Just One Simple Thing

Send us a textDid you know that as a writer who is building an audience, you have a secret superpower? It's one that not every writer unlocks, but has the power to enhance your writing journey AND create a built-in group of people invested in your success. Want to know what it is? Listen in on Episode 140 of Just One Simple Thing and find out!Many of you listening have a book to write. The book of your heart. The book of God's calling. As you write, you are also building an audience ... a community of people who believe in your message. And believe in you. You may think of your book as your own project...something you have to do alone. But what's the point in building a community if you can't take them along with you on your greatest journey? And when people feel like a valued part of something, they are invested in making it successful.Pick some ways from this list to involve your audience in your book project.Test out your content. Sharing some of the concepts and content of your book idea is a great way to see what is really resonating with your audience.Ask for examples. New concepts are easier to understand when there are concrete examples to go along with them.Get opinions on components of the book. Let your audience help you choose the title, subtitle, and cover art.Share parts of the journey. What did you learn about yourself or about God as you went through the process? Sharing these things makes your writer life more relatable, even to people who are not writers.Try a focus group. Get a few people together to read a chapter and discuss it with you.These are just a few ways that you can include your audience in your book project. And when it's time to launch that book, you'll have a whole group of people who are personally invested in you and the success of your book. Doesn't that sound a lot better than doing it all alone? ONE SIMPLE ACTION STEPPick one or two of these ideas and make a plan for including your audience. You don't have to do them all...a little can go a long way. And be sure to let me know how it works out for you! Thanks for hanging out with me here today. I hope these ideas are helpful to you. If you want some more encouragement on your writing journey, pick up a copy of my book, Moving Forward: Inspiration for the Go Getter Jesus Girl. You can find it on Amazon, and I'll put the link in the show notes.RESOURCES:Moving Forward: Inspirations for the Go Getter Jesus Girl - Whether you need to Dream A Dream, Make A Plan, Find Your People, or just Do The Thing, these practical insights from God's Word will inspire you to take the next step forward.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Send us a textIt's been a while since I've met you here on the podcast. A lot longer than I expected. Maybe 2025 hasn't gone like you expected, either. If you'd like to know where I've been, where I'm going, and how I sorted it all out, listen in to Episode 139 of Just One Simple Thing. It just might help you figure out your next steps as well.This episode doesn't really lend itself to consolidated show notes as I take you through the reasoning that defines a new stage in my business.If you are at a similar crossroads and need some help figuring it out, I highly recommend business coach Sarah Jacobson. You can find her on social media at Sarah Jacobson and at her website SarahAJacobson.com.ACTION STEP I know this episode is a lot of info about what was going on with me, but I hope that as you listened, you saw a little bit of yourself in my story. If things are feeling a little off for you in your ministry or business...if you feel things shifting and changing around you...go back to your roots and remember what God called you to do, who He called you to serve, and how He wired you for impact. Write those three things down and see if you've gotten too far away from them. Thanks for going on this journey with me it. It's most definitely not the end, but just another bend in the road.Join our community in the free Facebook Group Plan & Play with Do A New Thing for support, encouragement, and follow up on your action steps.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Have you started thinking about your year-end planning? Don't make the mistake of jumping into planning and goal-setting before you have prepared to plan. In Episode 138 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn four things you should do before you start your annual planning.It's the time of year where we start planning for next year. You'll have plenty of opportunities to reflect on the past year and to set goals for next year, but before you get started, there are some things you can do to prepare and make the process a lot easier for you.So let's create your planning plan!First, start off in prayer. We know this, right? But as you enter this season, it's so vital that you do it along with God.Pray that God will show you the truth.Pray that God will show you what is important.Pray that God sparks a blazing passion for your message and a deep desire to serve your audience.Second, gather up your stats. This info will tell you where your efforts are paying off and where they aren't.Third, start making a list of investments you want to make in your ministry or business. Once you start planning, you'll be able to tell which ones will most likely support your goals.Lastly, get some feedback from your audience. You can do this with a survey, or simple polls in your Instagram Stories, or just ask some questions in your Facebook group or email newsletter.Action Step Set aside a specific time to do your year-end planning and goal setting. Some people like to do it during the quiet space between Christmas and New Year's. Others prefer to wait until everyone is back in the swing of things in January. Whichever works for you, mark it on your calendar.If you are listening to this in real time in early December, check the show notes for a link to the Looking Back to Move Forward Challenge. It's a FREE five-day challenge that will help you close the door on 2024, leave behind what you no longer need, and start framing up 2025. I hope you'll join us!RESOURCESHow to Create a Reader Survey including a free download of sample questions.Looking Back to Move Forward ChallengeBe sure to subscribe to the NewLetter to receive free resources and podcast updates in your email every Monday. Sign up here.+++++++++++++++How would it feel to close the door on this year and start the new year with fresh confidence?No matter how it went for you, you need to say a fond farewell before you can move confidently into a new year.The Looking Back to Move Forward challenge will help you take stock of the past year, decide what to carry with you into the New Year, and what needs to stay in the past.

If you feel like you are in a season of waiting, maybe it is really a season of preparation. And that preparation is part of God's plan. Listen in to Episode 137 of Just One Simple Thing to learn how to navigate the preparation so you can get to the other side.We have the most amazing group of ladies who join us monthly for our Saturday morning Plan & Pray sessions. One of our most faithful members is a mom of 12 kids (yes, 12!!) who, with her husband, is building a ministry to support families with Bible study and parenting resources. In one of our sessions several months ago, Emmie said she hadn't done much in the past month to actively build their ministry, but she had spent a lot of time decluttering their home. They thought maybe God was calling them to go on the road in some way to serve people where they are. They were waiting on direction from the Lord, but in the meantime, were preparing for what may come. As I've watched this unfold over the weeks since then, a couple of things have struck me about our conversation that day.First, a season of waiting becomes productive when you see it as season of preparation.Sometimes, we view a season of waiting as just sitting on our hands and doing nothing. But I think most times, the season of waiting includes some type of preparation, and it may not make any sense.Second, preparation makes God's preposterous plans possible. A family with 12 kids loading up in an RV to do ministry on the road sounds crazy!But God knows exactly how it can be done, and only a season of preparation could make it possible. That's not something you can just wake up one morning and do. It takes months of planning and preparing.Maybe God has given you a huge dream... one you can't even picture. It's big and it's overwhelming and you don't know how you'll ever get there. I promise you that if God has given you that dream, he is also going to prepare you for it. You may not even realize that the hardships you are enduring and the pain you are processing are part of the preparation for His preposterous plan for you.ACTION STEP Look at the unexpected things happening in your life right now... especially the ones that may feel like distractions and interruptions that may be putting you in a season of waiting. How could God be using those to prepare you for what's next?Emmie's family is getting a little closer each day to heading off in that RV. I'm excited to see what God does with all of the preparation they've been through. If you'd like to follow along on their journey, connect with them at their website.And if you'd like to be part of our monthly Plan & Pray sessions, join my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing. That's where you'll find all the info and the zoom link the last Saturday of each month.RESOURCESPlan & Pray Facebook GroupJim & Emmie Manor WebsiteBe sure to subscribe to the NewLetter to receive free resources and podcast updates in your email every Monday. Sign up here. ++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Welcome back to another episode of Just One Simple Thing! I'm so excited to spend this time with you, especially if you're listening from the road, a hotel room, or maybe even an airport terminal—because today, we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart: how to balance your dream work while traveling for your full-time job.As I prepare this episode, I'm sitting in a hotel room on a Saturday more than 2000 miles from home in between two legs of a business trip. I don't know about you, but travel can easily disrupt my routines.But—just because you're traveling doesn't mean you have to lose momentum.The first thing to do is recognize the season you're in. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." When you're on the road for work, it may be a season to be realistic and adjust how much time you can dedicate to your ministry, and that's okay. Even in busy seasons, we can take small but powerful steps toward our dreams.1. Plan Ahead to Work EfficientlyBefore heading out on your trip, think about the type of work that is easiest to do in settings you'll be in.Pro Tip: Download necessary files or apps beforehand so you can work offline if you need to, then sync up when you are back online.2. Maximize Your DowntimeUse these times to catch up on tasks that don't require a full setup—listen to podcasts related to your business, sketch out ideas, or even pray and seek God's guidance for your next steps. Turning downtime into productive time can keep you moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.3. Leverage TechnologyTechnology is a lifesaver when you're on the move. The key is to simplify your tasks and make them as mobile as you are.4. Prioritize Rest and ReflectionTraveling can be draining, and it's easy to burn out if you're constantly pushing yourself to be productive. Be intentional about setting aside downtime.Don't feel guilty about unplugging for a bit. Rest is a form of worship, and it's in those quiet moments that God can recharge your spirit.Action StepLook at your upcoming travels and identify what tasks can be done on the go, and what needs to be done ahead. Set yourself up for success on your next trip! Thanks for joining me today. Let's be praying for each other as we pursue our calling while honoring all the work God has given us to do.Resources-The Move Forward Scripture Writing Journal is an easy way to stay in God's Word when you have a busy schedule. -Or try the ++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Could you meet your goals this fall by doing something called a "focused sprint"?  It sounds intense, but don't worry — it's really quite fun and fulfilling! In Episode 135 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn when and how to use this strategy in your ministry or business. So grab your favorite pumpkin spice pick-me-up and let's get started.As I'm recording this episode, it is Labor Day weekend …. the unofficial that all things Fall have started. Fall gives us a window to reassess and realign with our purpose. It's the perfect opportunity to shake off any discouragement and lean into the rest of the year with intentionality and purpose.A focused sprint is about dedicating a specific period — like several weeks — to give your all to one or two important goals.But first, let's agree on what a sprint is NOT.A sprint is not about running yourself ragged or pushing beyond what's healthy.Proverbs 16:3 encourages us with these words: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Practical tips to help you make the most of your Fall sprint:1.Set Clear, God-Centered Goals2. Break It Down into Bite-Sized Pieces3.Create a Focused, Time-Bound Plan4.Find a Rhythm That Works for You5.Create Results-Focused Accountability6.Say "No" to Distractions7.Celebrate Each Small Win8.Rest, Recharge, and ReflectA focused sprint works because it taps into that powerful ability God has given us to concentrate our energy and passion on a specific purpose. ACTION STEPI've created a Sprint Planner just for you.  Head over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing to download your free copy.  And if you are listening in real time the first week of September, my membership group The Honor Circle will be working through our sprint plans during this fall session, and it's not too late to joinThanks so much for listening today. If this episode was helpful to you, share it with a friend who might want to sprint with you. RESOURCES:The Honor Circle   membership group ++++++++++++++++++What if there was one place you could be in community with other women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full-time? There is, and it is open for registration now!The Honor Circle is a membership for Christian Women who have a big dream but little time, to honor all of the work God has given us to do. Click here for details and to get signed up!

Making decisions that stick can often be difficult for creatives and other communicators. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with ALL the things that we do nothing. A Decision-Making Framework can be the difference between nothing and the one thing God has called you to do. Tune in to Episode 134 of Just One Simple Thing to learn how to create your own custom framework.Welcome back, friends! I hope by now, you've gotten a chance to listen to Episode 133, where I share the three reasons why you need a decision-making framework.1. It helps you make decisions at all.2. To make better decisions.3. To stop second guessing.That adds up to your framework acting like a filter.You set up a way to evaluate tasks and ideas according to what matters to you. And then only the things that fit and are valuable will make it through your filter.  So how do you create a framework?Start by identifying the criteria you want to judge your ideas and tasks by.Choose four or five things that you value, or that support your goals.Next, list the ideas or tasks you have in front of you.Rate each one by how well it meets each of the criteria.Add up the scores and see where they land! You might be surprised which ones have the highest totals and which are near the bottom of the pack.When you get to the end of your framework, you need to pray over the results. Always leave room for the Holy Spirit to direct and guide.ACTION STEPIf you need to see an example, I'd love for you to join me at the Now, Next, Not Yet workshop. I'll also show you what to do with all those ideas after you have ranked them...what's for now, what's next, and what's not yet. It's a free workshop that I'm hosting live on Aug. 22, 2024, or if you are listening after that, you can get the free recording. Just go to doanewthing.com/priority for all the details. And I promise, this is completely free with no sales pitch at the end. Thanks for joining me today. I hope I see you at the workshop, and that you'll bring a friend!RESOURCESNow, Next, Not Yet workshop - Sign up here!Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time. Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.Click here for details!

