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Episode 988 (8:47) In this episode: Busyness unties many of the issues of our culture as well as spiritual life; Slow down and abide with Jesus; Ongoing life-long transformational relationship with Jesus; Jesus Is Coming, Look Busy; Where aer you too busy? Let Jesus adjust it My Website Podcast PageAll Previous EpisodesVideo by JohnMark Comer: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Image from Perplexity AI
Isn't it true—we're all busy?You might have a demanding job, a family that needs your attention, and barely any time for yourself. And now… you're supposed to pray unceasingly? It can feel impossible.This episode, Pastor Jeff Moes dives into part two of our series, “A Praying Life.” We'll focus on 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and explore three simple things God says are His will for our lives.These practices are simple—but powerful. I want to challenge you to put them into action and see how they can truly transform your everyday life.---WebsiteFacebookInstagramSunday SetlistConnect with us!How can we prayer for you? Let us know.
Episode 988 (8:47) In this episode: Busyness unties many of the issues of our culture as well as spiritual life; Slow down and abide with Jesus; Ongoing life-long transformational relationship with Jesus; Jesus Is Coming, Look Busy; Where aer you too busy? Let Jesus adjust it My Website Podcast PageAll Previous EpisodesVideo by JohnMark Comer: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Image from Perplexity AI
The Say YES Sisterhood is your invitation to a vibrant community of women who are embracing their dreams, reclaiming their joy, and living life with intention. Join today!Welcome to the Say YES to Yourself! Podcast—the show for midlife women, empty nesters, and those navigating major life transitions like divorce, reinvention, and rediscovery. If you're ready to shed old roles and finally put yourself first, you're in the right place.In this episode, Wendy talks with Peggy Sullivan, author of Happiness is Your Responsibility and Beyond Busyness. Peggy unpacks the cultural, emotional, and psychological roots of chronic busyness and walks us through her Busy Busting Process, a 3-step roadmap to doing less and living more.They explore: The hidden beliefs that keep women addicted to busyness Why joy is a decision, not a destination Peggy's Busy Busting Process and how to start shifting todayThis episode is your reminder that you don't need to earn your rest. When you stop chasing busy, you create space for joy.Connect with Peggy:Her Book: Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More With LessLinkedIn Instagram @peggysullivanspeakerPeggySullivanSpeaker.comHer TedTalk: Eliminating Time Poverty by Doing Less________________________________________________________________________________________ Say YES to joining Wendy for her: Say YES Sisterhood PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated France TripsInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright HouseWebsite: Phineas Wright HousePodcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a 5-star review—it helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.
What does your daily schedule look like? Is it full of errands and events? Sometimes we become workaholics and worriers, filling our days with too many tasks and constant concerns about things we can't control rather than taking time to focus on the most important thing of all.In this message, Jill uses the example of Martha to show us instead how Jesus would want us to fill our time. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/508/29
What does your daily schedule look like? Is it full of errands and events? Sometimes we become workaholics and worriers, filling our days with too many tasks and constant concerns about things we can't control rather than taking time to focus on the most important thing of all.In this message, Jill uses the example of Martha to show us instead how Jesus would want us to fill our time. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/508/29
Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Being busy is a drug for most people. We believe that busyness is a badge of honor, that constant activity is good, and that productivity (whatever that means), makes us worthwhile. People like to talk about being busy all the time, but oftentimes their relationships suffer. So often we sleepwalk through our days, but there is a tremendous gift in practicing awareness in this present moment. In a culture that gives accolades for business and achievement, we run the risk of forgetting how to be present. Scripture reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) but how often do we willingly slow down? My guest, Courtney Ellis and I talk about how to be present in the moment and reap the benefits. Quotables from the episode: What would it look like to love my actual neighbors? What would it look like to press into this particular church? What would it look like to make our kids' schools our schools and really put our feet on the ground and help in all the ways that we can? And so this book came out of that desire that my husband and I had and that commitment we made before God to really try to live into the ministry of stability as long as he called us to. That's a big change after moving six times in six years. It is, it is. You learn some bad habits when you move a lot. Friends in the military, friends who have to move a lot and they say, yeah, you pick up some bad habits. So, we had to unlearn a lot of bad habits. You talk about leaning in and being present. So, what are some practical ways that we can choose to be present in the moment? And then what are some of the benefits? There are so many small, beautiful ways we can choose to be present. Often the easiest one is just to keep your phone in your pocket or your purse because it's fascinating. You'll be at the grocery store, and you see people standing in line and you can time it. People will stand in line patiently for about 30 seconds and then the hand goes down and the phone is out. And it's not that they're being impatient, but might as well use the time to do the word or scroll Facebook or whatever it is. And so, part of this, practicing this attentiveness toward God and being present in the moment is simply resisting that urge to do the easiest thing which is to pull out technology and distract ourselves. Sit near a window and just take a few minutes and observe what you see and it's almost like your soul is the shaken up snow globe and as you sit all of that snow starts to settle and you may hear from God, you may hear things in your own heart that you've been kind of stuffing down and as you're present to yourself, present to what you see around you, present to the Lord, beautiful things can happen. When we can make decisions in our lives ahead of time and leave them closed, it opens up our minds to new possibilities. It gives us new energy. And that's the difference between kind of leaving or living poised to leave and living planning to stay. And God may call us to go tomorrow, but today, if that decision is closed, we have all of these possibilities in front of us that we can turn our full attention to without already being fatigued. You refer to limits as a God -given grace. What do you mean by that? I don't like it. I'm going to start with that. I don't either. Talk about that for a minute. Yes. I want to be infinite. I want to keep going. I want to keep running. But limits ultimately are a grace and they're a reminder to us of our creatureliness that we are