From Calling to Confidence: How One “Last-Minute Yes” Became a God‑Led Journey of Purpose
Two days before a major conference, Tara received a call she didn’t expect. A speaker had thrown out their back, and the organizers needed someone—fast.
She was simply on a list of “future possible speakers,” someone who had once said, “If you ever need help, I’d love to speak.”
But she had no keynote, no slides, no prep.
What she did have was vision, faith, and a God‑given fire burning inside her.
She was told, “You’re great at LinkedIn and personal branding—talk about that,” she said:
“Okay!”
That moment changed everything.
This blog is created off the IOL podcast intreview with Tara LaFon Gooch, #184 Remove Fear By Name It. Tame It. Embrace Your Calling.
God Provides Long Before We Feel Prepared
Tara’s story is what happens when faith meets opportunity. She stepped onto that stage unsure, unpolished, and unplanned—but fully equipped by God in ways she couldn’t yet see.
“The Lord knows the desires of your heart,” she said. “He equipped me before I even realized I needed it.”
Sometimes we don’t understand why a passion won’t leave us alone.
We don’t understand why we feel pulled toward something that makes no sense.
But God does.
And He uses those passions as breadcrumbs leading us straight into our purpose.
“Once You Name It, You Tame It” — The Fear That Finally Left
When I asked Tara if speaking had gotten easier or if she still felt fear, she smiled:
“The fear is gone. Once you name it, you tame it.”
She explained that fear is natural when you step into the unknown.
Your brain fires off warnings: “Is this safe? You’ve never done this before.”
But she also said something powerful:
Fear shows up the moment you step out of your comfort zone—
but that’s also where the magic happens.
On that very first stage, talking about personal branding, Tara saw people leaning in… taking notes… nodding their heads… connecting.
And she realized:
“I’m doing what I’m called to do. I’m making an impact on people’s lives.”
Rejection, Redirection, and the Book That Wasn’t Meant to Be
Today, Tara has just delivered another keynote. Her third book, From Calling to Confidence, is on the way—a roadmap to help leaders embrace their God‑given assignment.
But the journey wasn’t straight.
Before this book, she spent 7–8 months writing a 75,000‑word manuscript called GRASP.
It was meant for Christian CEOs—until the publisher said:
“We’re going to pass.”
Most people would have stopped.
But Tara didn’t.
Instead, she practiced the very first step of her own GRASP method:
Gratitude.
“It wasn’t a waste,” she told me. “I hold the keys to my future. That ‘no’ redirected me to the book God wanted me to write.”
Her lesson is one every leader needs:
Never stop believing because of rejection.
Look for the redirection.
It might be the setup for your greatest impact.
The Calling You Can’t Ignore
I told Tara, “You’ve been faithful. You surrendered your plans. Now you’re being obedient.”
She humbly shared how none of this existed in her family line:
- No other authors
- No speakers
- No entrepreneurs
- No podcasters
She was the first.
“I had a God‑given calling,” she said. “No one showed me how. But I couldn’t ignore it.”
And today, she’s gathering real case studies from clients whose lives and businesses are transformed by her work—stories that will be included in her newest book.
When You Feel the Calling but the World Tells You ‘Don’t’
We talked about the uncomfortable in-between:
When you feel called…
but your environment doesn’t support it.
People tell you not to do it.
Doubt creeps in.
“What if I fail?” I asked her. “Does that mean I should stop trying?”
She pointed to Scripture.
She reminded me of David, the forgotten shepherd boy.
The least likely.
Overlooked.
Unprepared by human standards—yet chosen by God.
David faced Goliath not because he had approval, but because he had anointing.
As Tara put it:
“Once you accept God, you are already appointed.
You don’t need permission.
You just need to step boldly into your calling.”
On Hard Days: How to Fight the Lies
Everyone sees the wins.
But Tara wanted to talk about the hard days—the days when it feels like nothing is working.
Her first tool?
Recognize the voice.
“There is an adversary who wants to trip you up,” she said.
“And the easiest tactic is doubt.
If he can plant doubt, he doesn’t even need to fight you—you’ll sit out the game on your own.”
But here’s the truth she wants every leader to hear:
“If the enemy is attacking you, it’s because you’re a threat.
That means you have more power than you realize.
Show gratitude—and step forward anyway.”
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