The number one issue I hear from writers and other Christian communicators is they have too many ideas and never know for sure if they are working on the right things. If that sounds like you, listen in to Episode 133 of Just One Simple Thing as you'll learn how a decision-making framework can help.Hello, friends!  If you are listening in real time in late summer, 2024, you might know that I have been on my regular summer break.  I'm glad to be back. I didn't do anything super exciting over the summer … busy at my full-time job and hanging out with my family and friends.   Many of you went to one of the amazing writers' conferences that happen over months when school is out. Whether it was your first time, or you are a conference veteran, the days and weeks afterwards can be hard.  You are pumped up and excited about all the possibilities. But you are also overwhelmed by…. all the possibilities. Even if you didn't go to a conference, I bet you still have a tornado of ideas swirling around in your head.Over the years, I've developed some strategies to sort through all the ideas and decide what is for now, what is next, and what is not yet.It all starts with a decision-making framework.  What is a decision-making framework?  It's a set of criteria and a systematic way of evaluating options, filtering the million ideas floating around in your head. Let's look at some of reasons why you need a framework.To make decisions at all. A decision-making framework can overcome that overwhelm … it helps you step back and gives you a basis for making sound plans.  To make better decisions. When we are making decisions from a place of overwhelm and stress, we usually make bad decisions. The framework takes away some of that bias and emotion because it is an objective evaluation based on specific criteria.To stop second guessing. When you've made an objective decision or prioritized your ideas based on a repeatable framework, you'll be able to move forward with confidence, and close the door on that second guessing.You invested a lot to go to that conference, and you don't want that investment to go to waste.  In his second epistle, John gives us a warning: “Be careful that you don't destroy what we've worked for, but that you receive your full reward.”  Don't let decision paralysis destroy all of the great ideas the Lord has given you.Action StepGather up some ideas that you have been considering - maybe it is a long list of things you learned at a conference, or that never-ending stream of brilliant ideas that overwhelm you. Then join me back here for the next episode when I'll teach you how to create your own decision-making framework.  If you went to a conference, be sure to send this episode to the friends you made there.  If you are overwhelmed, I bet they are too.  RESOURCESNow, Next, Not Yet:  A Framework for Setting Priorities that Stick – Join me for this free workshop where I'll share my own framework and how I use it.  Join our community in the free Facebook Group Plan & Play with Do A New Thing for support, encouragement, and follow up on your action steps.Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time. Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.Click here for details!

I say all the time that my favorite thing to do in my weekly tasks is writing my email newsletter. There's just something special about connecting directly with the Do ANew Thing Community. My friend Ruthie Gray agrees with me. She and I sat down recently and talked about ways you can nurture your audience through your email newsletter. Listen in to this fun conversation.Hello, friends, and welcome to Episode 132 of Just One Simple Thing! If you are a frequent listener, you know that I almost never have interviews on the podcast. I just don't have the bandwidth forthe extra work that comes with having a guest. BUT every once in a while, a fun opportunity comes along that I can't pass up. Ruthie Gray and I recorded a two-part conversation .... Half is on her podcast, Authentic Online Marketing, and half is here. You can listen to them in either order, but this half has some specific ideas for what to put in your email newsletter. So listen in and then be sure to go listen to the other half of our conversation on Ruthie's podcast.Ideas For Your Newsletter:Personal reflectionsSpecific tips or tasks to help people take actionWays to engage with your communityCommunity member spotlightRecommended resourcesBook focus -suggested reading for your nicheFlash BackHot TopicsWhat I Learned This WeekA Word about Quantity:People are busy and won't read everything, even from their favorite sourcesMake sure it is sustainableOffer an opt-out during special promotionsRe-send with cautionA Word about UnsubscribesDon't take it personally ... if they unsubscribe, they aren't your peopleNatural pruning of your listBless and release!ACTION STEPConnect with Ruthie on her website, podcast, and Instagram. Wasn't that fun? Thanks for hanging out with me and Ruthie today. Be sure to head over to Ruthie's podcast, Authentic Online Marketing, to catch Part 1 of this conversation in Episode 109.RESOURCESAuthentic Online Marketing Podcast Episode 109 –Email Ideas (That Work) For Nurturing Your AudienceDid last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time. Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.Click here for details!

Are you frustrated by all the complicated marketing jargon and overwhelmed by sales pages, value propositions, and check-out carts? Well, I have good news for you! All marketing can be boiled down to just one simple thing. Want to know what it is? Dive in to Episode 131.Recently, I was working with a new client on articulating her brand.She's in a completely different field than me or the people I normallyserve ... not a writer, speaker, podcaster. A totally different field.I realized that her clients feel the same way as my clients. And what she offers her clients is the same thing I offer mine.The content and the methods are completely different, but the basic motivations are the same. In a world overrun with complicated strategies and tactics, we've made marketing way too hard. The truth is, at its core, all marketing boils down to one simple thing –connecting your audience's deep-felt need with your ability to help solve their problem.When you can keep that simple truth in mind, you'll attract the people who need what you offer, even if you don't have the snappiest conversion copy or slickest checkout cart.Let's talk about some practical ways you can do that.1. The first point is to keep your marketing relatable to your market.2. Another important aspect of effective marketing is using your audience's own words to describe their problems and emotions.3. If the key to good marketing is to understand your clients' need and how you can meet it, keep this attitude throughout the entire sales funnel.ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing, and grab your Business Thesaurus worksheet. Keep those words in front of you to reference often. Let's remember that marketing doesn't have to be scary or complicated. By connecting with your audience's deep-felt needs and showing how your offer can meet those needs, you can build connections and drive results. Thanks for tuning in today. I hope you meet me back here next time, and bring a friend.RESOURCESPlan & Pray with Do A New Thing –Facebook group where you can find the Business Thesaurus worksheetDid last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time. Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.Click here for details!

Have you ever thought about the difference between goals and priorities? Did you even recognize that there IS a difference? Join me in Episode 130 of Just One Simple Thing as we dive into this idea. We'll talk about the difference, what happens when they are aligned, and what to do when they can't be aligned. Shall we?Hello, friends! Today, I want to loop you into a conversation that's been happening in my membership, The Honor Circle, AND in some real life circles where I have been hanging out. It's this idea of the difference between goals and priorities, and, specifically, what to do when your goals and priorities are not aligned.Goals are the targets we set for our ministries or businesses.  They drive us forward, giving us purpose and direction. They are born out of the passion the Lord has given us for our message.Life's priorities are the realities we face.  They often dictate how much time and energy we can devote to our goals.  Aligning goals with life's priorities becomes a frustrating tightrope walk. You're torn between pursuing your dreams .... The dreams that God has given you ....and fulfilling your responsibilities, which have also been given to you by God. It's a dilemma many of us face, isn't it? We can all agree that life is so much easier when our goals align with our priorities. We have clarity, balance, and consistent progress. But what do we do when our goals and life's priorities don't match up?First, we can practice patience and give ourselves grace.  It's okay to reassess our goals and adjust our expectations as life unfolds. Secondly, we can embrace flexibility and creativity in our approach.  Pro tip .... Keep a 20-minute List handy ... a list of quick but productive things you can knock out whenever you find a few unexpected minutes. You'll find more ideas about this way back in Episode 11. It's also something we work on in our monthly free Plan & Pray sessions. And finally, let's prioritize self-care and rest.  It may sound funny to say I'm working hard to rest, but I know you other go-getter Jesus girls totally get it.You'll never NOT feel a little guilty that you aren't doing more for this dream that God gave you, because there will ALWAYS be more to do. But when God called you to this dream, He also knew your priorities.  ACTION STEPPut a circle around the last Saturday of every month. That's when we have our monthly Plan & Pray or Quarterly Strategic Planning sessions. Keep an eye on my email newsletter or social media to get connected. Thank you for joining me today on Just One Simple Thing. If you have a friend who is also struggling with the balance between goals and priorities, please share this episode with her. You'll be glad you did, and so will she.RESOURCESEpisode 11 How to Make 10 Minutes MatterPlan & Pray Facebook GroupBuild A Better Quarter Strategic Planning sessionsDid last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time. Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.Click here for details!

Have you created your plan for this month?  How do you know if it's a good plan, or a frustrating one that will keep you from moving forward?  In Episode 129 of Just One Simple Thing, I'm sharing the four things I look for when I review plans for my clients.As I am recording this, we are at the start of the 2nd quarter of 2024. I can't believe the first quarter is over!  In this quarter of the Honor Circle, we are going back to the basics of creating solid plans to move our goals forward. I just finished reviewing everyone's plans and giving personal feedback. I thought it might be helpful to share with you guys what I look for when I review plans, and some of the feedback I've given. So you can review your own plans for the month Take a look at your plans for the month andmake sure your actions support your priorities The plan is not unnecessarily complicatedIt can actually all get done, and predecide what will drop off if things go haywireAnd your plan fits into your life and is it good for your life? ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook Group, Plan and Pray with Do A New Thing, and grab my Monthly Plan worksheet. If you are unsure about your plans and want a professional review, I'd love to do that for you. Click here to sign up!  I'll get personal feedback to you within 48 hours.  RESOURCES: Personal Plan Review sign upDid last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time. Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.Click here for details!

You've heard the question before … you've probably asked it yourself.  If not now, when? But what are you really asking when you say that?  It could be one of three things, depending on where you are with your ministry or business.  In Episode 128 of Just One Simple Thing, we explore the rallying cry, the desperate prayer, and the honest question.I know that stickers are a trendy marketing tool.  I found a great designer who gets my vibe and she's developed a whole bunch of stickers for me.  Kelly was sharing some of her designs on social media and I saw one that I loved.  It said “If not now, when?” Kelly re-created that sticker in my brand colors, and I used it in a promotion at a conference last fall, and in the Do Your Thing retreat swag and at home boxes. As I was handing out those stickers, it hit me that you could ask that question in a lot of different ways at different stages of your ministry or business.  And they are all ways that lead to a deeper understanding of God's purpose in your current situation.  “If not now, when?” can be a rallying cry, a desperate prayer, or an honest question.First, a rallying cry.  When you first started, you may have asked the question then … if not now, when?  There's no time like the present!  It motivates you to take those first actions that will lead to clarity in God's calling.  If you aren't careful, that rallying cry can carry an undertone of hustle culture. Like if you don't do it right now, you'll never have another chance, so sacrifice everything to follow this dream. And it can lead to the second way we think of this question.A desperate prayer.  Lord, if not now, WHEN will you bring growth and success?  I see it happening for other people …. When is it going to happen for me?  Friend, if you are hearing those thoughts in your head right now, I want you to shut off your social media, close your laptop, and invite the Lord into those emotions. God definitely wants to use you.  He has gifted you with skills, abilities, resources, and a message that He wants to use in ways that maybe you haven't imagined.  Sit with Him and let Him unfold that vision in your heart.  It may be more simple.  It may be more grand.  But you won't know until you deal with those emotions with the Lord.Then, you'll be able to ask the honest question.  If not now, Lord, when?  What do you need to do in me before I can step into this calling?  Where do I need to grow? What do I need to learn?  After evaluating it honestly, you may find that the when IS now.  It may be time to take that first step, or the next step towards the vision God has given you.  But you'll be able to do it without the hustle or the desperation. ACTION STEPFirst, head over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing , and grab  your Honest Questions worksheet.  It will help you think through all those things I mentioned.  And second, check out my group program, The Honor Circle.  In the program, you'll be surrounded by other ladies with a dream that are honoring all the work that God has given them to do.  And they are working through these questions just like you are. You can learn all about it here.Alright … that's it for this week.  Can you believe we are almost through the first quarter of 2024?  It's flying by. Be sure to invite some friends ++++++++++++++++++What if there was one place you could be in community with other women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full-time? There is, and it is open for registration now!The Honor Circle is a membership for Christian Women who have a big dream but little time, to honor all of the work God has given us to do. Click here for details and to get signed up!