part of God's creation. We are not God. Even small things like coming to the end of a day and needing to go to sleep is a reminder of the limits God has set in our days, in our world, in our life. Multiple times a day we have to stop and eat. And that's an intentional creation of God. God could have created us to not need food. God could have created us to eat once a year. But these intentional checks and balances in our lives are an opportunity to practice dependence on God, to understand that our finitude is not burden, but it's grace, even if we are not always able to receive it in that way. Why do you call yourself an achievement addict and what does this have to do with learning to take a Sabbath rest? Yes, I would imagine I'm talking to another achievement addict here on the show. It takes one to know one. Yeah, I, especially early on in my life, that was where I would receive a lot of praise and adulation. And so I really grew into this. I am what I do. And if I've done enough in a day, I can feel good about myself, you know, when my husband and I compare notes at the end of the day and he'll say, "How was your day?" I still will most often jump to, "Well, I got a lot done and I feel really good about that." It's like, "Do you? Okay, let's talk about that. And there's nothing wrong with achievement, there's nothing wrong with being a driven person. But where you encounter some difficulty is when that becomes your identity. So, on a day where I'm ill, on a day where, you know, the kids didn't cooperate, on a day where something unexpected got thrown on my plate ministry -wise, does that mean I'm less of a person because I didn't check off my list? No, it doesn't. It means that God is the God of interruptions and God is the God of limitations. There's great grace in realizing that we are, you know, the old cliche, we're human beings, we're not human doings. and God has created us that way out of love and care and grace so we can rest at the end of the day even while leaving things undone. And that is the message of Sabbath is that once-a-week God commands doesn't invite doesn't suggest God commands that we rest from our labors and not because everything is done not because everything is polished and finished. And I love what Eugene Peterson, wonderful Presbyterian author has to say about Sabbath, which is that if you work with your mind, you should Sabbath with your hands. So, there should be worship, but also, you know, often my husband is out in the garden on Sabbath because that allows his mind to rest. But if you work with your hands, you should Sabbath with your mind. Busyness keeps us from stability and stability is what healthy people and a healthy society desperately needs. The United States has traditionally been one of the most mobile countries in the world with the average American moving about eleven times in their lifetimes. By contrast, Europeans move about four times. Busyness and the transitory nature of our lives and jobs means fewer deep connections with others. Fostering community is some of the toughest, most painful work we engage in. Being present means that we deliberately choose stability. In a world marked by transience, envy, and rootlessness, committing to stay put is a radical, unusual act. Transience threatens to dull our awareness of God. While stability may not always be our choice (like with a job relocation), it is something to be sought after. Remembering to pay attention can be the trickiest spiritual practice of all. Being present is about choices: setting aside time to rest (Sabbath) but also setting aside distractions (like technology). Sabbath is not a gift to you because you've achieved enough. It's actually a gift so that you will rest from your achievement and that's hard. In fact, you write remembering to pay attention can be the trickiest spiritual practice of to hack that a little think in many ways, those are the two primary spiritual disciplines, but what I'm learning is the older I get that the fundamental spiritual practice for all of us is learning to pay attention, to pay attention to God, to pay attention to our neighbor, to pay attention to what God is stirring up in our own souls, to pay attention to what God's stirring up in our broader culture. A lot of it comes back to those practices of noticing and being present with people. This is what Jesus did so well. Jesus was present with people who were very different than he was, people who had been wearing t -shirts with slogans that he did not agree with. And he did that by simply being present with people, by sharing meals with them, by having conversations, by noticing, he meets the woman at the well and through the power of the Holy Spirit, he knows things about her that we wouldn't have known, but we can notice, and we can love as Jesus loved. And so in building community, some of the best tools we have are not going on 100 miles an hour so we can pause at the mailbox and say, "Hey, how was your day?" So we can notice the person in the grocery store check-out line. So, it's slowing down and then practicing that same attentiveness, that spiritual practice of noticing with people. A big percentage of our listeners and viewers are dealing with pain, whether it's physical pain, it's emotional pain, relational pain, or even spiritual pain. So how can we learn to find God's presence in the present moment in the midst of our pain? What a good question. I think the first thing I'd say is sometimes you need to escape the pain a little bit and that's okay. Sometimes what you need are six episodes of the Great British Baking Show and God honors that and God blesses that. God doesn't always force us to face down our pain every minute of every day. So, it's kind of two feet of walking, we face it and then we take a breather, we take a rest, we take a nap. But I think the surprising thing, and we read this so often throughout the journey of Scripture, is that in those most painful moments, we find an intimacy with God that we don't find any other time. I would want to leave them with the gentle permission to slow down, to look up and look around, and to see what grace, God has strewn right in your path, right in front of you. It's easy to look for greener pastures. It's easy to lean into the dissatisfaction that our culture showcases all around us, but truly God has strewn our world with such delight. We slow down and start to look up. It's ours for the taking if we will slow down and be present in the moment. Scripture References: Matthew 5:34 We are warned not to “be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” Matthew 24:42-44 “… keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Jeremiah 29:7 “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Recommended Resources: Present: The Gift of Being All In, Right Where You Are by Courtney Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Courtney Ellis: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: After six moves in as many years, Courtney Ellis found herself longing for the stability of one place. Her new book Present: The Gift of Being All In, Right Where You Are explores God’s call to be present, cultivating community and contentment right where we are. Courtney is a graduate of Wheaton College and Princeton Seminary. She trained to be an English lit professor before following God’s call to full-time ministry. She and her husband, Daryl, have three children and live in southern California where they pastor. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
On the first ever episode of Where We're At the team discusses how we navigate busyness in parenting.
