle East at The United Nations.

If that sounds intense, it’s because it is. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling the weight of it. But that’s the thing about stepping into new spaces — it’s never comfortable at first. It’s unfamiliar, sometimes overwhelming, but almost always worth it.

This whole experience has got me thinking about the year ahead. What would it look like if we all committed to taking on new challenges in 2025? Not just the kind that look good on a CV, but the kind that actually stretch us.

I’m learning (the hard way) that growth doesn’t come when things are easy. It comes when we walk into the unknown and trust that we’ll figure it out along the way.

If you’re still setting your goals for 2025, here’s a gentle nudge: Don’t just aim for what’s achievable. Make space for something that feels a little out of reach.

Here’s why:

1️⃣ Challenge Unlocks Growth You Can’t Get Anywhere Else

Think about the moments in your life that changed you the most. They weren’t the moments of ease. They were the moments where you were tested — maybe a new role, a tough conversation, or a project where you felt in over your head.

Challenges push us to grow skills we didn’t know we had. They demand resourcefulness, patience, and grit. But here’s the secret: you don’t have to wait for those moments to happen by chance. You can choose them.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

2️⃣ Confidence Comes After Courage, Not Before

A lot of people are waiting to “feel ready” before they act. But that feeling never comes. Confidence is a reward for action — not a prerequisite. Every major step I’ve taken (including this speaking gig) started with me feeling uncertain. Confidence always comes after you do the hard thing, not before.

So if you’re waiting to feel ready for that new role, project, or leap… just start. Your future self will thank you.

3️⃣ The Magic Is Just Outside Your Comfort Zone

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but here’s the thing — it’s true. We don’t grow in places where everything is familiar. We grow in the places where we have to adapt. The “magic” isn’t as far away as it feels. It’s one uncomfortable decision, one courageous step, or one scary conversation away.

If you’re looking for a simple next step, here’s a challenge for you:

1. Name one challenge you could take on in January. Something that stretches you but doesn’t paralyze you.

2. Tell someone about it. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or someone in this community, saying it out loud makes it real.

3. Start before you’re ready. (Because you’ll never feel ready.)

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1. I sat down with Bishop Sterns to talk The TRUTH about HAMAS, Israel and Palestine for

   The Common Sense Network

2. I sat down with On Mission to talk Christians and Wealth.

Have an amazing week all,

M.T. Omoniyi