Hey there. my friends. Let's dive deeper into this idea of community and see what happens when you connect with others on a deeper level, and how I have seen this play out in different parts of the Do A New Thing community.1. Connections between networks. Now y'all probably know by now that making connections between people is one of my favorite things. I love to connect one person's need with another person's solution. But I am only one person. In a thriving community, you get access to EVERYONE'S network.2. Over-the-top promotion for your projects.Most communities give you a chance to share about your latest work and people may check it out or make a comment or share it on their own social media to help you out. But in the very best communities, the support is over-the-top.3. Community offers comfort and confidence.Discouragement and loneliness come so easily in the online space. It's so hard to NOT look around and imagine lions surrounding you to take what you have you have given your heart and soul to gather. In community, encouragement is more than just peppy words. It is heartfelt belief in you and your message that reaches to your very soul. Friendship is more than checking in on a Voxer group. It's praying for your deepest needs and asking God to unlock his big picture plan in you. We see this every month in our Plan & Pray sessions.ACTION STEP:Look in the communities that you are a part of. Is there someone there that you can bless with one of these unexpected benefits? And if you aren't part of this type of community yourself, reach out to me. Let's talk about some of the ways you can connect with the Do A New Thing community. You can find the link to schedule a free call with me in the show notes.RESOURCES:Finding Home by Susan MaciasEmpty Nest Awakening by Ruthie GraySchedule a call with me++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Can an email list become a community? You bet it can! In Episode 126 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn how you can transform your email list into a vibrant community that nurtures, supports, and inspires.Welcome back, friends! In the last episode, we talked about some ways that you can promote your email opt-in freebie. But once you've had some people jump at the chance to get their hands on your valuable resource, what do you do with them? How do you develop the relationships that turn freebie-seekers into connected community-members? I have some ideas for you, but before we dive in, let's ground ourselves in the Word. In Romans 12:5 (NIV), Paul reminds us, "so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This simple truth highlights the community and belonging we all want to see within our online ministries and businesses, and gives us clues on how to foster it.Your email subscribers are more than just names on a list; they're individuals wanting connection, guidance, and encouragement.  Here are some practical steps to turn your email list into a thriving community:Step 1: Personalize Your CommunicationWhen crafting your emails, try to create authenticity and personal connection. Address your subscribers by their first names.  share personal stories, insights, and struggles from your own journey.Step 2: Foster Engagement Encourage interaction and dialogue by asking questions, inviting feedback, and sparking discussions within your emails.  When they feel heard and valued, they're more likely to engage and connect with you and each other.Step 3: Create Exclusive Content and OffersMake your email subscribers feel special by offering exclusive content, resources, or discounts that aren't available elsewhere. By providing unique value, you strengthen the bond between you and your community members.Step 4: Facilitate ConnectionFacilitate opportunities for your subscribers to connect with each other.Consider creating a private Facebook group or other online space where they can share ideas, offer support, and collaborate on projects.Step 5: Cultivate a Culture of EncouragementStrive to cultivate a culture of encouragement, positivity, and love within your community.  By being the hands and feet of Jesus in your interactions, you create a safe and nurturing space where women can flourish and grow together.  Remember, building a community takes time and patience. Be consistent in your efforts, stay true to your values and your voice, and trust God to work through your ministry or business to touch the lives of others.ACTION STEPReview your email communication strategy. How can you incorporate more personalization, engagement, and exclusivity to foster a deeper sense of community among your subscribers? Choose one practical step to implement this week and watch as your community grows and flourishes.And if you aren't already on my email list, you can join today to see all of these things in action. Just go to doanewthing.com/podcast and you'll find a place to sign up. I'd love to have you as part of the community.RESOURCES:Plan and Pray Facebook GroupSign up for my email list here++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Are you getting email sign ups from your subscriber opt-in freebie? You put a lot of work into it and it helps your audience solve a problem. But if you want to actually get people to sign up for it, you need to treat it like the valuable resource it is and give it a proper launch. Stay tuned for Episode 125 of Just One Simple Thing where you'll learn four ways you can launch your subscriber freebie.I think we've all been convinced of the importance of growing an email list, especially if you are not too keen on using social media to promote your ministry or business. But I often hear from people who say they have created an amazing subscriber freebie but no one is signed up for it.Crafting a great opt-in freebie and creating an easy, reliable way for people to sign up for it is only the first step. In order to actually get people to sign up, you have to treat it like the valuable product it is and give it a proper launch. Here are my best tips for launching your subscriber opt-in freebie.1. Find your launch team Prayerfully select a few people and ask them to help you promote your new freebie.Send them a copy and ask them to help promote it. One fun way to do this is to line up a newsletter swap. You promote their freebie in your newsletter and they promote yours in their newsletter.Make it easy for them to promote for you. Give them the URL where people can sign up, and one or two square graphics they can use. The easier you make it, the more willing they will be to help.2. Send it to your current subscribers Your subscribers have entrusted you with their email address and invested in your ministry or business. You should treat them like gold, because they are. Always send any new freebies to them first.  You can incentivize them to share by offering a special bonus.   3. Mention your freebie in your social media and guest post biosSometimes we spend too much effort in our bios telling people what we do, instead of giving them an opportunity to experience a taste of it themselves. Your new opt-in freebie should be mentioned in your social media bio with a link to opt in.4. Promote your freebie on social mediaCreate a couple of Instagram and Facebook posts about your amazing freebie and schedule them out over the next few weeks.  Schedule your promos once a week for the first month, then once a month for a few months after.ACTION STEPChoose just one of these ideas and use it to promote your opt-in freebie. Hint: The easiest one is to send it to your current subscribers and incentivize them to share it. If you post about your freebie on social media, be sure to tag me @doanewthing so I can share it for you!You worked hard creating something special for your audience. Now it is time to get it in their hands! I hope this episode made it easier for you to do that. Join me back here  for the next episode, where we will talk about turning those subscribers into a community.RESOURCESYou can see the Facebook ad for my subscriber freebie here!++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Are you constantly second-guessing yourself? Unsure of your next steps or the direction you should head? So were some of the women who attended the Do Your Thing retreat recently. In Episode 124 of Just One Simple Thing, I'm sharing my closing message from the retreat. I hope it encourages you like it encouraged all of us there.Sometimes God brings together the perfect storm of people, place, and revelation to create a beautiful moment of clarity. I feel like that is what He did for us at the Do Your Thing retreat, my annual getaway for Christian women in ministry and business to focus on whatever needs doing. We had an amazing time and God really showed up for us during the weekend.I thought I'd give you a little taste of what we experienced by sharing my message from the closing session. I'll warn you now that the audio quality is not the best, I was emotional, and I was still recovering from a cough, so the recording is a little rough. I thought about recording it fresh, but I knew it would not have the same power as the original.ACTION STEPMaybe you need to pull out a card, write down all of the things distracting you, concerning you, or worrying you.  Then lay that card before the Lord.  If you are comfortable sharing, snap a picture of it and send it to me in a private message on social media @doanewthing. I'd be honored to pray for you.I hope this special episode encouraged and blessed you. We'll be back next week with our normal format. In the meantime, I'm praying for you aswell that God confirms in you His calling .... that He sets you resolutely in a certain direction.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Finally! I'm back! After almost two months of an unplanned break, I'm so happy to be back to creating Just One Simple Thing. In episode 123, I'm sharing four things I learned while I was sidelined and how I'm using them to kick off the year.You have no idea how glad I am to be back. It has been the most frustrating two months I've ever had! In mid November, I developed a cough and head cold. Not covid, strep or flu. Just a bad head cold. About the time I thought it was over, it migrated into bronchitis. And then it because pneumonia. And then I got covid. It's been awful.But we know that with God, nothing is wasted. Not even a never-ending cough. My podcast break was unplanned, but the Lord has been speaking to me. Here are four things I learned while I was sidelined.1. Some of the things I considered non-negotiable are actually very negotiable.2. Reducing down to the bare essentials shows me what is really important.3. My hope is in the Lord, not in a new schedule or routine.4. Rebuilding doesn't have to mean building the same thing again.It's been an uncomfortable period, but I think it was necessary to teach me these lessons. My expectations of this new season were unrealistic and would lead me right back in to a place of burnout. And maybe that is the biggest lesson of all. If you get unexpectedly sidelined, instead of whining (and I did my fair share of whining), look for the lessons the Lord is trying to teach you. It may be a redirection or refinement of where you thought you were headed.ACTION STEPRe-evaluate your non-negotiables. If push came to shove, what would you adjust? What priorities would you use to choose? You'll make better decisions about that if you do it now, rather than waiting until your brain is oxygen-deprived.Thanks for your patience during my break, and your kind messages checking on me. I'm grateful to be back, and grateful for you. This year is going to get better. I just know it. So invite some friends to come along with us!++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

While it's great to get encouragement and positive feedback, sometimes you need to hear the hard things. I call it “tough grace”. So here in Episode 122 of Just One Simple Thing, I'll share five tough grace thoughts from me and my friends. As we move towards the end of the year, you'll hear me and others start talking about year end reviews and starting to make plans for next year.Part of evaluating your year is getting very honest with yourself about where you have been and where you are headed.  And once you admit it, give yourself some grace and move on.So let's dive into these things you may need to admit as you review your 2023.1. Take care of the money stuff.  Even if your thing is more of a passion project than a business, the money things can get away from you in a hurry.2. Renew your mind because our thoughts really do matter and pave the way to our success.  If your year hasn't gone like you thought it would, it's easy to get discouraged and feel defeated.  Allow the Lord to speak truth into your situation ... to show you the learnings and the small steps of progress ... the ways He has been with you all the way.3. Trying to push through when you are tired rarely yields the results you want.  Sometimes you have to push through to make a deadline.  Making that a way of life rarely yields the results you want.4. Progress may be slow when life is full.  We all have to make decisions about where we spend our energy and when life is full, we may not be able to focus on the dream work like we want to.5.  You can't expect results like a business when you treat it like a hobby.  You have to adjust your expectations to match your effort. Or find a way to ramp up your effort to match your expectations. Okay .... I hope this hasn't been a downer episode for you. We've talked about some tough things. But don't forget the grace part. Give yourself a heavy dose of it, learn from where you are, and carry those lessons forward with you.ACTION STEPGrab your calendar and make an appointment with yourself to do your year end review and annual planning. If you want to plan your year with me, circle January 6th on your calendar and watch for details on my social media and in my newsletter. And speaking of my newsletter, are you a subscriber? It's is a unique combination of encouragement, exclusive subscriber discounts, and resources chosen just for you. Subscribe by going to my website at doanewthing.com, scroll down to the bottom of the home page, and sign up to get my best to-do list tips. I'd love to have you as part of the Do A New Thing community.RESOURCESCindy Yorks His GPS for Your SOS PodcastErica Goode Coaches, Consultants + Money PodcastErika Millard Get Comfy With Numbers PodcastMelissa Dickey Empty Nesting On Purpose PodcastCathy Lawdanski @retired_empty_nester IGGrace Workman Beautiful Art and Meaningful Gifts+++++++++If you don't have time to sit down and journal every day, but you want the benefits of journaling, I've got you covered. The one year, line-a-day Move Forward Journal has small spaces to write just a sentence or two each day. You'll cycle through each month and start seeing God's faithfulness and your progress unfold in just a few weeks.Learn more about the Journal here!

As we head into November, there is one thing on the minds of online businesses and ministries .... It's not turkey or dressing. It's “what will I do about Black Friday??” Join me for Episode 121 of Just One Simple Thing where you'll learn three ways to maximize your Black Friday, and two ways to stand out in the noisy crowd.Hey friends! Welcome back to Just One Simple Thing, where we are motoring towards the end of the year. It will be here before you know it!Black Friday isn't just a day now ... it's a whole week. And then you tack on Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. It's enough to make your head spin. But let's simplify the whole thing with a few tips and two ways that you can stand out among the crowd.1. Don't feel like you have to offer major discounts, especially if you are a service-based business. Cutting the price on your regular offers devalues them, and if you get a big response, delivering on all of those cut-price sessions could be draining for you. Instead, try adding bonuses to your regular offers that increase their value or you can go the other way ... a mini-version of your regular offer to give people a taste of what you do and how you can help.2. Create a signature Black Friday offer.My core audience expects it and plans to purchase that weekend so they get the best deal.3. Leverage affiliate promotions.One easy way to do this is to create a gift guideSo you have a great offer in mind ... but with all the noise, how do you stand out in the crowd?1. Tease your offer in advance.If you catch their attention before all of the noise starts, they'll be watching for your email so they can jump on it.2. Make it personal.Segment your email list based on previous interactions and send different emails to each segment, addressing their specific pain points and how your offer can help.And finally, as just one word of caution ...As you make your Black Friday plan, keep in mind the other things you want to do during that week and the Thanksgiving weekend.Think ahead about how much time you really want to spend during the weekend when you plan your promotions.ACTION STEPLook at what you already have available and how you might promote it over the big holiday weekend. Can you turn it into a signature annual offer? When you decide what to do, tease it on your social media. Be sure to tag me so I can cheer you on AND share the amazing things you come up with!Thanks for hanging out with me today. I don't know about you, but things feel really unsettled all around me. I'm praying that by keeping things simple, we can find peace in the chaos and use our gifts to bring peace to others as well. If you're in on that, send me a DM and let me know! That would be a huge blessing to me.RESOURCESGo-Getter Jesus Girls Gift Guide+++++++++If you don't have time to sit down and journal every day, but you want the benefits of journaling, I've got you covered. The one year, line-a-day Move Forward Journal has small spaces to write just a sentence or two each day. You'll cycle through each month and start seeing God's faithfulness and your progress unfold in just a few weeks.Learn more about the Journal here!