In this conversation, Adam Roach and Jess Webber discuss the common issue of feeling busy yet unproductive. They explore the difference between activity and alignment, emphasizing the importance of auditing inputs, defining a clear North Star, and dedicating time for deep work to achieve meaningful progress. The discussion highlights practical strategies to regain control over one's time and focus, ultimately leading to greater effectiveness and fulfillment.TakeawaysYou're confusing activity with alignment.The average person spends two and a half hours a day on email.Emails are someone else's to-do list for you.You cannot create from overload.Audit your inputs to regain bandwidth.Define your North Star to find direction.Every task should align with your North Star.Deep work requires uninterrupted time.You do have time if you're intentional.Clarity lives on the other side of focus.Chapters00:00 The Busy Yet Stuck Dilemma05:09 Auditing Your Inputs10:23 Defining Your North Star14:43 The Power of Deep Work
What does your daily schedule look like? Is it full of errands and events? Sometimes we become workaholics and worriers, filling our days with too many tasks and constant concerns about things we can't control rather than taking time to focus on the most important thing of all.In this message, Jill uses the example of Martha to show us instead how Jesus would want us to fill our time. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/508/29
What does your daily schedule look like? Is it full of errands and events? Sometimes we become workaholics and worriers, filling our days with too many tasks and constant concerns about things we can't control rather than taking time to focus on the most important thing of all.In this message, Jill uses the example of Martha to show us instead how Jesus would want us to fill our time. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/508/29
When you're tempted to stop moving forward, there are a few key strategies that will keep you going — and John Maxwell is sharing those strategies in this episode! After his lesson, Mark Cole and Chris Robinson sit down to discuss what John has talked about and help you practically apply it to your life and leadership. Key takeaways: Busyness without productivity is an early sign of complacency. Go expose yourself to bigger, better, faster people. A goal that does not stretch you is not a worthy goal. Our BONUS resource for this episode is the Strategies to Stop Complacency Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John's teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/StopComplacency and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” Take the next step in your growth journey and become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. Click here to speak with a Program Advisor today! References: Watch this episode on YouTube! Conquer complacency with Chris Robinson's new book, From Drift to Drive Enroll in the 21 Laws of Leadership online course for $199 (reg. $1,050) What You Focus on Expands (Part 2) Podcast Episode Experience Breakthrough Two-Part Series Podcast Episode Are you a young leader? Take our Next Generation Leader survey and receive The Mentor's Guide to Everyday Challenges for FREE! Learn more about the 5 Levels of Leadership Workshop for your teams! Join the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Shop the Maxwell Leadership Online Store
Garrett speaks directly to the agent who feels constantly behind. If you've ever felt the pressure to be on every platform, follow every strategy, or say yes to every opportunity, this is for you.Garrett reminds us that discipline is more powerful than omnipresence, and obedience is better than overextension. He exposes the lie that hustle equals holiness and shows you how staying in your God-given lane will actually unlock more momentum and peace.Key Takeaways:✅ You're not behind—you're just distracted by what doesn't matter✅ Busyness is often the enemy's way of keeping you off mission✅ You don't need to be everywhere—you need to be where God called you✅ Focus leads to excellence, while frenzy leads to burnout✅ Faithfulness in one lane will produce more fruit than scattered activityChapters:00:01 – Intro: You're Not Behind—You're Distracted00:18 – Busyness Is a Spiritual Strategy00:32 – Focus Over Frenzy00:48 – Faithfulness in Your LaneScripture Highlight:
In this episode of the Passports, Profits, and Pixie Dust Podcast, Lindsay tackles the critical issue of distinguishing between mere busyness and productive business activities. Addressing ambitious women entrepreneurs, she identifies common traps of 'busyness' such as unnecessary tasks and endless learning without implementation. Lindsay emphasizes the need to focus on income-producing activities like making offers, following up with leads, and recording podcasts. She offers practical tips for prioritization, including daily income-producing time blocks, batching administrative tasks, and celebrating action over perfection. The episode concludes with actionable steps for August goal setting and a reminder to align tasks with clear business objectives, keeping one's entrepreneurial journey both productive and enjoyable. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:10 The Concept of Busyness vs. Business 01:32 Examples of Busyness 02:55 The Role of Fear and Procrastination 03:28 Identifying Business Activities 06:18 Shifting from Busyness to Action 10:44 Final Thoughts and Action Steps Grab your FREE Travel Agent Marketing Starter Kit here:
Jeannette explores the transformative power of strategic thinking in business, guiding leaders from chaos to clarity. She emphasises the importance of stepping back to make decisions rooted in purpose rather than reacting to daily distractions. Jeanette shares three powerful shifts: moving from busyness to bravery, adopting systemised thinking over reactive problem-solving, and transitioning from uncertainty to intentional strategy. Jeannette explains why: Leaders often confuse being busy with being productive. It's essential to prioritise long-term growth and make brave decisions that align with strategic goals Instead of reacting to problems repeatedly, leaders should identify patterns and create systems or processes that address root causes Uncertainty is a constant in business Leaders must make decisions based on their values and goals Taking time to reflect on priorities and decisions is crucial Leaders should regularly assess what tasks align with their strategic goals Subscribe to Brave Bold Brilliant for weekly wisdom on leadership, legacy, and living boldly. This episode is living proof that no matter where you're starting from — or what life throws at you — it's never too late to be brave, bold, and unlock your inner brilliant. Visit https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/ for free tools, guides and resources to help you take action now
Jack Guldenbecker, Community Development Officer, Village of Minooka, joins John Landecker to discuss Minooka’s great dining options for a night out and their strong community.
Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast
Episode Summary: Today, we’re tackling an issue that affects millions of people: loneliness. In a world that’s more connected than ever through technology, many of us still feel isolated and unseen. Studies show that loneliness has become a public health crisis, impacting our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. According to a recent study, 1 in 3 adults reports feeling severely lonely. The CDC links social isolation and loneliness to depression, anxiety, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and more. Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But there’s good news: loneliness isn’t the end of the story. God created us for connection, and by taking intentional steps, we can build meaningful relationships that bring hope, healing, and joy. Stay tuned as Becky Harling and I unpack practical tips and faith-based solutions to combat the epidemic of loneliness and rediscover the power of authentic connection. Quotables from the episode: According to a recent study, 1 in 3 adults reports feeling severely lonely. The CDC links social isolation and loneliness to depression, anxiety, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and more. Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is feeling disconnected. You could be in a crowded room with lots of people. It doesn’t mean that you don’t have people around you, you just don’t feel connected to those people, and so you can feel isolated even in a crowd. Busyness is one of the chief problems that have contributed to our society’s deep loneliness. People are busier today than they’ve ever been. We’re always off to the next appointment, the next thing, the next activity, and as a result we don’t know our neighbors. We don’t have time for friends. We’re on this continual treadmill that has taken over our lives and it’s become detrimental to us and yet we seem to wear busyness as a badge of honor. We have lost the ability to have meaningful conversations with people. We’ve lost the curiosity element where like every single person is an amazing creature designed in the image of God. I want to be curious and know who they are. I want to know what’s important to them and why it’s important to them and those conversations really build the deeper connections. The first small step is to reach out to somebody that you know and say either let’s go to coffee, because I want to know you better. Better yet, invite them into your home or coffee. For the listeners who may feel a little afraid, my encouragement is to do it afraid. Just do it afraid, but learn to reach out to people. When you bring humility into a friendship, not only are you modeling the behavior that Jesus taught us. Paul reminds us, have this attitude in yourself, which was also in Christ Jesus. He was humble, even though he existed in the form of God, he didn’t clamor after that. Instead, he took on the form of a bond servant. When you come to a relationship with humility, it levels the playing field, and you allow the other friend to feel safe. We are never more like the enemy than when we’re criticizing somebody because the enemy is the accuser of the brethren and so to be like Jesus we’re not going to stand around and accuse people because he didn’t do that….so offer compassion. When you’re tempted to take offense, or when you already have, I like to ask myself a few questions. How is it helping me to take offense? Usually it doesn't help me, it hurts me, right? How, what do I need to take responsibility for here? You know, what's the meaning I'm making in my head? We all tell ourselves stories, right? And so when we're tempted to take offense, what happens is we sell ourselves a story. You know, like maybe this person is so rude to me or they don't honor my space or they don't value my opinions. And it's likely not any of those things, you know, first of all, people might not even really be thinking about you. And you know, we tend to think, what is she thinking? What are they thinking? Well, they're not thinking about you. They're thinking about their own problems. So, you know, offer people grace, don't get offended so easily. If you’re trying to keep up an image, some kind of persona that you’re projecting to the world, that’s a burden. And it’s going to weigh you down. Why not just be vulnerable? Be yourself. Choose who you’re going to be vulnerable with. If you have good friends, dare to be vulnerable if you want the friendship to go deeper. That’s one of the benefits of cultivating these deeper connections is the opportunity to have such a degree of vulnerability that you can pray for them, that you can ask them for prayer. I think prayer is one of the most vulnerable things that we can do. We're vulnerable before our Lord, but then when we ask for prayer, we're vulnerable before the one that we've asked for prayer from, and when they ask us for prayer. That's about the most vulnerable that you can get with someone. But it does foster that connection. We have to take a risk. If you are feeling lonely today, I want to talk directly to you. Pretend that we're just sitting across the table having coffee. I want you to know that you are never really alone because Jesus is the one who said, "I will never leave you. I will never forsake you." If you're a widow, you are never alone. Jesus is with you. If you're isolated in a new community, you are never alone. Jesus is with you. And as you cultivate your friendship with Jesus and you grow more secure in His love, it's going to give you the confidence then to let that love flow out to others. The first thing for you is to cultivate that deep friendship with Jesus. Go to him in prayer, tell him everything, you know, go to the word of God, listen to worship music, take a walk and just talk with Jesus. But cultivate that friendship first and foremost. Scripture References: Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Recommended Resources: Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World by Becky Harling How to Listen So People Will Talk by Becky Harling How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk by Becky Harling Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Becky Harling: Website / Podcast / Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / X For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Becky Harling has a degree in Biblical Literature and is a speaker and Bible teacher. The host of The Connected Mom podcast, Becky has a passion for helping women find hope, healing, freedom, and life transformation through Jesus Christ. She is the author of many books and Bible studies, including her recent release, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This week in Summer at Grace, Pastor Chris Zauner invites us to confront two common summer pitfalls—busyness and escape—and the false identities they create.
Father helps us to examine our lives to determine if we are too busy for God.
In a culture where busyness is worn like a badge of honor, it's easy to fill your schedule and still feel empty. But what if your packed calendar is doing more harm than good?In this episode, we expose The Busyness Trap—and unpack the hidden ways it may be sabotaging your life, your calling, and your walk with God. You'll discover:How busyness kills intimacy with GodWhy your packed schedule might be pulling you away from your purposeHow productivity can become a false source of identityAnd how constant activity can cover up the deeper issues you're avoidingThis is a wake-up call for every man who feels overwhelmed, overcommitted, and under-connected to what matters most. If you're ready to take back your time and live with intention, this episode is for you.
This past weekend we had our inaugural Together Weekend--an all weekend long church event with multiple opportunities for fun and growth meant to increase our Togetherness as a church. Instead of our normal message on Sunday, we had multiple breakouts hosted throughout the building and recorded them for people to listen to later on. In this breakout, Miles and Lisa Trump share about their own experiences balancing the busyness of their life and how they bring it all back to Jesus in a practical and fruit-focused way.
The Dad Edge Podcast (formerly The Good Dad Project Podcast)
Have you ever asked yourself: Am I willing to face discomfort and take courageous action? What negative self-talk or pressure am I letting control me? Have I ever taken the time to really name and face what's weighing me down or keeping me up at night? Whether you're a business owner, a hard-working dad, or somewhere in between, Larry lays out why building intentional connections with other men and seeking growth is key to creating a legendary life—both for yourself and the generations to come. Drawing from personal experience and eye-opening statistics, Larry opens up about his own journey through denial, honesty, and growth, unpacking how easy it is for men to stay stuck in “I'm fine” mode—even when struggling internally. He offers three powerful strategies to support mental well-being: ruthless self-honesty, taking care of your body and mind, and intentionally building a supportive, growth-oriented circle of men. If you're ready to get honest, find your tribe, and start moving forward, this episode will be the wake-up call you need. Become the best husband you can: https://bit.ly/deamarriageyoutube In this vital conversation, we dig into: Move Your Body, Guard Your Mind, and Cut the Junk: Mental and physical health are inseparable. Larry calls this the second pillar: move your body, guard your mind, and cut out the junk. Regular movement, whether it's a walk, a lift, or a sweat session, can clear your head and improve your mood. You don't need a perfect workout routine. Consistency is far more important. Upgrade Your Circle: Brotherhood Over Isolation: Isolation is the silent killer of men's mental health. Many fathers try to “lone wolf” their way through struggles, believing they must handle everything themselves. Larry warns that this mindset can erode your spirit and make life's challenges feel even heavier. The Power of Getting Honest With Yourself: Every father experiences moments of feeling lost, overwhelmed, or out of his depth. According to Larry, the first and most crucial step is honesty. Too often, we brush aside our struggles with the phrase, "I'm fine," when, in reality, we are not. Instead of masking the pain or confusion, Larry encourages dads to face those feelings head-on. This episode will inspire you to disrupt the repeating pattern, reclaim your purpose, and start living a legendary life. Here's what research and observation highlight about men's mental health: One in eight men will deal with serious depression in their lifetime, but over 60% will not get help. Men die by suicide four times more than women, but rarely ask for help. Most dads say that they feel consistently stressed or burned out trying to balance work, fatherhood, and marriage. But nearly half admit feeling completely and totally alone. If you're filling your head with hours of doomscrolling news and mindless social media every day, your risk doubles. Studies show people who watch over 3 hours of news daily are twice as likely to report severe anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. www.thedadedge.com/mastermind
