The Faith Protocol

What does it help with?

Stopping the energy drain of trying to predict the future while ensuring your nervous system feels safe enough to take the leap. It transforms faith from a passive feeling into an active preparation.

When to use it?

When you feel paralyzed by uncertainty, or when your brain is spinning trying to calculate an outcome that hasn't happened yet.

How to do it:

Draw the Map: Take a piece of paper. Draw two columns or distinct areas.
Anchor in the Known: In the first area, list everything you currently know for a fact.
- Why: Anxiety often makes the "Unknown" feel like 100% of the picture. Listing the "Knowns" reveals the solid ground you already stand on.
Define the Gap: In the second area, list the specific Unknowns that are stopping you.
The Decision Gate: Look at the "Unknowns" list and ask: Can I take action without knowing these answers?
- NO: Activate Experimentation. You need data.
- YES: Activate Faith. You are choosing to proceed. Move to Step 5.
Pack Your Backpack: You cannot predict the future, but you can pack for the journey. Identify what "items" you need to carry to handle the discomfort.
- Tactical Items: Resources for specific logistical unknowns.
- Regulatory Items: Practices to manage the feeling of uncertainty.

Example 1: The Curiosity Investment

The Decision: "I want to invest $2,000 in a pottery course just because I love it, but I’m scared it’s a waste because I won’t make a career out of it."
The Knowns: I have the money. I feel bored in my daily life. I love working with my hands.
The Unknowns: Will I be good at it? Will I regret spending the money later? Will people think I'm being frivolous?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "budget boundary"—this is the only big purchase I will make this quarter.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Reframing Mantra." When I feel guilty about the money, I will remind myself that play is a nutrient, not a luxury.

Example 2: The Interpersonal Boundary

The Decision: "I want to tell my family I am not hosting the holiday party this year because I am exhausted."
The Knowns: I love them. I am physically burnt out. Hosting will cause me resentment.
The Unknowns: Will they be angry? Will it ruin the holiday tradition? Will they think I am selfish?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "Script" so I don't freeze up, and an "Alternative Plan" (meeting at a restaurant) so I am offering a solution.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Guilt Hangover Plan." I know I will feel guilty after the call, so I am pre-scheduling a movie night immediately after so I don't sit and ruminate.

Example 3: The Business Launch

The Decision: "I want to launch a new creative offering, but I don't know if it will work."
The Knowns: I have a small audience who trusts me. I have the skills to deliver this. I have a partner who supports me.
The Unknowns: Will anyone buy it? Will I be criticized? Will the tech fail? Will I be misunderstood as I’m figuring it out?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "savings buffer" of 2 months' savings so I don't panic if sales are slow.
- Regulatory Item: I know uncertainty triggers my anxiety, so I am packing "Daily morning walks" and "A pre-scheduled call with a mentor" to regulate my nervous system during the launch week.

Examples

Example 1: The Curiosity Investment

The Decision: "I want to invest $2,000 in a pottery course just because I love it, but I’m scared it’s a waste because I won’t make a career out of it."
The Knowns: I have the money. I feel bored in my daily life. I love working with my hands.
The Unknowns: Will I be good at it? Will I regret spending the money later? Will people think I'm being frivolous?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "budget boundary"—this is the only big purchase I will make this quarter.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Reframing Mantra." When I feel guilty about the money, I will remind myself that play is a nutrient, not a luxury.

Example 2: The Interpersonal Boundary

The Decision: "I want to tell my family I am not hosting the holiday party this year because I am exhausted."
The Knowns: I love them. I am physically burnt out. Hosting will cause me resentment.
The Unknowns: Will they be angry? Will it ruin the holiday tradition? Will they think I am selfish?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "Script" so I don't freeze up, and an "Alternative Plan" (meeting at a restaurant) so I am offering a solution.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Guilt Hangover Plan." I know I will feel guilty after the call, so I am pre-scheduling a movie night immediately after so I don't sit and ruminate.

Example 3: The Business Launch

The Decision: "I want to launch a new creative offering, but I don't know if it will work."
The Knowns: I have a small audience who trusts me. I have the skills to deliver this. I have a partner who supports me.
The Unknowns: Will anyone buy it? Will I be criticized? Will the tech fail? Will I be misunderstood as I’m figuring it out?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "savings buffer" of 2 months' savings so I don't panic if sales are slow.
- Regulatory Item: I know uncertainty triggers my anxiety, so I am packing "Daily morning walks" and "A pre-scheduled call with a mentor" to regulate my nervous system during the launch week.

What does it help with?