Y'all know I'm a big advocate for doing quarterly planning for your ministry, business, or even just for life in general. But planning for the last quarter of the year has some extra things you need to think about. Join me for this super short episode to learn the two questions you need to be asking at the end of the year.It happens every year. October gets here and we are surprised that it is already the last quarter of the year.Last weekend, I met with some members of The Honor Circle for our quarterly planning time. They have been working their plans all year and seeing the benefits that come from consistently working on the most important things.Our planning took on a little different vibe this time as we looked towards the end of the year. I asked the ladies a couple of important questions as they framed up their plans for the last quarter. And I thought they might help you as well, so let's dive into them.1. What can you do to finish the year well?And finishing well does not necessarily mean killing yourself to catch up on work you haven't been able to do all year.  "Finishing well" might mean taking the first few steps because making some progress is better than making none.  Finishing well also means you need to take into account all of the things you have on your plate this season. 2. What can you do to set yourself up for success next year?Start by looking back at the fourth quarter last year. How did it go? Were there lessons you can learn from the way things went? If you can name the things that derailed you then, you keep them from happening again.  Another way to set yourself up for success is to think ahead about what you want next year to look like. Themes you want to cover in your content, programs you want to start, products you want to develop. You'll be miles ahead next year if you start being intentional about those things now.That's it! Two simple questions. What can you do to finish the year well? And what can you do to set yourself up for success next year? I told you it would be super short this time!ACTION STEPGrab a sheet of paper or your journal and write the answers to those two questions. I'd love for you to share what finishing well will look like for you. Shoot me a DM on FB or IG @doanewthing and let me know!Thanks for being here with me for this quick little episode. If you are listening to this in real time at the beginning of October, hop over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing. I have a lot of exciting things planned for the end of year. The Looking Back to Move Forward challenge, Build A Better Year annual goal planning workshop, the Do Your Thing Retreat ... hang out in the Facebook group to get all the info!RESOURCESDo Your Thing Retreat –My annual “get it done” working retreat. Join us for a weekend designed to support and encourage you as you do whatever needs doing in your ministry or business!+++++++++If you don't have time to sit down and journal every day, but you want the benefits of journaling, I've got you covered. The one year, line-a-day Move Forward Journal has small spaces to write just a sentence or two each day. You'll cycle through each month and start seeing God's faithfulness and your progress unfold in just a few weeks.Learn more about the Journal here!

It's great to see numbers and sales rack up, but as a creative, it's helpful to have a visual representation of your progress. In Episode 119 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn four fun ways to keep your eyes literally on the prize.I've been traveling some lately and it's nice to be home.  When I'm traveling, I start off focused on the destination. I want to get there and get off the road. But shortly, I start looking for the mile markers. Those markers tell me how far I've gone, and how far I have left to go.In Jeremiah 31, God was talking about gathering his nations that had been dispersed, and he said, “Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went. Let's talk about a few ways you can create visual markers for your business or ministry to reflect the progress you are making.1. The classic kanban chart: The chart is divided into three sections: To Do, Doing (or In Progress) and Done. As you work on tasks, you move them from one section to another.  Not only does the kanban chart help you see progress, it also is an accountability tool. Keep your eye on that Doing section. If you start accumulating things there that you have started, but not finished, you know it's time to focus on actually finishing things to make real progress.2. Put a name to a numbers goal: I had a goal to talk to 50 new people. After each call, I put the name on a sticky note and put the note on a big poster board. If the call resulted in an ongoing interaction, I put a check-mark on the sticky note. This process could have turned into a numbers game with a dopamine hit for every check mark.   With the poster board near my work area, I often prayed over the names. It reminded me that my work isn't about growing numbers. It's about helping actual people with their problems using my expertise.3. Use your progress to motivate people to be part of something important: During registration for the Do Your Thing retreat, as people sign up, I put their name on the floor plan of the house where we are staying, and share that on my social media. When they can picture themselves staying in a specific room, they want to be part of it. 4. Make a thermometer graphic: This seems to work especially well for sales or fundraising goals, because it makes people feel like their contribution, no matter how large or small, is part of making something special happen.When your destination still seems far away, look at your markers and see that thus far, the Lord has helped you, and be encouraged that He will help you to the next marker.ACTION STEPPick one of these visual markers and find a way to use it with your own goals. Snap a picture and share it on social media. Be sure to tag me @doanewthing so I can cheer you on!  Thanks so much for listening in. I'm so grateful for every person who listens, shares, or leaves a review. Those things are an encouragement in a space that can feel very lonely, and I appreciate your generosity.  RESOURCESDo Your Thing Retreat –Registration is open for the January, 2024 retreat!Episode 54: Ten Creative Ways to Use Sticky NotesMove Forward Journal –One year line-a-day journal+++++++++If you don't have time to sit down and journal every day, but you want the benefits of journaling, I've got you covered. The one year, line-a-day Move Forward Journal has small spaces to write just a sentence or two each day. You'll cycle through each month and start seeing God's faithfulness and your progress unfold in just a few weeks.Learn more about the Journal here!

Are you in a program that has group coaching or mastermind calls? Are you making the most of that opportunity? Listen in with me on Episode 118 of just one simple thing, and you'll learn four ways to supercharge your group experience.Let's talk a  little bit first about the difference been masterminding and group coaching.  We often use these terms interchangeably, but they are really two distinct types of interactions. Group coaching is led by the coach.  A mastermind is led by the group.In group coaching, the coach may have a specific topic to cover or a question to answer posed by a group member.  They may teach by asking questions and leading group to their own answers. In a mastermind, the conversation can be more free-flowing.  There is often one person on the “hot seat” and everyone else offers input and insight into an issue based on their own experience.  Now that we understand the difference between group coaching and masterminds, that leads into our first tip for making that most of them.Know what type of group interaction it is. If you aren't sure, ask the leader. Prepare for your  mastermind hot seat.  Remember that the hot seat is ALL about YOU, and it can be the single most valuable source of ideas and direction.Help the person on the hot seat get to the heart of the issue by asking pointed questions and reframing the problem.  Sometimes the most casual comment can make all the difference.  Group coaching is NOT all about you.  If you coach asks for suggestions on questions she could answer during your group coaching session, this is the time to ask some of the bigger picture questions that may be applicable to several others in the group.So there ya go … group coaching is driven by the coach and all about what you learn from her.  Masterminds are driven by the participants and how they can learn from each other.ACTION STEPGive a shoutout to your group on social media and tag me so I can learn what y'all are up to. Speaking of social media, are you following me there? If not, find me on Instagram and Facebook @doanewthing.  I often use that space to expand on the podcast topic and go a little deeper. I can't wait to meet you there.RESOURCESDo Your Thing Retreat – My “get-it-done” retreat opens for registration soon, so head over there to get your name on the priority list! ++++++++++++++++++What if there was one place you could be in community with other women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full-time? There is, and it is open for registration now!The Honor Circle is a membership for Christian Women who have a big dream but little time, to honor all of the work God has given us to do. Click here for details and to get signed up!

Are you ready to join with other creatives and entrepreneurs in a membership program? There are a lot of things to consider before you join one, so listen in to Episode 117 where you'll learn five things you need to know before signing up.After a summer of fun and family (and maybe a little work!) it's time to start looking at the last part of the year and make a plan for finishing the year strong. One part of your plan may be to join a membership program. There are a ton of them out there, each with a little different twist, and you'll see most of them open up this time of year for new members.But let's assume that you've decided that joining a membership would be helpful as you make the push towards the end the year. How do you decide which one is best for you?Now, full disclosure .... I do have a membership program called the Honor Circle and I'll share about it throughout this episode. I'd love to have all of you join us in the circle, but it may or may not be the right fit for you.Let's look at the some of the key things to consider as you choose.1. Is the program a fit for your faith and values?Make sure it's not going to put you in conflict or make you uncomfortable.2. Is it designed for the stage that you are in?Information and training provided may not apply to you and it would be a waste of money.3. Is it a membership or a mastermind? And which of those are you looking for?Membership is content-driven and tends more towards serving up training and information.Mastermind is relationship-driven and focuses more on community. It gives the members opportunities to get specific input from each other and from the leader on issues in their business.4. Are you able to use the resources that are provided?Do the meeting times fit in your schedule?5. Does it fit in your budget?The more expensive programs tend to be smaller and have more personal input.  Less expensive programs tend to be larger with less one on one.With all the membership and mastermind options available, there is surely one out there right for you.ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing. I've created a worksheet you can use to compare different programs. I'd also love for you to check out my group program, The Honor Circle, and see if it is a fit for you.Thanks for hanging out with me today. I bet you have some friends who are thinking about joining a membership so maybe you could share this episode with them? They would thank you, and so would.RESOURCESThe Honor Circle –A group program for Christian women building their God-inspired dream with working full-timeUplift Mentormind –Mastermind + Coaching for Christian Business WomenChristian Woman Business Podcast Epsiode 111–5 Problems a Business Mastermind Can Help You Solve ++++++++++++++++++What if there was one place you could be in community with other women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full-time? There is, and it is open for registration now!The Honor Circle is a membership for Christian Women who have a big dream but little time, to honor all of the work God has given us to do. Click here for details and to get signed up!

There is a ton of information out there about creating a social media content plan. But content is only half of the social media equation. The other half is the most overlooked part of growing a social media presence. Wanna know what it is? Join me for Episode 116 of Just One Simple Thing.Welcome back, friends! We are spending this month talking about social media. It's one of the most common questions I'm asked. In fact, one of my clients asked me just this week. How much should I post on social media to grow my ministry or business?It's not surprising that many people want to limit their time on social media. Much of it has become a toxic, triggering place.But engagement is not just randomly scrolling through your feed and sprinkling likes around. It's also not sending spammy DM's to every new follower. And it doesn't have to take hours every week.Let me share some of my favorite engagement tips that are genuine, strategic AND productive.1. Engage at all levels2. Use Comments and Likes strategically3. MessageRemember that social media is meant to be social ... people don't want to be marketed to. But they do want to feel noticed, that you understand their struggles, and that you have a solution.4. GroupsDivide your FB groups into 2 categories: Interaction and Reference. Make a schedule to show up in your interaction groups weekly.Let's all go out and make social media fun again. It takes great content AND consistent engagement.If you want to get more detail, check out my upcoming live masterclass, Simplify Your Social. It includes a quiz to determine your Social Identity, tells you your target number of posts, stories, and videos depending on your identity, and more than 50 ideas to get you off the blank page. Visit doanewthing.com/simplify for all the details.ACTION STEPPractice your social media engagement by snapping a screen shot of this episode where ever you are listening. Post it on your social media and tell me your favorite way to engage. I promise to share it if you tag me @doanewthingRESOURCESSimplify Your Social –Create a custom social media plan based on your Social Identity ++++++++++++++++++What if there was one place you could be in community with other women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full-time? There is, and it is open for registration now!The Honor Circle is a membership for Christian Women who have a big dream but little time, to honor all of the work God has given us to do. Click here for details and to get signed up!

How often should I post on social media? It's a question that everyone who is building a business or ministry online has asked at one point or another. And no matter what the gurus say, the answer is not the same for everyone. In Episode 115 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn four things that can determine how  much time you need to spend promoting on social media. If you are a regular listener, you know that the podcast has been on a break for a couple of months. I've enjoyed the time off, but I'm glad to get back here with you. You'll probably notice a few changes.I'll be releasing a new episode every other week instead of every week.Instead of having fully scripted episodes, I'm gonna try to work just from an outline.Let's dive into the topic for today .... How often do you need to post on social media?I want you to know that Social media is A way to promote your business, but it is not the only way. For some people, social media is a toxic, triggering place. And the right choice for you may be to stay away from it. BUT, if that is the choice you feel led to, you'll need to invest your time and energy into other ways to grow. Through referrals, collaborations, good SEO ... there are a bunch of other ways. And if you need some ideas OTHER than social media for getting eyeballs on your message, check out my five-day email challenge, Rocket Your Reach, to learn how to create a visibility plan that doesn't necessarily require social media. You can learn more about it at doanewthing.com/rocket.Now let's talk about what goes into deciding how much you need to post. There are four things to consider.What type of ministry or business do you have?One-on-one coaches or service providers need less social mediaIf you are more based on selling courses or products, you depend on volume and need to build a larger following to support salesHow many followers do you have?When you are starting, focus more on authentic, organic engagementAs you get larger,those raving fans and partners will create engagement for you and you can focus on establishing your expertise through valuable contentHow many hours per week can you spend on social media?The more time you can spend, the more you can do, BUT be sure you are getting a return on those hoursHow do you feel about social media?If it is toxic for you, limit your time there, BUT be sure to find other avenues to increase your visibilityIf you love interacting on social, make the most of something that you love!If you want to get more detail, check out my upcoming live masterclass, Simplify Your Social. It includes a quiz to determine your Social Identity, your target number of posts, stories, and videos depending on your identity, and more than 50 ideas to get you off the blank page. Visit doanewthing.com/simplify for all the details.Join me back next week when we'll talk about the most overlooked part of your social media plan.RESOURCESRocket Your Reach –Create a visibility plan to increase your reach and impactSimplify Your Social –Create a custom social media plan based on your Social ++++++++++++++++++What if there was one place you could be in community with other women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full-time? There is, and it is open for registration now!The Honor Circle is a membership for Christian Women who have a big dream but little time, to honor all of the work God has given us to do. Click here for details and to get signed up!