Intro:Good morning! We're navigating a tough week, having just hosted a funeral for Drew Hall, deeply loved in our community, who passed away in a climbing accident. Our hearts are with his wife and daughters. Next week, our Exeter church family, who we just prayed off, joins us for baptisms – this is the life of the church: joy and sorrow, but Jesus is always with us. Today, we delve into listening, a profound theme from Proverbs.Scripture References: Proverbs 2:1-5, Proverbs 5:1-2, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 15:31-32, Proverbs 4:20, Proverbs 5:1, Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6, Deuteronomy 6, Genesis 21:17, Proverbs 15:29, Luke 24:25-32Key Points:God Is Always Speaking, Calling Us to Listen:Proverbs emphasizes God's constant communication, urging us to be attentive listeners.The Seattle School of Theology's daily "chime" ritual reminds students their work is done in the presence of a living, speaking God.Listening for Wisdom and Instruction:Proverbs consistently calls us to listen for knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:1-5, 5:1-2, 22:17).It also stresses receiving instruction and discipline (Proverbs 13:1, 15:31-32). Embracing God's loving discipline transforms us.Proverbs' urgent tone (e.g., Proverbs 4:20, 5:1) highlights the gravity of listening to God's words. It's the single most important thing we can learn.Listening in God's Grand Story:Creation: From Genesis 1 ("Let there be light"), God speaks first. Our design is to listen and respond. Keith Anderson notes God's voice in creation is the first evidence of His love. Intentional listening means emptying our agenda, being curious, and present. Grab a "Five Ways to Practice Listening" card at the connect table!Old Testament (Shema): Deuteronomy 6 commands, "Listen, O Israel... love the Lord your God." Listening precedes loving. God's listening (e.g., Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21:17) isn't for His knowing, but to express His love, care, and that we are known (Proverbs 15:29). What He hears is never a barrier to His love.Jesus' Incarnation: Jesus often said, "Let anyone who has ears hear." The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:25-32) shows disciples, disillusioned by Christ's crucifixion, unknowingly walking with Jesus. As He spoke, their hearts "burned." Encountering Jesus opens our ears and hearts to God's voice. Proximity to Jesus happens in simple, earthy ways (walking, sharing a meal, being with companions).The Problem is Connection, Not God's Speaking:Like the story of Pete Gregg unknowingly broadcasting his podcast, God is always speaking. The problem is often our connection.Busyness, disappointment, a cold heart, or distance from Jesus can hinder our listening. Our job is to approach God with intentionality, love, and closeness to Jesus.Conclusion:Our ability to listen to God is foundational. From creation to Jesus, God's story shows He actively speaks and listens out of love. This security allows us to confidently listen to Him.Call to Action:As we come to the table, remember Christ's presence bridges all distance. If your heart feels cold, or you need to know God hears you, pray with us. We'll worship and take communion, remembering Jesus, who perfectly embodied listening and drew close to us, offering new life. Be responsive to prayer; we want to connect you to Jesus. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.
In this moving homily on the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42), Fr. Michael shares insights from a recent retreat with his fellow brothers, led by the general superior of the Community of St John. With pastoral warmth and deep spiritual clarity, he explores the essence of contemplation — that still, silent gaze of love that renews the soul. Drawing on Scripture, Church history, and personal experience, Fr. Michael shows how returning to the “one thing necessary” not only strengthens us but renews the Church and heals relationships. A call to sit once more at the feet of Jesus.
Welcome back to Linking Arms! This is Part 2 of Nadine's conversation with Lindsay Schloss, founder and CEO of HopeAnchor & Crew, a philanthropic jewelry company that empowers women locally and globally. If you caught Part 1, you know Lindsay has a heart for helping women move from surviving to truly living. This episode takes it deeper with practical ways to build a full, balanced life, grounded in faith and intentionality. Lindsay walks us through the 10 life areas she uses in her “Full Balanced Life” curriculum, and explains how to assess your wheel of life honestly, without guilt or overwhelm. You'll hear real-life examples of creating daily rhythms (like drinking more water!) and how small daily choices can align with your core values. Whether you're in a mountaintop season or deep in a valley, Lindsay reminds us that our souls need tending — and that stewarding our time, energy, and gifts is one of the greatest ways we honor what God has given us. Tune in for encouragement and practical tools you can use today to start living with more intention, margin, and soul-deep fullness. About Lindsay Schloss: HopeAnchor & Crew, Philanthropic Jewelry, was founded in 2019 by Lindsay Schloss, who has always felt deeply the burden of those in need. She's worked and served in Child & Community Services in Indianapolis for over 13 years. Rooted in her faith, with the love and support of her greatest blessing — her family — Lindsay launched HopeAnchor & Crew to encompass all of her personal and professional passions. Her deep desire to empower women and make an impact in communities locally and globally remains the heart of her work, leaving a legacy of service, social justice, and generosity.
As life pulls us in a million different directions, and loads us up with stressors, it's so easy to lose our moorings This Sunday, we'll explore a passage of scripture that tells us how we can stay centered and grounded. This is the third installment in our inductive study of the New Testament book of Colossians.
Topic: Walking With GodFourth Commandment: Observe the Sabbath Exodus 20:1-2, 8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 11:28-12:14; Mark 2:27 It's hard to stop sometimes. We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Busyness is the "answer" for the sense of significance and security we crave. But we forgot who loves us. A very important part of walking with God is to stop walking and rest with Him. Today it's the one Commandment with two reasons. It's the Sabbath because you are significant and secure.
This episode takes a step back from policy topics to dive into a pervasive phenomenon in public service work: constant busyness and burnout. Ronan Harrington, an international speaker, expert on burnout and resilience, and MPP alumnus, joins MPP student Nate for a conversation on why burnout is so pervasive in public service careers and what we can do about it.The conversation explores:• Why is overwhelmed and burnout a particular problem in public service?• What are the root psychological factors that lead to constant busyness and burnout?• Is overwhelm and exhaustion just necessary in high impact careers?• Can technology and AI save us?• What are practical strategies to manage overwhelm when we can't control the demands placed on us?