Stopping the energy drain of trying to predict the future while ensuring your nervous system feels safe enough to take the leap. It transforms faith from a passive feeling into an active preparation.

When to use it?

When you feel paralyzed by uncertainty, or when your brain is spinning trying to calculate an outcome that hasn't happened yet.

How to do it:

Draw the Map: Take a piece of paper. Draw two columns or distinct areas.
Anchor in the Known: In the first area, list everything you currently know for a fact.
- Why: Anxiety often makes the "Unknown" feel like 100% of the picture. Listing the "Knowns" reveals the solid ground you already stand on.
Define the Gap: In the second area, list the specific Unknowns that are stopping you.
The Decision Gate: Look at the "Unknowns" list and ask: Can I take action without knowing these answers?
- NO: Activate Experimentation. You need data.
- YES: Activate Faith. You are choosing to proceed. Move to Step 5.
Pack Your Backpack: You cannot predict the future, but you can pack for the journey. Identify what "items" you need to carry to handle the discomfort.
- Tactical Items: Resources for specific logistical unknowns.
- Regulatory Items: Practices to manage the feeling of uncertainty.

Example 1: The Curiosity Investment

The Decision: "I want to invest $2,000 in a pottery course just because I love it, but I’m scared it’s a waste because I won’t make a career out of it."
The Knowns: I have the money. I feel bored in my daily life. I love working with my hands.
The Unknowns: Will I be good at it? Will I regret spending the money later? Will people think I'm being frivolous?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "budget boundary"—this is the only big purchase I will make this quarter.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Reframing Mantra." When I feel guilty about the money, I will remind myself that play is a nutrient, not a luxury.

Example 2: The Interpersonal Boundary

The Decision: "I want to tell my family I am not hosting the holiday party this year because I am exhausted."
The Knowns: I love them. I am physically burnt out. Hosting will cause me resentment.
The Unknowns: Will they be angry? Will it ruin the holiday tradition? Will they think I am selfish?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "Script" so I don't freeze up, and an "Alternative Plan" (meeting at a restaurant) so I am offering a solution.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Guilt Hangover Plan." I know I will feel guilty after the call, so I am pre-scheduling a movie night immediately after so I don't sit and ruminate.

Example 3: The Business Launch

The Decision: "I want to launch a new creative offering, but I don't know if it will work."
The Knowns: I have a small audience who trusts me. I have the skills to deliver this. I have a partner who supports me.
The Unknowns: Will anyone buy it? Will I be criticized? Will the tech fail? Will I be misunderstood as I’m figuring it out?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "savings buffer" of 2 months' savings so I don't panic if sales are slow.
- Regulatory Item: I know uncertainty triggers my anxiety, so I am packing "Daily morning walks" and "A pre-scheduled call with a mentor" to regulate my nervous system during the launch week.

Examples

Example 1: The Curiosity Investment

The Decision: "I want to invest $2,000 in a pottery course just because I love it, but I’m scared it’s a waste because I won’t make a career out of it."
The Knowns: I have the money. I feel bored in my daily life. I love working with my hands.
The Unknowns: Will I be good at it? Will I regret spending the money later? Will people think I'm being frivolous?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "budget boundary"—this is the only big purchase I will make this quarter.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Reframing Mantra." When I feel guilty about the money, I will remind myself that play is a nutrient, not a luxury.

Example 2: The Interpersonal Boundary

The Decision: "I want to tell my family I am not hosting the holiday party this year because I am exhausted."
The Knowns: I love them. I am physically burnt out. Hosting will cause me resentment.
The Unknowns: Will they be angry? Will it ruin the holiday tradition? Will they think I am selfish?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "Script" so I don't freeze up, and an "Alternative Plan" (meeting at a restaurant) so I am offering a solution.
- Regulatory Item: I am packing a "Guilt Hangover Plan." I know I will feel guilty after the call, so I am pre-scheduling a movie night immediately after so I don't sit and ruminate.

Example 3: The Business Launch

The Decision: "I want to launch a new creative offering, but I don't know if it will work."
The Knowns: I have a small audience who trusts me. I have the skills to deliver this. I have a partner who supports me.
The Unknowns: Will anyone buy it? Will I be criticized? Will the tech fail? Will I be misunderstood as I’m figuring it out?
The Backpack:
- Tactical Item: I am packing a "savings buffer" of 2 months' savings so I don't panic if sales are slow.
- Regulatory Item: I know uncertainty triggers my anxiety, so I am packing "Daily morning walks" and "A pre-scheduled call with a mentor" to regulate my nervous system during the launch week.