Are you taking a summer break from your ministry or business?  While you might want to just drop everything and head for the sun, a little bit of planning can make for a better break and a better return from your break. Listen into Episode 114 of Just One Simple Thing as I share the things I'm doing to prepare for my upcoming break and get ready for when I come back.As I record and air this at the end of May, this episode is the last one before my break in June and July. So I thought I'd share with you some tips for preparing for a summer break and along the way, I'll share exactly what my break is going to look like, so you'll know what to expect.1. Consider your goals for your break:Reflect on the purpose of taking a break and what you hope to achieve.2. Decide what you will do and what you won't:Use a spreadsheet or similar method to outline activities.Consider important tasks before and after the break.3. Make a financial plan for your break:Evaluate your finances and ensure you have sufficient passive income or savings to cover expenses.4. Inform your team and be clear about what you want them to do during your break:If you can't afford to pay them during the break, provide notice well in advance. Consider if your team members also wish to take a break.5. Inform your audience:Let your audience know about the upcoming break and when they can expect for you to be back.6. Make a plan for coming back:Consider making changes or pivots during the break.Pray and seek fresh directions for your ministry or business.Listen in to the episode to learn what my break will look like!ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan and Pray with Do A New Thing and grab your Summer Break Planning work sheet. I hope this episode has been helpful for you and I really look forward to being back with you in August. In the meantime, revisit some of the old episodes you may have missed.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Summer is right around the corner, and maybe your mind has already started wandering in that direction. How will you keep up with your ministry or business with the kids out of school, changing routines, and a body of water somewhere calling your name? Join me for Episode 113 of Just One Simple Thing where you'll learn four strategies to keep your goals on track for the summer.Among my Christian business and ministry friends and clients, I find there are two types of summer people ... some who shut it down and take a break during the summer, and others who try to keep the wheels turning while navigating all the challenges that summer can bring. And even some, like school teachers or staff, or homeschooling mamas, who use the break to lean into their work a little extra. This episode is for that second group ... some practical tips and strategies to keep you focused on your goals, while still enjoying the fun summer times.First strategy: make sure your goals for the summer are realistic.Before you run yourself ragged, adjust your expectations to fit easily into your summer plans.Second strategy: automation and systematization.Small tweaks can have a big impact on your productivity, the power of delegation and getting some help.Third strategy:  the power of delegation and getting some helpYou'll not only lighten your workload but also foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration within your ministry or business.Fourth strategy:  Find creative ways to involve your family in your work. Your family members may find new passions and skills to develop.Vacations and changing schedules may disrupt our routines, but they don't have to derail our goals. By applying these four strategies—set realistic expectations, automation or systematization, delegation, and family involvement—we can still have fun over the summerwhile staying firmly on track.ACTION STEPLay out your summer on a calendar and make sure your summer goals are realistic. Then list out three ways you can use these strategies to reach those goals. When the leaves start changing in the fall, you'll look back and be proud of what you've accomplished in your work and in your family.I'd love to know what you are planning to do for the summer. Are you one of those who keep the wheels rolling or are you thinking about taking a break? Find me on IG or FB @doanewthing and let me know.RESOURCESIf you need help with those systems and automations, check out my friend Shannon Baker. She'll do an assessment of where you are now, and give you a plan to set everything up. You can find her on Instagram or at her website.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Have you ever been at a place where you didn't feel like you had any goals? You are just rocking along, keeping up with your work, and content with where you are? Listen in to Episode 112 of Just One Simple Thing where you'll learn the benefits of having goals that are not related to big projects or results, and how they can keep your work fresh and fun.A few months ago, I was doing some accountability check-ins, which happens to be one of my favorite things to do. Holly gave me a good report. Things were going really well in her business.  Holly asked an interesting question. “Is it okay to not have any goals?”Hmmm. I had to think about that for a minute.I said, It's okay to not have any major projects or big goals. You don't have to always be creating something new, or stretching to push farther than you've ever been before. It's okay .. healthy even ... to rest between runs. But you do need to have something that you are working towards, even if it is little .... A small improvement in a work process, learning a new skill, or intentional steps to grow your network.Working towards goals accomplishes a lot more than just the results you achieve. Let's explore some of the benefits:1. Stewardship: As a Christian, you are called to be a good steward of the resources and talents God has given you. This includes your business.2. Faithfulness: Without goals, it's easy to become complacent and miss out on opportunities for growth. Setting goals allows you to challenge yourself while honoring God through your work.3. Kingdom Impact: We're called to be like salt and light in the world, serving and making a real difference in people's lives. When you set goals for your business, it's a chance to line up your efforts with God's purposes and find ways to bless others.4. Personal Development: Setting goals can enable you to continually learn, develop new skills, and deepen your relationship with God.When you are feeling like things are going great and you are searching for motivation beyond keeping things moving day to day, look at those four things and find ways to make progress in those areas. Stewardship - How can you find new ways to use the resources you have?Faithfulness –Have you gotten complacent and stopped doing the things that really light you up?Kingdom Impact –How can you make a bigger impact in the things you are already doing?Personal Development – What new skills or tools can you focus on to improve your operations? ACTION STEPIf you feel like you are in a good place in your ministry or business and don't have any big projects or major goals to work on, head over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray With Do A New Thing and grab a copy of the Micro Goals Worksheet.  Keep your eyes open for an episode where I'll share what I'm doing to prepare for my summer  break. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen so you don't miss a thingRESOURCESRocket Your Reach –Create a visibility plan to keep your business moving during the summer without being chained to your computer with this five-day email-based mini-course.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

In uncertain economic times, you might feel like you are taking hits from things you can't control. But there is one thing that can keep you growing when the world's on fire, and it is totally under your control. That's to develop a reputation for delighting your audience through above-and-beyond customer service. Here in episode 111 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn three ways that you can create raving fans who will come back again and again.When something delights me, I am a loyal fan for life. Don't we all want clients and readers like me? People who come back time and time again because they are delighted by what we do? Through the years I have been in business, I have been blessed by people who have truly delighted me.  They have three things in common ... they are kind, generous and fair. These aren't just character traits of genuinely nice people. They are Biblical instructions on how we should conduct ourselves as Christians in the marketplace.  It is good for people to be kind and generous and to be fair in business. Psalm 112:5 (ERV)How do we display kindness, generosity, and fairness? .1. Show kindness by being there and being dependable.There is a lot to be said for just showing up. In the big things, like consistently producing content and learning opportunities for your audience, but even more importantly, in the small things.2. Be generous with your knowledge and your platform.Share your platform. Your peeps want to know you see them. Watch for how they are using your products or sharing your content, and acknowledge what they are doing.3. Display fairness by offering value above and beyond what is expected.Ask a lot of questions of your audience to understand exactly what they want. When you tailor what you offer to what your readers or clients want, you are sure to delight them. Someone who offers personal service that meets a specific need at a fair price is going to have people returning again and again.Kind, generous, and fair. Those guiding principles will help you weather the roughest economic storms. But that's not the reason we do it. We operate that way because it's the right thing to do. ACTION STEPLook at the people you follow and work with. Has someone delighted you recently? How can you emulate their kindness, generosity, and fairness? And while you are thinking about them, give them a shout-out to show how much you appreciate them. I want you to know how much I appreciate you! We quietly crossed more than 25,000 downloads of the podcast last week and I'm thankful for each person who has spent a few minutes here with me. Reach out and let me know you are listening so I can tell you personally.RESOURCESThese are some of the people who have absolutely delighted me with their products and services. Go get to know them:Ruthie Gray –Host the Authentic Online Marketing podcast, Instagram Coach and Newsletter StrategistEsther Littlefield –Host of the Christian Woman Leadership and Christian Woman Business podcast, business coach, and creator of the Uplift Mentormind.Holly Williams –Conversion ++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Have you ever taken a step you thought was the right one ... then it wasn't? Or maybe you've made decisions based more on FOMO than faith. Those are just two of the things my friend Avery Forrest and I talked about, along with a little fashion advice. So join me for Episode 110 of Just One Simple Thing.I'm so glad you are here because you are in for a treat! In the last episode, I shared part 1 of a conversation I had with my friend Avery Forrest a few months ago all about managing your capacity. If you missed that, head back to Episode 109 to learn the capacity equation and some thoughts on reframing your boundaries. But we talked about so much in that conversation, I couldn't leave all of it behind. So I've grabbed the best bits and put them all together for you here. It may sound a little choppy but I hope you'll get something from this discussion about making good decisions AND bad ones, FOMO, and managing seasons. In this episode, we discussed:What to do when you take a step and get ahead of GodHow to avoid getting too much on your plateMy two best tips for managing your capacity.You can't miss out on what God did not mean for you. ~ Avery ForrestI'm so thankful that God has put people like Avery in my life to help me wrestle through some of these rough spots that could derail me from His plan.ACTION STEPWe talked about the capacity management tool in this episode, so head over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab a copy for yourself.This little change of pace has been a lot of fun! I'd love to hear from you this week. What stood out to you during the episode? Snap a screen shot of the episode wherever you are listening and share it on social media. RESOURCESPastor Avery Forrest is a wife to her husband of 15 years and mother of two wild boys. She and her husband are the founding pastors of Anchor Point Church in Foley, AL. Avery spent the last two years coaching Christian female entrepreneurs for their mission in the marketplace through her podcast, mentorship program, and retreats. Recently, she stepped out of coaching into a full time position on the teaching and leadership team of their church. Her heart is for you to live in transformational relationship with God daily. She does this through preaching, teaching, and mentoring the people God has placed in her life. You can connect with Avery on Instagram. ++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

What do you do when your to-do list is longer than the space in your calendar? You might think you just need to figure out how to create more time in your day. But did you know that time is only ONE way you can manage your capacity? Join me for a special conversation in Episode 109 of Just One Simple Thing as I talk to my friend Avery Forrest to learn about the capacity equation and how God showed up on a physics test. Today's episode is a little different than normal. Last year, my friend Avery Forrest invited me to have a conversation about managing your capacity for her Christian Business Camp podcast. God had other plans for Avery and our episode never aired, but she graciously allowed me to use the audio so I could share it with you. If you've been trying to figure out how you can get it all done, I think you'll be encouraged by our conversation. Let's jump in. In this conversation, we discussed:The Capacity Equation: Capacity = Energy x (Time+Money+Experience)How God multiplies your capacityReframing our idea of boundariesThis was such a rich conversation. I love talking to Avery because she challenges me to lean into the Lord rather than depend on my own experience and knowledge. ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab your capacity worksheet. It will help you find realistic swaps you can make to increase your capacity and decrease your overwhelm.That was only half of my conversation with Avery. I'll air Part 2 in a future episode. Be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast wherever you listen so you don't miss a thing!RESOURCESPastor Avery Forrest is a wife to her husband of 15 years and mother of two wild boys. She and her husband are the founding pastors of Anchor Point Church in Foley, AL. Avery spent the last two years coaching Christian female entrepreneurs for their mission in the marketplace through her podcast, mentorship program, and retreats. Recently, she stepped out of coaching into a full time position on the teaching and leadership team of their church. Her heart is for you to live in transformational relationship with God daily.  She does this through preaching, teaching, and mentoring the people God has placed in her life. You can connect with Avery on Instagram.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

If you are a Words girl instead of a numbers geek, which I think most of you probably are, measuring what's working and what isn't might make your eyes glaze over. But I promise it doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. In Episode 108 of Just One Simple Thing, you'll learn the three types of information you should be tracking, and how to know if what you are doing is working.Over the last few weeks, we've been talking about taking the next big step in your ministry or business.How do you know if those things ... or ANYTHING ... are working? How do you know if you need to tweak it or head in a completely different direction?Data can show progress when the ultimate results are not there yet, and help us see the connection between our efforts and our results.Your data can keep you from giving up on things too soon, before you start seeing the results.Three types of data we need to look at.1. Lagging Indicators –these are usually the results we are looking for.You need to know before you start what your goal is for each strategy and figure out how to measure it.2. Leading indicators –these are the things you do that generate the results. When you can track leading indicators and correlate them to lagging indicators, you know how much effort it will take to get the results that you want.3. Intangible indicators –These are things that are difficult to measure, but worth noting so you can spot the trends.Those little accomplishments that help you know you are on the right track even if the numbers on the scale are not moving.Another way to think of it is that leading indicators are things that you do, lagging indicators are things that your audience or clients do, and intangible indicators are things that fill you up.ACTION STEPIf you are ready to decide on a few key indicators to measure, head over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab a worksheet that will help you determine your lagging, leading, and intangible indicators.I know that if you are a words girl, you may be feeling unsure about figuring this all out. If that's you, feel free to reach out to me on IG or FB @doanewthing and I'll be glad to see what I can do to help. RESOURCESRocket Your Reach –A self-guided course to create a visibility plan that grows your reach and impact without feeling overbearing, overworked, and overwhelmed.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Is the next step you want to take in your ministry or business so big that it scares you? So scary that you can't make yourself do it? In Episode 107 of Just One Simple Thing, I'll share three ways you can right-size that idea and make it just scary enough that it excites you again.Welcome back to Just One Simple Thing, where we are in the middle of a series about taking your next step ... not necessarily your first step, but the next one that is going to help you level up your ministry or business. Sometimes, that next step looks huge ... like, not even a step, but a mountain.We need to figure how to right-size that step so it fits into our life. When you are trying to grow while working full time or have other major things going on, you may not be able to do things the way everyone else does. In fact, right here and now, I give you permission to adjust, modify, or down-size your big idea. It's better to do it the way you CAN, than not do it at all.1. Limit the scope. You don't need all the bells and whistles, especially when you are just starting something new. Limiting the scope means cutting out anything that is not essential so you can focus on doing the important parts really well.2. Limit the scale.If the thing is too big, make it smaller. Make it more simple. Make it shorter.3. Limit the space. Limit the footprint it takes in your time, your finances, your capacity.Let me make this clear .... I'm not suggesting that you limit your dream, or limit what God can do through you. We aren't about small thinking that keeps you stuck. We ARE about making the steps doable so you can keep moving forward.Say you want to use Instagram to grow your influence and impact, but the thought of reels and carousels and lives and stories make you want to crawl back in your shell. You don't have to put it off any longer. You can limit the scope by focusing only on feed posts and stories to get started. Limit the scale by only posting to your feed three times a week. Limit the space by repurposing your other content into captions and using a scheduler to auto-post for you.ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab a free worksheet to help you right-size your next step.I'd love to hear from you this week. Which of the three tips ... Limit the scope, limit the scale or limit the space ... will help you most with an idea you have been toying with? Screenshot this podcast episode and share it on your social media. Be sure to tag me @doanewthing so I can cheer you on!RESOURCESPodcast in a Weekend course from Esther LittlefieldStories to Market Instagram workshop from Ruthie G++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