In this episode, Ed sits around the kitchen table with Tim and Hannah to ask: What's it like to be a busy Christian parent?Spoiler alert: It's a bit overwhelming. And a bit joyful. And often both at once.Tim and Hannah's home is full - three kids, a Labrador, a Ukrainian house guest, an Airbnb, and 20 teenagers round every Sunday night. Life is busy, but this episode isn't about burnout - it's about how Jesus meets us in the middle of the chaos.They share what it means to say no to good things, to fiercely guard Saturdays, and to prioritise what lasts: a relationship with Jesus. Tim reflects on the challenge of self-reliance, and how faith often feels distant - until God shows up in the unexpected moments, like a car ride or a chat at church.From Bible times that fall apart to sticker-covered Bibles that suddenly work, it's a reminder that we're not failing parents just because we feel like we are - because God hasn't let go of us, or our children.Support the show
In this episode of the Voice of Influence Podcast, Andrea interviews Peggy Sullivan, a renowned keynote speaker, author, and researcher who has inspired millions with her TEDx talk. Peggy discusses her 'busy busting' framework, which helps individuals overcome busyness to achieve peak performance without sacrificing wellbeing. She shares personal stories and insights, including a pivotal moment when she realized the negative impacts of chronic busyness. Peggy explains the importance of subtracting low-value activities, creating happiness rituals, and aligning actions with core values. She also provides actionable steps for individuals and leaders to implement her framework in their personal and professional lives to enhance productivity and fulfillment. Find the show notes here: https://www.voiceofinfluence.net/362 Mentorship Guide - This VOI guide and journal for mentors and mentees includes 12 sessions covering key topics young professionals need to set themselves up for success at work. Listener Feedback Form - Share how you see people shaping the future - and/or ask a question for Andrea and guests to address on the show!
We live in a culture that glorifies the grind, where every moment must be productive and every silence filled. But what if our constant busyness isn't just exhausting—what if it's actually keeping us from the life we want? This conversation explores how margin and attention have become revolutionary acts in a world designed to overwhelm us. Drawing from ancient wisdom and modern realities, Trevor examines how taking time to notice—whether it's a burning bush or your partner's words—can fundamentally shift how we experience life. He unpacks why slowing down isn't laziness but resistance, and how creating space for ourselves and others might be the most subversive thing we can do. If you're tired of feeling scattered, rushing from one thing to the next, or missing the moments that matter most, this episode offers a different way forward—one that starts with the simple act of turning aside.
In Week 3 of Seamless, we realize that Jesus aims to enter our busyness and actually shows us a new way to live life.
Sermon in a Sentence:"Jesus's priority was always people."Application:Prioritize the mission and make room for MTOC. (hometownchurch.com/mtoc)
The Zen monk who burned out. How he fixed it. And how you can, too. Brother Chân Pháp Hữu began training at the age of 13 with the legendary Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh — who was an author, activist, and founder of the Plum Village tradition. Today Brother Pháp Hữu is the abbot of Plum Village's Upper Hamlet and the co-host of the Plum Village podcast The Way Out Is In. He also recently co-authored a book, called Being with Busyness: Zen Ways to Transform Overwhelm and Burnout. In this episode we talk about: Why humans today are busier and more overwhelmed than ever before Why monastics aren't immune to burnout How busyness is thrust upon us by the world, but it's also the result of us running from the shit we don't wanna face Practical tools for addressing busyness and burnout Why doing nothing is an art The role of perspective—and how contemplating your own death can be a huge source of perspective The practice of total relaxation How to have healthy boundaries without armoring up How to say no without pissing people off How to protect ourselves in toxic environments And much more Related Episodes: The Buddhist Case For Laziness (And How It Can Make You More Productive) | Brother Chân Pháp Hữu Join Dan's online community here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
This week on Linking Arms, Nadine is joined by one of her best friends, Lindsay Schloss — the inspiring founder and CEO of HopeAnchor & Crew, a philanthropic jewelry company that empowers women locally and globally. Lindsay shares her raw story of being a newly divorced single mom with a baby and toddler, working 50–60 hours a week just to survive, and how that season planted the seeds for her passion to help women move from busyness to fullness. They talk about what it means to live intentionally, how to build rhythms that nourish your soul, and why you can't pour into others from an empty cup. Lindsay's words are a reminder that we have just one wild and precious life to steward well. Listen in for an honest conversation about faith, soul care, and practical wisdom to help you choose a full, abundant life—even in the busiest seasons. About Lindsay Schloss: HopeAnchor & Crew, Philanthropic Jewelry, was founded in 2019 by Lindsay Schloss, who has always felt deeply the burden of those in need. She's worked and served in Child & Community Services in Indianapolis for over 13 years. Rooted in her faith, with the love and support of her greatest blessing — her family — Lindsay launched HopeAnchor & Crew to encompass all of her personal and professional passions. Her deep desire to empower women and make an impact in communities locally and globally remains the heart of her work, leaving a legacy of service, social justice, and generosity. Connect with Lindsay: IG/FB: @lindsayeschloss Business: @hopeanchorandcrew Website: hopeanchorandcrew.com
In this episode, Peggy shares her personal experience as a self-proclaimed 'busyness addict,' discussing how the overwhelming demands of her career left her with too much to do and too little time. She opens up about her path to recovery and the steps she has taken to regain control over her life.You can contact us at info@qedod.comResources can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com#resilience, #burnout, #intuition
This is Peggy, a recovering Busyness Addict. Her “always-on” lifestyle led her everywhere—except where she truly wanted: Success, happiness, and health.Most of us suffer from time poverty, with no manual to escape it. After decades of research, Peggy developed a simple but powerful truth: Doing less helps us achieve more.As a keynote speaker, author, and researcher, Peggy helps individuals and businesses break free from the myth that busy = success. Peggy's methods have transformed teams and Fortune 500 companies like Google, Bank of America, and Blue Cross BlueShield—unlocking peak performance, self-care, and real happiness.But she's not done yet. It's time to replace hustle culture with happiness culture.In Beyond Busyness, Peggy shares her three-step “Busy Busting” methodology—already helping thousands escape the busy trap.
Are you tired of performing, striving, and still feeling empty?In this video, I share my personal journey from burnout and spiritual exhaustion to learning how to truly abide in Christ—and what real, lasting fruit looks like when it's born from presence, not pressure.Jesus didn't call us to hustle harder. He called us to abide.Here's how to stop taping fake fruit to a dead tree and start living a life rooted in the Vine.
Air Date - 24 June 2025Join us for a powerful conversation about breaking free from the addiction to busyness and uncovering what's truly keeping you stuck. Francine Tirrell shares mindset shifts and spiritual insights to help you reclaim your energy, trust yourself, and confidently make your next Big-A$$ Uplevel in life and business.About the Guest:Francine Tirrell is a Spiritual Mindset Coach, Energy Healer, and founder of Forever Changed Coaching. She works with women who are ready for a Big-A$$ Uplevel but feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure where to begin. Juggling it all, they struggle to create the space needed to figure out what's next in their business and life.Francine helps her clients unravel the patterns that keep them spinning in overdrive so that they can reclaim their energy, confidence, and clarity. Through a powerful blend of mindset coaching, EFT, Oracle Card readings, and energy healing, she supports women in clearing the mental and emotional clutter holding them back.Known for her fun, intuitive, and compassionate style, Francine creates an empowering space where women feel safe to stop doing what they think they should and start trusting their own wisdom. Her holistic approach helps clients build a thriving business and life on their own terms, not those of others. Learn more at https://www.francinetirrell.com/.Social Media:Website: https://www.francinetirrell.com/Facebook Fan/Biz: https://www.facebook.com/ForeverchangedcoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foreverchangedcoach/#FrancineTirrell #InspiredConversations #LindaJoy #Women #SelfHelp #Mindfulness #Lifestyle #InterviewsVisit the Inspired Conversations Show Page https://omtimes.com/iom/shows/inspired-conversationsConnect with Linda Joy https://linda-joy.com/ and her YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@linda-joySubscribe to our Newsletter https://omtimes.com/subscribe-omtimes-magazine/Connect with OMTimes on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Omtimes.Magazine/ and OMTimes Radio https://www.facebook.com/ConsciousRadiowebtv.OMTimes/Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmTimes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omtimes/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2798417/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/omtimes/
Are you constantly busy? In this solo episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan explores a powerful but often overlooked leadership principle: the importance of creating space. Drawing from her experience coaching leaders worldwide, Cathleen unpacks how stepping away from constant busyness and perfectionism can unlock greater clarity, impact, and presence. She introduces her signature SPACE method, offering practical ways to build in reflection, set boundaries, and lead with intention. A must-listen for anyone looking to lead with more focus, energy, and purpose, at work or at home. Episode Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 04:13 The Book that changed my view on leadership 07:31 Introducing the SPACE Method: Leading with clarity and confidence 10:46 Responding vs. Reacting: The impact of inner space 15:14 The cost of carrying It all: Leadership and life load 18:43 What your arrival says about your leadership style 22:31 Rediscovering your light: What are your values and vision? 25:50 Where do you need more space? Key Takeaways: Cathleen explains that leadership isn't about doing more, but about creating space to pause and think clearly. She points out how being constantly busy, especially for women leaders, leads to burnout and stresses the need to set boundaries. The SPACE Method: Cathleen's method helps leaders stop, reflect, address limiting beliefs, and take clear steps to lead with confidence and ease. Connect: Find | Cathleen O'Sullivan Business: cathleenmerkel.com Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/ FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.
Today we're studying D&C 66:10 in just one minute! Grab your scriptures and let's dive into them together! And grab study guides for the whole family here: - Kristen's scripture study guides are available in digital and physical form here: https://kristenwalkersmith.com/starthere/ - To get Cali's scripture study guide for adults click here: https://comefollowmestudy.com/shop/ Discount code: OMSS Or purchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4WDM8H0 Get our 365-day Doctrine and Covenants daily devotional book: https://a.co/d/aE3Wp4D
Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less by Peggy Sullivan Amazon.com Peggysullivanspeaker.com “Too many people have fallen into the busy cycle that Peggy so accurately and honestly portrays. This book is the wakeup call you need to get back to living.” — Seth Godin, author of The Song of Significance FINALIST FOR THE 2024 BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH Busy is not better. Break the cycle of “just getting stuff done.” If you're feeling unfulfilled at the end of each day because you are busy but never seem to have time for what truly matters (a phenomenon called time poverty), you're not alone. As a recovering “busyness addict,” corporate performance expert Peggy Sullivan's struggle with the cycle of burnout and anxiety—leading to divorce, two totaled cars, a heart attack, and even accidentally eating cat food—led her on a quest for life outside busy . . . a sweet spot where productivity, happiness, and self-care can coexist. Her search led her to create a transformative framework for taking back control of your time and your life that has helped individuals, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Bank of America, and Blue Cross Blue Shield get their employees off the busy treadmill and align their time and work with what's truly important. Grounded in deep research, including the results of a first-of-its-kind 2023 Busy Report, her three-step Busy-Busting Process has been proven to eliminate unintentional busyness, ignite the power of happiness, and unlock a more meaningful life. Beyond Busyness provides a simple, data-backed, and actionable approach to balancing peak performance, self-care, and happiness without sacrificing one for the other. About the author Peggy is a keynote speaker, author, consultant, and trusted researcher. Through her work, she has discovered why busyness is so detrimental to our productivity, health and happiness. Now she's bringing her proven solution for escaping the busyness trap to keynote stages around the world with her signature blend of humor, heart, and honesty. She is on a mission to help individuals and businesses move above the damaging false belief that “busy” always equates to success. With her help, people and organizations are unlocking peak performance, improving self-care, and finding true happiness, without sacrificing one for the other. Peggy has presented for small teams as well as Fortune 500 companies like Google, Bank of America, Blue Cross BlueShield, and Ingram Micro. In her forthcoming book “Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less,” Peggy outlines her signature three-step "Busy Busting" methodology that is actionable, effective and has already helped thousands of people get off the busy treadmill to live the life they were meant to live.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Has someone ever asked you if you live to work or work to live? Did you know this question is one asked on some assessments to evaluate whether a candidate is a fit for a company culture? I will admit, I was a live to work woman for a long time. Over the years I have shifted more to a work to live mentality, but I know God calls us to strike a balance. After all, he created us for work! Living to work means you get up each day with work as your number 1! Working to live feels more like, I cannot wait for my day to end so I can be doing life. If you were hiring someone, how would you want them to answer this question? While I think we likely have seen a shift in how many would answer this question, I wonder how this sits for a prospective employer. If you are a manager or business owner, you want to hire people who are motivated to come to work and do a good job! But I would argue you also want employees who have a good balance of loving their life! As employees, God calls us to do good work as we are his representatives every day, but we need to be mindful we don't get too focused on the live to work mentality! It can be so tempting to pour time into our work, especially if we enjoy our colleagues and our work. The more we live to work, the easier it is for that busyness to be all consuming! Jesus cautions us of the live to work mentality. We see this contrast between Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha is busy and distracted with serving and Mary is sitting at Jesus feet listening to his teaching. Jesus tells Martha she is anxious and troubled about many things but one thing is necessary. One thing is necessary, and that is coming to the feet of Jesus. If you and I are anxious and distracted by living to work, we will clearly miss opportunities to both experience God's love and show God's love to others. Striking a balance, making God first and loving others a close second, is where we need to rest.