What is an influencer? Are you one? Are you trying to be one? Even if you don't identify yourself as an influencer, to grow your ministry or business, you need to be able to influence people. So let's learn how to ask for what we want, get people to say yes, and while we are at it, we'll peek in on an OG influencer in the Bible.We are in our Next Steps series. Maybe you've taken those first steps to establish your ministry or business and you are looking for the thing that will push you to the next level. Once you have the basics down, it becomes less about learning all the things and more about the behaviors and the way you operate to grow.In this episode, we'll look at influencing ... getting people to do what we want them to do.It all comes down to the way you ask .... to ask in a way that makes people want to say yes. Here are four ways to do that.1. Make it personalYour ask should show that you understand the person and what they need.Make sure it is something the person you are asking needs, and that your ask incorporates some of the language they use themselves to describe their need.2. Make it directA clear and direct ask lets people know your offer should be seriously considered.3. Make it easy We often unintentionally put up barriers that keep people from saying yes.4. Make it worth itIn addition to making the benefits of the ask clear and compelling, a little incentive can go a long way. It doesn't have to be huge.Going to the next level with your business or ministry will take a lot of yes's. But if you can make it personal, make it direct, make it easy, and make it worth it, you'll get all the yes's you need to meet your goals.ACTION STEPLook at the next ask you need to make. How can you apply just one of these principles to improve the likelihood of a yes? Well, we are halfway through our series on Next Steps. In the next episode, we'll talk about right-sizing that step into something that is doable to reduce overwhelm and confusion. I hope you'll join me then. And if these episodes have been helpful to you, I'd really appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review wherever you listen.RESOURCESTrust Your Own Voice: Growing Your Influence Through Confident Communication by Karen Laos++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Hey friends! Welcome back to Just One Simple Thing. With this episode, we are starting a new series about how to take your next step. I'm not talking about taking your first step ... we covered that way back in Episodes 8 -10. I'm talking more about the next step that is going to move you to a new place in your ministry or business. It may seem like a collection of odds and ends, but most of the things we'll cover in this series are easier to implement than you think and can make a big difference. I was recently listening to a podcast from Natalie Gingrich ... The Ops Authority. Natalie was sharing some spicy takes on advice she's heard from influencers she follows. Her comments on social media were especially interesting.  She said that service providers don't need a large social media following. Instead, they need to focus on making connections.You can listen to all of her comments on the Ops Authority Podcast, episode 191.The problem is that most of us are introverts.So what's an introverted communicator to do to grow her network?1. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.Nothing worth building comes easy. In order to grow your ministry or business AND yourself, you'll have to do hard things that are uncomfortable.2. Look for common ground instead of cold calls.As an introvert trying to connect, the biggest fear is that someone will think you are bugging them. But when you start with common ground, there is a natural attraction that makes the connection intriguing instead of inconvenient.If you want to learn more about making connections that will grow your ministry or business, check out Esther Littlefield's Consistent Clients Challenge.3. Find common ground in a community.Group conversations like this happen in masterminds, at conferences, around the table at writers guild meetings. If you are taking part in any of these things, don't sleep on the networking time.Find a structured networking event, where each person gets a chance to share something specific,I promise you will walk away with a new connection.  It may seem counterintuitive for an insecure introvert with imposter syndrome to go meet with a bunch of other people. I mean, isn't that where comparison and doubt can take hold? Maybe. But it's also where you realize you aren't alone on this journey ... where other people struggle with some of the same things you do ... where you have something to offer that may help someone else. Where the seeds of connection are planted.ACTION STEPGrab a sheet of paper and write down 5 people that you want to connect with. Then list what common ground you have and what groups or events you might experience with them.Make a plan to connect with at least one of them this week. Message me on FB or IG @doanewthing and let me know how it goes!That's the first of the Next Step series ... making connections, even if you are an introvert. Join me in the next episode, where we'll talk about how to influence people to do what you want them to do. Curious? Go grab a friend and meet me back here.RESOURCESThe Ops Authority Podcast Episode 191 –I'm Taking a StandConsistent Clients Challenge++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

If you ask me how I keep things organized, my answer would be one word. Trello. Join me for Episode 104 of Just One Simple Thing where you'll learn how I use Trello to helpme and my clients save time and stay on track.If you aren't very familiar with Trello, it's a visual organizer. Information is put on Cards, which are organized in Lists, and saved on Boards. You can assign people and due dates to cards, create checklists on a card, and It's super easy to move cards around between Lists and Boards. Now that you have a visual, let's talk about a few time-saving tips. One of my favorites are Labels. These are little colored bars at the top of each card. You can set each color to represent whatever you want it to, and toggle between just a small colored dash, and a longer bar with the text of the label.It's helpful if your colors mean the same thing across all your boards. For me, the black label always means the task is completely done. Red usually means something is on hold, or waiting for info, or otherwise stuck. Green might mean the VA has done it and it's ready for me to check.My other favorite time saver is Automation.  I mainly use Rules and Board Buttons. For Rules, you set up a trigger that then starts one or more actions. Board buttons are similar, except the trigger is a button that Trello puts at the top of your board and the automation will start whenever you click the button.Let's wrap this up talking about a few of my favorite boards that keep my business rolling.  My Weekly Plan board works with my To-Do List to keep me on track every week. I also have a Social Media board. Another favorite is the Do A New Thing Hub. This is where all the important info about my business belongs.There's also the Do A New Thing Team board, where I have all the projects and ongoing tasks that the VA's are working on, so I can assign things to them, monitor the progress, and make sure they are not waiting on anything from me.  On the Clients board, I have a list for each of my one-on-one coaching clients. The first card in each list has their contact information, and a checklist of all the elements of their coaching package, so I can check them off as we do each one. Then there is a card on the list for each of our coaching sessions with my notes from the session.And one of my recent additions .... The Strategy Six Pack. This is part of my Simple Strategy Solution that keeps me on track with my most important strategic plans, and also functions as an idea capture system.ACTION STEPIf you are already using Trello, try one of these tips to make it even more efficient and let me know how it goes. If you aren't using Trello yet, head to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab one of the Trello template boards I've linked there and get started. RESOURCESBuild A Better Quarter Workshop - learn to use the Strategy Six Pack Using Trello LabelsTrello AutomationBack Office Assessment by Shannon BakerFREE Define Call+++++++++++++++++++++++++++If you're frustrated because your business or ministry has you so overwhelmed, you may need an upgrade to your systems. Shannon Baker is just the person to help you. She assessed my business and found the gaps in my systems, suggested tools and tech to fix them, and created a prioritized plan of action. Visit Shannon here to schedule time and get a plan to improve your operations.

Still think Canva is just for creating nice graphics? Think again. Canva has continued to update their product so that it has a unique offering of branding tools, website, video, and document creation, automation, and of course, graphic design. In Episode 103 of Just One Simple Thing, we'll look at some of the best time-saving tools for content creators inside Canva.Hey friends! Welcome back to our Time-Saving Tools series. So far, we've looked at the AI program ChatGPT in Episode 101 and Gmail in Episode 102. In in this episode, we'll dive into our favorite program for quickly creating high-quality graphics ... Canva.Canva has become the go-to tool for content creators to generate the graphics they need for social media, websites, and products. But the more recent additions to Canva branch out from downloadable graphics to include websites, documents, presentation tools, and a long list of app integrations.So let's look into some of the best features that will save you time.We'll start with Brand Kits. Your brand kit includes your brand colors, fonts, and logos. When you create a brand kit in Canva, they become available to you throughout the platform.Another easy one is Templates. Canva comes loaded with thousands of templates you can use to get started on your design. But you can also create custom templates.Another really cool feature is Bulk Create. This auto-generates multiple graphics from a template and a spreadsheet.We could go on forever about all the fun graphic elements and tools for creating the graphics, but since we are focused mainly on saving time, let's move away from graphics creation to some of the newer tools.Like Canva websites. Canva recently rolled out this feature that allows you to publish your design as a website. You can start with a Canva website template, or create your own. It's super easy to build by dragging and dropping elements just like you do in a graphic, changing background colors, sizing images, and laying it out exactly how you want it.  It is great when you need a quick landing page for a product or event, an information portal or a client portal.Another new-ish feature is Presentations ... Canva's answer to Power Point and Keynote.There's another feature where you can invite people to join you live while you are presenting without using any other software (like Zoom or Teams) and you can go back and forth between your presentation and other tabs on your desktop.So those are some of my favorite time-saving features in Canva. And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Next time you are creating a graphic, scroll down to the bottom of the far left toolbar and click on Apps. There are tons of things there to explore.ACTION STEP Head over to Canva and try just one new thing you haven't done before. And let me know how it's working out for you. You can follow me @doanewthing on FB and IG. I'd love to see what you are up to.In the next episode, we'll wrap up the Time Saving Tools series with tips for using Trello ... my favorite project management tool. I'll see you then, and I hope you'll bring a friend.RESOURCESVisit the episode page here for links to instructions and tutorials for these features.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++If you're frustrated because your business or ministry has you so overwhelmed, you may need an upgrade to your systems. Shannon Baker is just the person to help you. She assessed my business and found the gaps in my systems, suggested tools and tech to fix them, and created a prioritized plan of action. Visit Shannon here to schedule time and get a plan to improve your operations.

How many emails do you get every day? It seems like I spend half my day in my email inbox. Thankfully, Gmail has some features that can actually save us time. Listen in to Episode 102 of Just One Simple Thing as I share my favorites.Welcome back to part 2 of our Time Saving Tools series! As I was preparing for this series, I did a poll on my Instagram stories asking which tools you'd like to learn more about. And would you believe ... Gmail was dead last!  Y'all are sleeping on Gmail. It has some built-in and add-on features that can save you tons of time. Let's talk about a few of my favorites. 1. Schedule Send- Allows you to pick a time in the future that your email will be sent. Very handy!2. Snooze- I can schedule them all to pop back to the top of my inbox later in the evening when I know I'll be able to read and respond. 3. Undo/Unsend-You may have noticed Gmail's Undo option flash by when you hit send, but the default only gives you five seconds to undo. Sorry, but at my age, my reflexes are not that fast! However, you can go to the settings and change the default to 30 seconds, which is more doable (or undoable!) for most of us.4. Templates-If you have emails with similar content that you send routinely, you can create a template of that email, then call up the template, adjust a few details, then send it off, instead of trying to re-type the whole thing.5. Snippets –Similar to Templates, Snippets allows you to quickly add commonly used text into an email.Our last two tips involve using folders and filtering to manage your inbox. If you listened to Episode 93 in the January Reset series, you know that I am not a big fan of having a lot of folders. However, there are a few things that are better kept all together and that's where labels, folders, and filters come in.6. Simple filtersThe first screen is where you tell it what you want to filter, either based on a from or to address, a word or phrase in the email, the size, etc. On the second screen, you select what you want to do with the filtered email. You can add a label, reply with a template, skip the inbox, and several other things.7. Filters with Alias emailIn a paid Gmail account, you can add up to 30 aliases for your main email address. Google recognizes the alias as the same email address and will put it in your inbox, unless you have a filter that says to put it somewhere else. However,if you have the free account, you can create aliases without any extra charges. Just add a plus sign to the first part of the email address, then a word after the plus ... like christa+subs@doanewthing.comSo those are my favorite Gmail time-saving tips, but if you search around, you will find tons of other ideas to automate and streamline your inbox.ACTION STEPPick just one of these tips and try it out.  Share your favorite tip on social media and tag me @doanewthing so I can be inspired by how you are using it. I hope you are enjoying this time-saving tools series. Do you have a friend who needs to save some time too? Be sure to share these episodes with her, so you both have more time for work AND play!RESOURCESVisit the episode page on my website for links to examples and tutorials for these tips.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++If you're frustrated because your business or ministry has you so overwhelmed, you may need an upgrade to your systems. Shannon Baker is just the person to help you. She assessed my business and found the gaps in my systems, suggested tools and tech to fix them, and created a prioritized plan of action. Visit Shannon here to schedule time and get a plan to improve your operations.

What's the hottest topic right now out in the online business space? If you said “ChatGPT” or another AI program, you are correct! It's what everyone is talking about. We are kicking off our Time Saving Tools series with 4 ethical ways you can use ChatGPT to make the most of your time. Curious? Keep listening!It's not very often that something dominates the conversation the way ChatGPT has the last few months. Since it came out late last year, everywhere you turn, people are talking about the AI-powered chatbot that generates human-like responses to written inputs. Opinions are strong ... people either love the idea or hate it.In this episode, I'm going to share four ways that I'm using ChatGPT.1. ChatGPT can be used as a research toolThe program is conversational ... you ask it questions or make a request, just like you would ask a person, and it responds.You do have to be careful about using ChatGPT for research, because it does not quote its sources unless you ask, and it will state things that are opinions with so much authority, that you think it is a fact, especially when you are dealing with cultural or political-type topics.2. ChatGPT can modify the tone of your writingIt's still your voice, but ChatGPT helps you change the tone to be more appropriate for your audience.3.ChatGPT can help you repurpose your contentInput your podcast episode script or blog post, and ChatGPT can create social media posts or an email promotion from the content you've already written. 4. ChatGPT helps you get off the blank pageIf the blank screen and blinking cursor are big barriers keeping you from making progress, ChatGPT can help you get started until your creative juices get flowing.Let me close with a few tips for using ChatGPT.  Remember that the chatbot is not really writing original content. It's aggregating existing content from the internet, and what it comes up with can be a fairly generic composite of the available information.It works better when you make small, incremental requests.The more broad and general the question, the more broad and general the answer.ACTION STEPGo to chat.openai.com and give it a try! Let me know what you think and how it works for you. This is just the beginning of our Time Saving Tools series. Over the next few episodes, I'll share some of my favorite ways that Canva, Trello, and Gmail streamline things for me so I can spend more of my time on the work I really love. Be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast wherever you listen so you don't miss a thing.RESOURCESThese are some of the resources that helped me think through the pros and cons of ChatGPT:AI Made Easy for Christian Business Owners –Free mini-class from Katie HornorChatGPT Has A Bias Problem –Business Insider articleHow to Use ChatGPT and Still Be A Good Person –New York Times article.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

It's the 100th episode of Just One Simple Thing, and we are celebrating by answering your questions. Stay tuned for my thoughts on co-laboring with God, figuring out what to work on first, and how much of your time you should  spend on promoting versus creating.It seems like only yesterday that I said I would rather stick a needle in my eye than start a podcast! But here we are ... 100 episodes and almost two years later. It turned out to be a good decision and a lot less painful than anything involving needles. I asked my listeners to send in questions for me to answer in this special episode and I received some great ones! In this episode, I'll answer these questions.From Carmen James –Certified Wellness Coach IG: @carmenjamesfitness Website: carmenjamesfitness.comHow do we co-labor with the Lord in our business, and how do we discern the voice of the Lord in our decision-making?From Toni Thrash –Life Coach IG @tonithrash Website: fortitudelifecoach.comMy purpose is to coach women through life transitions and I want to write about that as well. Which should I work on first?From Naomi Fata –Sustainable Sewing CoachIG: @naomifataWebsite: naomifata.netWhat's your rule of thumb for time spent networking or on social media vs. content creation and revenue streams?From Renee Bethel –Life Coach and Enneagram CoachIG: @findingmechristiancoachingWebsite: findingmechristiancoaching.comWhat's your best advice for streamlining social media content? How do I determine if I have too many non-negotiables and not enough time for money-making things for my weekly business plan?From Kim Wilbanks –Author and BloggerIG: @kimwilbanksWebsite: kimwilbanks.comHow do you do it all?From Julie Lynn Ashley –Grief Support CoachWebsite: julielynnashley.comWhat keeps you moving forward on your God-dream even on your most disappointing days?ACTION STEPI'm going to ask you the same question that Julie Lynn asked me. What keeps you moving forward on your God-dream even on the most discouraging days? I'd love for you to share that on social media and tag me so I can give you a little encouragement today.RESOURCESGo check out some of the amazing ladies who submitted these questions! They have resources to support you in all stages of life.++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Are you tired of struggling to establish good habits? In this last episode in the Habits series, you'll learn practical steps and biblical principles to help you change your mindset, pick the most essential habit to change, and make a plan for consistently practicing your new habit for success. Let's dive in.Welcome back to Just One Simple Thing! We are at the end of our series about habits. In the last episode, we talked about three ways that you can break bad habits.Once you've broken that bad habit, you need to put some good habits in place that will help you do the thing you want to do. So let's look again at some Biblical principles paired with practical steps to create good habits.1. Fix your mindsetYou might be tempted to think of changing your habits as suffering or sacrifice. The new habit you are trying to create often doesn't seem nearly as fun as the bad habits you are replacing.In Hebrews 5:8, where it says Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered, the Greek word for “learned” is also translated as “being in the habit of”.  Jesus was in the habit of being obedient, and we can also be obedient to what God wants to do in our lives by creating good habits, instead of whining about what we are giving up.2. Stick to the essentials and make it easyOne of the biggest mistakes we make when creating new habits is trying to make too many changes at once. That complete disruption of our life's routines overwhelms us.3. Repeat, repeat, repeatMake a plan for how you will consistently practice your new habit.Every time you repeat your new habit, you are building your habit muscles. You see the results and gain confidence in your ability to do the right thing, so it makes it easier to do it again the next time.To sum it up ... three ways to create good habits are:Change your mindset so you are focusing on obedience rather than sacrificePick the one most essential thing to change and make it easy to doMake a plan to consistently practice your new habit.ACTION STEPMake a plan for how you will implement these tips to create a new habit. If you didn't get it after my last episode, head over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab my Habit Planner. Snap a picture of your planner and share it on social media for a little more accountability.RESOURCESCreate Holiday Wellness Plans –Jill Hoven –The concepts in this series can be used for any type of habit in any season of the year++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Tapping into the power of habits is not just about discipline and will-power hacks. By pairing up these hacks with sound Biblical principles, you can make real progress on the actions that will fuel your goals. Listen in to Episode 98 of Just One Simple Thing where you'll get three tips for breaking bad habits.I know you were really serious about those goals and plans you set up back in January. But maybe you've had a hard time getting started on them. It can take a while to get that ball rolling and gain some momentum. That's where habits intersect goals. When you are trying to make the changes it takes to reach your goals, a bad habit can trip you up.For a concept that has such power to help us make transformations in our lives, habits are not specifically mentioned in the Bible very often. And when they are, it is almost exclusively about bad habits.By looking at these “bad habits” in the Bible, we can find some strategies for taming our own bad habits, and work on some practical ways to implement them.Exodus 21:28 -29One way to break a bad habit is to create a barrier between ourselves and the habit ... something that makes the habit difficult or unattractive.1 Timothy 5We can also break bad habits by replacing them with actions that are more beneficial or productive.Hebrews 10:24-25Having someone who spurs us on and encourages us can help us break a bad habit. This is where accountability and tough grace collide with habits.So there you have it ... the three best ways to break a bad habit ... put a barrier between you and the habit you want to break, replace it with something more beneficial or productive, and get an accountability partner.ACTION STEPPick just one habit you want to break, or behavior you want to change (just one .. too much change at once is overwhelming) and make a plan to break it using these tips. Head to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and download my Habit Planner so you can jot down your ideas based on these tips.Thanks for joining me for the Habits series. Be sure to head back to Episode 97 where my friend Merritt Onsa shared the three ways that habits can nurture your God-dreams. And we'll see you back here for the next episode where we'll talk about how to create new habits. Invite a friend to join you!RESOURCESDevoted Dreamers Podcast Habits mini-episodesAtomic Habits by James Clear++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

What could you begin doing today that would impact your God-inspired dream for the long haul? Join me and my friend Merritt Onsa in Episode 97 of Just One Simple Thing as we kick off a month of equipping you to build small habits that can have a big impact.We have just finished up our January Reset series, where we decluttered some critical areas of our work to make space for the new opportunities God will bring our way this year.Now that you are starting to feel a little bit of space in your life, how are you going to keep it that way? The secret is developing good habits that are going to support the most important goals in your life. To help you do that, I've teamed up with my friend Merritt Onsa. Merritt is a dream coach and the host of the Devoted Dreamers podcast, and she is an authority on what it looks like to pursue a God-shaped dream. In January, Merritt did a series of mini-episodes all about developing habits that will nurture your God-shaped dream all year long. Today, I'm going to share the first episode in Merritt's series where she explains the benefits of developing these small habits.Next week, I'll share some tips for breaking bad habits, and the week after that, how to create good habits. If you dig into all of the habits resources, I know they will set you on the path to make progress on your dreams this year. Ok, let's dive on in to Merritt's episode.Building habits and setting goals and making resolutions are all the rage this time of year. There's just something about making a fresh start.The value of building new habits .... one or two at a time ... into your life:The consistency of building a new habit also builds competence and confidence.Building confidence builds courage.Consistency becomes self-perpetuating.Habits will nurture your God-shaped dream.Don't try to build all the habits at once. Just pick one or two to implement before you add another one. Tracking your progress helps you stick to a goal or habit.I hope you'll head over to Merritt's  podcast and listen to all her episodes from January.ACTION STEPGrab the habit tracker Merritt mentioned and get started right away implementing one small habit every day.  Snap a picture of your tracker and share it on social media for a little extra accountability. And you know what else helps build new habits? Working on it with a friend. So share this episode with a friend and y'all work on your new habits together! You'll both see the big impact that small habits make.RESOURCESMerritt's Habit SeriesThe Devoted Dreamers Habit Tracker++++++++++++++++++My 100th episode is coming up and I want to spend it answering your questions! If you have a question about goals, planning, projects, your ministry, my business, doing it all while working full-time .. anything you want to know ... click here to record your question. You just might hear it in a future episode!

This is it! The last episode of theJanuary Reset series... a month spent cleaning up our ministry and biz clutter to make room for the new opportunities God has for us in 2023. Are you ready to talk about financial stewardship? Let's dive in to Episode 96 of Just One Simple Thing.I know it is really not nice of me to ask you to look at your finances right after the new year. But maybe this is the be best time. Maybe after navigating the spending frenzy of the holidays, you are more sensitive to the need to be good stewards of our financial resources.It's so easy to generate a load of online financial clutter. $5 per month here, $29 per year there, before we know it, we've burdened ourselves and our ministry with monthly and annual obligations that restrain our ability to freely respond to needs that arise.Let's use this lens to examine two areas where we tend to accumulate financial clutter.Review your monthly chargesAs you look at each thing you are paying for, ask yourself if there are ways you can maximize a free tool to do the same thing... or almost the same thing that is good enough.Also, see if you can combine some things into one resource with one fee.Review Your Affiliate ProgramsIf earning an income through your writing or growing your business is one of your goals, sharing helpful resources with your audience is one way to serve them. Faithful stewardship of these resources means that we are honest and transparent about the commissions we earn. It means we share only things that we truly believe in and can authentically convey how they help us and our audience. It also means we are choosy about whose products we promote. We should have high standards of service and values for those we lock arms with, not just promoting the brand that pays the highest commission.So make a list of all the affiliate programs you are a member of and examine each one. Do they hold up to high standards you can stand behind?ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab your January Reset tracker. You can check off the actions you took all month and look back at what a difference it made. Snap a picture and share it on social media so we can celebrate the progress you are making! RESOURCESDo A New Thing Preferred Partners++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

In the January Reset series, we're spending a few weeks looking at ways to declutter our business and ministry to make physical, mental and spiritual space for the new opportunities God wants to bring us in the new year. In Episode 95, let's look at some simple ways to make space, and make peace, with our social media.Social media may be a necessary part of growing online, but it doesn't have to be a necessary evil. We can bring peace to this part of our ministry or business by following a few simple social media guidelines.1. Be you, because you are awesome2. Be comfortable, because it shows3. Be disciplined, because other things are just as importantSocial media is just a piece of your overall strategy for growth. The longer you spend on social media, the more likely you are to get sucked down the rabbit hole of comparison. To clear out some of your social media clutter, here are your January Reset tasks for this week:Remove yourself from some Facebook GroupsWe have a habit of accumulating Facebook Groups like we collect free downloads and stock photos. This week, take a look at your groups and remove yourself from some.Update your Social ProfilesFacebook recently made some cool changes to Pages that will help us maximize the impact when people do find us there. My friend Ruthie Gray of the Authentic Online Marketing Podcast keeps me up to date on all the things I need to know about Instagram.Do a Review of Your Website.My friend, Susan Mead, is a social media genius. I love the script she recommends for social media profiles:I believe _____________. That's why I ___________ at __________.I believe: a statement that relates to what your audience can expect to gain from you That's why I: write/speak/preach/teach etc.At: Your blog, YouTube channel, podcast ... whatever you consider your "home base". Susan's variation on Twitter is: I believe God loves us & wants us to know Him well. That's I speak & write to help others find calm in the chaos at SusanBMead.com Another version of this is:I help ________________________________ by doing ____________________________ so they can ___________________________. Mine says:I help Christian creative ministry leaders and business owners overcome overwhelm and procrastination so they can turn their vague ideas into finished projects.ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab your January Reset tracker. You'll be able to check off the actions you take all month and look back at what a difference it made.Snap a picture and share it on social media so we can celebrate the progress you are making!Is this series helping you take some simple steps toward strengthening your foundations? I'd love to hear about it. Follow me on IG or FB @doanewthing and shoot me message!RESOURCESUpdating to the New Facebook Page Experience: What You Need to KnowAuthentic Online Marketing Podcast++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

It's the second part of our January Reset ... time we have set aside to clear out some of our ministry and business clutter and make way for the amazing opportunities God has in store for us this year. In Episode 94 of Just One Simple Thing, let's talk about some simple principles for organizing digital files.In Episode 93, we started our January Reset with our email inbox. Did you make any progress?In this episode, we'll tackle our digital files.Keep files that are:Related to your purpose, niche or contentHelpful to your friendsUseful for your blogor podcastContributing to your goalsDelete files that are:OutdatedAvailable onlineDuplicateNow that we have some guidelines on what to keep and what to get rid of, here are three things you can do to tame your digital files.1. Develop an Electronic Storage PlanMap out a plan of what you will store where. If you are going to store everything in the same place, I recommend that you use some kind of backup system.Free cloud storage is available on several platforms, but it has limits.If you are not ready to invest in file storage and want to maximize the use of free space available, save different types of documents in different places. For example, save all your photos to Dropbox, your book manuscript on Google Drive, etc.2. Clear Out your Downloads folderDon't let your Downloads folder become like the pile of miscellaneous papers on the corner of your desk. Now that you have an intentional storage plan, spend some time  deleting what you don't need from your Downloads folder and filing the rest.3. Organize Your Most Unorganized FilesOr the ones that are causing you the most pain when you have to look for something. It's probably overwhelming to think about going through all of your folders and organizing everything. But organizing the one thing that is causing you the most pain is do-able. Keeping it that way is easier than getting it that way in the first place, and it will motivate you to organize other areas as well.ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab your January Reset tracker. You'll be able to check off the actions you take all month and look back at what a difference it made. Snap a picture and share it on social media so we can celebrate the progress you are making!I hope you are starting to feel a little bit of relief from all the clutter and seeing a firm foundation for build on this year. If this series is helpful, I'd love for you to leave an honest review on your favorite podcast platform.RESOURCESThe Mind Your Time Podcast - How to Organize Your Documents++++++++++Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it's worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it. Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.

Before we close our 2022 planners and open the crisp new ones, blank with possibilities for 2023, there are some things we can do to make way for all those possibilities. We need to unload some things and straighten up others. Let's kick off the new year in Episode 93 with my best tips for managing email.All this month, we'll work on getting organized ... just a little at a time. Think of it as a January Reset, opening yourself up and making room for all the new blessings God has for you in 2023. My one word for 2023 is "FOUNDATIONS," and I'm determined to shore up some of the foundations in my business. Wanna join me?Each week in January, we'll focus on one area, and I'll give you two or three assignments to choose from. So let's dive right in to one of the biggest time sucks we face ... email.Here are three tips for managing email and keeping things simple.1. Review Your SubscriptionsWe know how important email lists are. Most of us with an online presence work to build a relationship with our audience using an email list. But honestly, if my email is just going to sit unopened in your inbox, that's not much of a relationship. So unsubscribe from my list or any other list that is not delivering something you love to your inbox.2. Clear Your InboxOnce you've got the subscriptions under control, now it's time to clear that inbox. Michael Hyatt has a great method for clearing out the inbox.Do –Take action on the task right now.Delegate –Pass the task on to someone elseDefer –Consciously decide you will do it laterDelete –If you don't need it for later, send it to the trashFile –If you need it for later, file itA piece of advice from Mr. Hyatt : Do not create an elaborate set of file folders. This is the single most important piece of advice I can give you. Just file everything in one folder called “Processed Mail” or use Gmail's Archive function.3. Remove Your Inactive SubscribersIf you have people who have been on your list for over six months and not opened any emails from you in that time, there are several reasons why you need to remove them:You are or will be paying for them at some point.Gmail and other email services screen incoming messages to put them in Spam or Promotions folders. If your email routinely has a low open rate, Google is more likely to put it in Spam or Promotions.Subscribers who open your emails are (for the most part) the ones who really matter. If you are ready to do this, identify your inactive subscribers, send them an email asking if they want to stay on your list (I bet very few of them will even open it!) then archive the ones who don't respond.ACTION STEPHead over to my free Facebook group Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and grab your January Reset tracker. You'll be able to check off the actions you take all month and look back at what a difference it made. I'm excited about this reset. If you know someone else who needs clean up their foundations to make room for what God wants to build, share this episode with them so they can join us!RESOURCESFree to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael HyattBuild A Better Year WorkshopThere's something you've been meaning to do. You know what it is. It's THAT thing.The Build A Better Year workshop will help you make 2023 the year you take your idea off the back burner and finally DO that thing, even if you don't think you have enough time to do it. Visit the Build A Better Year page to join us for this interactive workshop and get ready for next year to be better than this year.

We've covered a lot of ground  in Just One Simple Thing in 2022. Decision-making, project planning, creating community, launching new projects, and one big pivot. Before we wrap up the year, let's take a look back at the top five episodes of 2022.If you are listening to this in real time, we are into the last week of 2022. I thought it would be fun today to revisit a few of the most popular episodes of 2022. You guys really got into the practical ones that gave you some tools to help grow your ministry or business. Like Episode 46: Your Discovery Call Toolkit where I shared three ways to keep your discovery call calendar full.1. Talk about your discovery calls often2. Set a goal and keep it visible3. Make it easy to scheduleCreating systems for important processes creates time, consistency, and accuracy, as we learned in Episode 52: A Simple Process for Creating Simple Systems, including which systems to start with.The ones you use most oftenOnes that are complicatedOnes you are likely to hire help forOnes you are likely to forgetOne way to create a system is to map out the steps on the wall using sticky notes. But that's only one of ten creative ways to use sticky notes in Episode 54. Here are three more of my favorites from that list.Annual PlanningKeeping your focus during a work sessionInteractive PlanningAnother theme of the most popular episodes was creating a framework for decision making. In Episode 60 Overcome the Idea Tornado & Get Clarity on Your Next Step, I shared this tip for deciding what that next step is. What is the biggest issue you need to solve? The one thing that is blocking your path and preventing progress? It may seem like there are a lot of them, but if you look closely, you will likely find one thing that everything else hinges on. And finally, in Episode 76, we learned about the four strategies you need to help you focus and save time.  Content Strategy –All the things you deliver to your audience.Marketing Strategy –How you attract your audienceFinancial Strategy –How you keep things afloatAdministrative Strategy –How you keep yourself from going crazy.ACTION STEPWhich episode was your favorite this year? I'd love to hear how you put it into practice and your results. Share the episode on social media and tag me so I can cheer you on! It's been quite a year. I'm looking forward to 2023. We'll open a new group program specifically designed for women pursuing their God-inspired dream while working full time, I'll host my first in-person retreat, and we'll celebrate the 100th podcast episode. And that's just in the first two months! I hope you'll hang around, and maybe tell a friend about Just One Simple Thing.RESOURCESBuild A Better Year WorkshopE46: Your Discovery Call ToolkitE52: A Simple Process to Create Simple SystemsE54: Ten Creative Ways to Use Sticky NotesE60: Overcome the Idea Tornado & Get Clarity on Your Next StepE76: Four Strategies You Need to Stay Focused and Save TimeThere's something you've been meaning to do. You know what it is. It's THAT thing.The Build A Better Year workshop will help you make 2023 the year you take your idea off the back burner and finally DO that thing, even if you don't think you have enough time to do it. Visit the Build A Better Year page to join us for this interactive workshop and get ready for next year to be better than this year.

It's that time of year where everyone is trying to be good. Kids are trying to be good so Santa will show up. Adults are trying to be good on their diet so they can indulge at holiday meals. But are we also trying to do good? Listen in to Episode 91 of Just One Simple Thing to learn eight simple good things you can do in this holiday season.Author Stephen King once said, “Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful.”“Doing good” can be thought of in two ways. It can mean “good” as in “beneficial”. Do something helpful for someone that they may not be able to for themselves.It can also mean “good” as in “right”. Do the right thing at the right time. I think Paul had both of these meanings in mind when he encouraged the Galatians to do good.Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9 (NIV)When we do things that benefit others, God will bless us in His way and in His timing. When we keep doing the right thing at the right time for our ministry or business, we'll reap a harvest if we don't give up. Either way, here are some good things you can keep doing, because it's good to do them.1. Stop checking social media continuously.It's good to have a solid social media strategy, but obsessing and measuring your value by the numbers is neither beneficial or the right thing to do.2. Tweet in the morning.  If Twitter feels like a dark and negative place to you, try spending your time there in the early morning. A study showed that 5am to 6am is the happiest time on Twitter.3. Volunteer to help others.Volunteering doesn't have to involve a long-term commitment. It can be just a one-time thing that's helpful at the right time.4. Count your blessings everyday.Good things happened today. I know they did. Counting them up is another good thing.5. Send a note to someone you've never met, but admire.Reach out to someone and let them know how much you appreciate what they are doing.6. Ask “How Can I Help?"If you aren't sure what the good thing is in a difficult situation, ask that question and see how it changes the mood of the room.7. Share overheard compliments.When something good is said about someone and she may not know about it, sharing what you heard can help her quiet the voices in her head saying she isn't good enough.8. Make a helpful introduction.People know you trust them when you are willing to extend your circle to include them.ACTION STEP:Pick one and do it! Normally, I invite you to share your action step on social media so I can cheer you on, but this time, let's not do it for the cheers. Let's do it because doing good is the right thing.RESOURCES:Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others with Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurstThere's something you've been meaning to do. You know what it is. It's THAT thing.The Build A Better Year workshop will help you make 2023 the year you take your idea off the back burner and finally DO that thing, even if you don't think you have enough time to do it. Visit the Build A Better Year page to join us for this interactive workshop and get ready for next year to be better than this year.

2022 has been a tough year. Most people I know didn't meet their goals this year. We can blame it on inflation, covid hangover, or just lack of energy. But is it possible that you sabotaged your own goals this year? Join me for Episode 90 of Just One Simple Thing as I share the five most common mistakes people make when trying to reach their goals.It's helpful to take a look back and see what we could do differently this year to make it better.Here are five questions you can ask as you look back.1. Was your goal too broad?Your goal needs to be specific. If you've listened to Episode 40, you know  I'm not all about SMART goals. But your goal does need to be specific enough that you can actually see your progress. It also needs to be flexible, because in a year like this, you need to be able to adjust as the year goes on.2. Did you have a plan?Often, I hear women say, “I'm just not good at planning ... I don't like structure ... I can't figure out what to do next ... I'll just do what the Holy Spirit leads.” Many feel overwhelmed at the idea of gathering all their thoughts, or they feel pinned in by limiting their focus.Planning is not about being a slave to your to-do list. It's not about filling up every blank square in your planner. It's not about shutting down the spontaneous, creative movement of the Holy Spirit. Planning is about thinking ahead. Thinking ahead allows us to make the best use of the resources and opportunities God has given us. It gives us a framework to make good decisions as we are faced with new opportunities.3. Did you try to go it alone?God made us to work in community. Even if you are an introvert, you'll be more effective if you are working with others along your journey.4. Did you quit when you needed to adjust?It's frustrating when things don't go as planned. Or when you can never do all the things on your to do list. But guess what? Those things happen to all of us! Explore all the options before you quit.5. Too Much Learning, Not Enough DoingYou substituted gathering information for forward movement. It's easy to become a course collector and information consumer, but never put any of that information into action.ACTION STEP:This kind of critical look back can be painful and discouraging if you don't balance it with acknowledging all the things you did right .... All the places where God showed up and filled in the gaps of your mistakes. That's exactly what we're doing in the Looking Back to Move Forward Challenge. If you are listening to this any time the week of Dec. 12, 2022, it's not too late to join us. As we move towards the end of the year, I hope you are giving yourself some grace, enjoying the holidays, and setting yourself up for success in January. If you want to talk about some ways you can do that, reach out to me on FB or IG @doanewthing and we'll set up some time together.RESOURCESLooking Back to Move Forward Challenge Free DEFINE Call Grab an appointment for a FREE 20 minute call+++++++++++++++How would it feel to close the door on this year and start the new year with fresh confidence?No matter how it went for you, you need to say a fond farewell before you can move confidently into a new year.The Looking Back to Move Forward challenge will help you take stock of the past year, decide what to carry with you into the New Year, and what needs to stay in the past.