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen Have you set some goals lately: personal or professional? How are they impacting how you show God's love? Goals are important: personally and professionally. In the context of work, goals help us understand our part in a larger vision or project that impact our organization. Outside of work, goals can help us focus on achieving in other aspects of our life like health or finance. I would argue any good goal can go bad, especially when it takes us away from what is most important to God. Again, Scripture tells us God wants us to love him and love others as we love ourselves. How full is your goal set both at work and personally? Is this filling your time so much that you are not able to love God or love others? We live in a metric-based, title-hungry culture. When we set goals, how are we being measured, and what is the reward? When the measurement and reward become more important than God, we start walking down that slippery slope. Are you in sales? Perhaps you take an extra lead or two that will help win a trip or sweeten a bonus, but this causes a colleague to miss their goal by a margin. Or maybe you end up staying late to get more done and skip a church commitment. Are you working a lot of overtime to make your metrics look better than others at work and miss time connecting with a friend in prayer? Perhaps you feel like you are pulling a lot of weight on a project and complain about a colleague, not knowing they are suffering a personal hardship. Personally, have you set goals that compromise your time spent in God's Word, or are you doing activities you enjoy but keep you away from showing love to your family? Measurement and reward: They are not bad but can become bad when they are not balanced with our thoughts about God and our love for others. We are already winning in the eyes of God if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. How can we show this to others? Maybe you pass those sales leads along, help balance the workload to make your team look better or ask questions when a colleague is falling behind on a project. We are called to walk differently. Our reward is much greater than any trip or title we could ever achieve here on earth! How can we show others this type of love? Not the pizza and coffee love. Not the “I love my dog” love. Not the “I love the way the color looks on you” love. I mean the “I want to share life with you” love—the proverbial “I would give to someone event if it hurt” love. The love that weeps with those who weep and rejoices when others rejoice. When we are too busy, it is easy to give the glossy heart and flowers love. It is harder to focus on and think about how God wants us to show his love to others.
Maria and Allison catch up with each other. Life sometimes comes at us in seasons of heavy activity and having strategies for focus and grounding in the faith are essential. Links for this Episode: Read all articles by Allison Gingras Allison's new book, Jesus Heals Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson Maria's new book, A Beautiful Second Act
Presented by Lauren Stibgen A culture of busyness can keep us from showing God's love. How loosely do we hold this word? Like our notions about time, we also confuse love. A large part of our problem is we love everything and everyone. So, when you pause to think about how to show God's love to others or to explain to them what God's love feels like, maybe it gets lost in the emptiness we often attribute to this word. We all love. When thinking about using the word love, my mind is filled with red and pink hearts, flowers, candies, and other visual or physical ways we see or experience love. I also think about how many times I have used the word love in the prior weeks. I love having coffee with my friends. I love the flowers I buy from a local farmstand. I love my husband. I love my dogs. I proclaim how much I love a friend's dress. I love pizza. I loved our zoom gathering this month. I think you see my point. We fly loosely with the word love, and if we are too busy to reflect on how special God's love for us is, it will be very hard to show it to others. While everything I noted already can help us show God's love to others, we need to go deeper into the meaning of what God wants us to show others. God's love is described as steadfast and enduring, sacrificial, unconditional, personal, and transformative. Perhaps you have heard the word Hesed. This is the deep conventual love in action that God gives to us as a promise. There is nothing we can do to change God's love for us. It never fades. We feel God's sacrificial love in John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). We see his steadfast and enduring love for those that, even though they wander like Israel, God still loves them. We see his transformational love in Jesus' abundant healing ministry. How can we show others this type of love? Not the pizza and coffee love. Not the “I love my dog” love. Not the “I love the way the color looks on you” love. I mean the “I want to share life with you” love—the proverbial “I would give to someone event if it hurt” love. The love that weeps with those who weep and rejoices when others rejoice. When we are too busy, it is easy to give the glossy heart and flowers love. It is harder to focus on and think about how God wants us to show his love to others.
Presented by Lauren Stibgen How are you filling your calendar each day? These days, it is harder to be disconnected and unseen. Even through the lens of work, digital connection and the importance of social media can fill our moments more than we realize. Most companies have an entire marketing and social media strategy, but now we live in a time where personal branding and social media strategies are noted as important for our careers. Gone are the simple days of a resume, and if you are in a job search, it can feel overwhelming. The traditional outplacement or career coach has taken on a new role that focuses on image, connection, and perhaps even developing a website. While the first use of the term personal brand dates back to 1997 in an article in Fast Company Magazine, the notion of personal brands as a strategic career asset is relatively recent. While created in 2003, LinkedIn has exploded in the recent years alongside other platforms. You may be thinking, Lauren, what does this have to do with how I show God's love?! My answer—simply, if we don't pay enough attention to the need for our own attention, it is easy to keep the focus on ourselves and not on others. Now, I am not suggesting a personal brand is bad, but I do want us to think about the time it takes. What are you doing in your spare moments to create your personal brand? If you are in a job search this may be a greater amount of time, but if you are working full-time, this easily creeps into spare moments and evenings. How much time are you spending focused on yourself? And if you are focused on your personal brand, how can you first spend that all important time with God? And how can you show God's love if you are constantly consumed with the social and digital aspects of this personal brand culture? Have you ever paused to consider what the Lord wants for our self-promotion? How would God want us to get noticed? How is God part of your personal brand? And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:5-6). First, as we balance showing our faith at work, we need to consider our intentions always. Are our intentions genuine, or are we trying to be seen? Second, invite God into this practice through prayer. How can he guide how you present yourself? Finally, pause and make sure you are looking at the needs of your neighbors. Don't spend so much time consumed with your digital brand that you forget the importance of connecting with others. Maybe they are struggling with some of the same things. How can you invite God and others into this new era of extra busyness that can easily cause too much self-focus?
Feeling stuck in your weight loss or health journey—even though you're always busy? In this episode, we dive into how busyness and procrastination can be a form of emotional buffering that keeps women over 40 from losing weight and getting healthy. Learn about sneak ways this may be showing up for you. Mentioned in this episode: