Podcasts about not perfection

SummaryIn this episode, Chase and Chris talk all about why tracking data matters when it comes to your health journey. From calories, steps, and workouts, to weight, inches, and photos – it's all useful information that helps you make better choices. A lot of times, we feel like we're doing everything right, but we're not seeing results. That's where data comes in. It helps us see what's really going on and take some of the emotion out of it. You'll learn why “eating healthy” doesn't always mean progress, how to measure your true consistency, and how to stop guessing and start seeing results.Chapters(00:00) Why Data Tracking is Key to Fat Loss(01:43) Sacrifices Don't Always Equal Results(03:28) Why Tracking Is Even More Important Today(05:06) How Modern Convenience Changes the Game(07:14) Food Volume vs. Calorie Content(08:27) Bringing Awareness Without Obsession(09:27) The Role of Emotion in Weight Loss(10:11) Measuring Consistency Accurately(11:44) Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together(12:55) The 80% Consistency Rule(14:50) When Hormones Require More Accuracy(16:00) Why Tracking is Like Bloodwork(18:43) Understanding Output Data: Weight, Inches, Photos(21:07) Why Daily Weigh-ins Can Help(22:21) The Value of Non-Scale Victories(23:35) Emotional Triggers and Logic Responses(25:28) Why We Quit Too Soon(28:03) The Reality of Plateaus(30:53) Your Feelings Aren't Facts – Data Is(31:51) What You Learn From Tracking(33:29) It's About Progress, Not Perfection(33:57) Final Takeaways: Logic Over EmotionSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to be answered on the show: https://forms.gle/B6bpTBDYnDcbUkeD7How to Connect with Us:Chase's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_chase/Chris' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquer_fitness2021/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665770984678334/Interested in 1:1 Coaching: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/1on1-coachingJoin The Fit Fam Collective: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/fit-fam-collective

Summary:In this Coaches Roundtable Q&A episode, Chase and Chris dive into some really good listener questions. They start off by talking about how life gets really busy in the summer and why it's so hard for people to lean on support when they need it most. They explain that asking for help doesn't mean you're doing more—it can actually mean doing less and making things easier. They also answer a question about how to deal with shin pain when starting to jog and give some helpful stretches and tips. Finally, they discuss how to build a mindset that lets you do hard things, even if you struggle with being a perfectionist. You'll learn why doing your best—even if it isn't perfect—is what matters most.Chapters:(00:00) Why It's Hard to Ask for Help(02:00) Leaning Into Support Instead of Avoiding It(05:57) Less Can Be More: Scaling Back Goals(08:29) How Talking It Out Lifts the Weight(09:53) How to Take Action Even When Life Gets Messy(10:16) Q&A: How to Handle Shin Pain from Jogging(13:14) Q&A: Building an "I Can Do Hard Things" Mindset(16:41) Why Perfection Isn't the Goal(19:06) Focusing on Progress, Not Perfection(22:14) The Power of Steady Progress Over Burnout(24:12) Final Thoughts & Podcast UpdatesSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to be answered on the show: https://forms.gle/B6bpTBDYnDcbUkeD7How to Connect with Us:Chase's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_chase/Chris' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquer_fitness2021/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665770984678334/Interested in 1:1 Coaching: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/1on1-coachingJoin The Fit Fam Collective: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/fit-fam-collective

SummaryIn this episode of The Chasing Health Podcast, Chase and Chris dive deep into a common summertime mindset: feeling like it's the worst time to focus on your health. They talk about how many people delay their goals because of vacations, cookouts, or busy schedules, but that just keeps you stuck in the same cycle year after year. Instead, they encourage you to work on building better habits that fit your life now, not later. They break down how real coaching is different from just dieting, it's flexible, realistic, and helps you enjoy your summer while still making progress. Whether it's learning how to enjoy that cookout without guilt, or how to shift routines as summer schedules change, this episode shows you that summer can be a starting point, not a setback.Chapters(00:00) Why Summer Feels So Hard for So Many(01:36) "There's Always Something": The Year-Round Excuse Loop(03:18) Dieting vs Coaching Through Summer(05:07) How Our Clients Are Winning Without Being Perfect(07:00) Life Doesn't Pause—So Why Should Your Goals?(10:29) Dirty Keto, Real Coaching, and Building Flexibility(12:53) Coaching Through Real Life (Even Grad Parties & Ice Cream)(14:35) Planning for Success, Not Perfection(16:51) Tools to Navigate Events Without Diet Guilt(19:06) Breaking the Cycle of Falling Off & Starting Over(22:04) "I'll Start After…" Is Keeping You Stuck(24:23) Changing Routines? Build Better Ones Instead(28:14) When Diets Feel Forced, Coaching Feels Free(29:43) Coaching Is for the Messy, Not the Perfect(31:11) You Don't Wait for Things to Be Perfect to Get Help(32:35) You Need Real Support—Not Just Your Husband(34:31) August Regret vs. August Gratitude: Start Now(35:51) Free Strategy Assessment to Help You Navigate SummerTake the Strategy Assessment to get your FREE Game Plan for Summertime: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/assessment SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to be answered on the show: https://forms.gle/B6bpTBDYnDcbUkeD7How to Connect with Us:Chase's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_chase/Chris' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquer_fitness2021/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665770984678334/Interested in 1:1 Coaching: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/1on1-coachingJoin The Fit Fam Collective: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/fit-fam-collective

What did you think of this episode? Send me a text message and let me know!If you've ever felt guilty for not finishing your plate, even if you're full, and you're not 100% sure why, you might be a member of the Clean Plate Club.In this episode, I invited registered dietitian Emily Sucher to explore how messages from childhood are still impacting our food decisions today. Whether you grew up hearing about starving children or just hate the idea of wasting food, this conversation offers a fresh perspective. Emily shares compassionate ways to tune back into your body's cues, reframe what food waste really means, and help the next generation build a healthier, more intuitive relationship with eating.Connect with EmilyThe Website: www.livewelldietitian.comInstagram:@livewelldietitian_Like what you learned? Check out these other episodes! How to Decode Your Cravings in MenopauseCooking for Pleasure, Not Perfection with Andrea BuckettWhat to Do If Intuitive Eating Doesn't Work with Julie Duffy DillonThe Capacity Crisis: Why Women Feel Emotionally Exhausted in Midlife with Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur, RDParenting Without Diet Culture with Oona HansonDitch the “I'll be good today” loop in 5 days with the Midlife Morning Makeover Email Challenge! ☀️ Head to menopausenutritionist.ca/morningmakeoverClick here to hang out with me on YouTube!Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

This episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast is a conversation with Dr. Gila who is a psychologist, neuropsychologist, and peaceful parenting coach that specializes in supporting single parents. We discuss the unique challenges and blessings of being a single parent, as well as how being a single parent amplifies many aspects of the parental experience. We also cover encouraging research about attachment and how to let go of perfectionism.   We talk about: 6:00 What does the research say about being a single parent? 9:00 Why we should not chase being “perfect” 13:00 Fears, anxieties, and grief single parents experience 14:35 Logistical challenges of being a single parent 16:55 Strategies to manage stress as a single parent 18:23 “Sink metaphor” for self regulation strategies 24:00 The importance and challenge of finding community 32:47 The special relationship you can have with your kids as a single parent   Download the episode transcript HERE    Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.drgilaparenting.com/ Facebook Group: Single-Parenting with Connection, NOT Perfection, with Dr. Gila    Connect with Sarah Rosensweet:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahrosensweet/  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peacefulparentingfreegroup YouTube: Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet @peacefulparentingwithsarah4194 Website: https://reimaginepeacefulparenting.com   Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/peacefulparenting  Newsletter: https://reimaginepeacefulparenting.com/newsletter  Book a short consult or coaching session call: https://book-with-sarah-rosensweet.as.me/schedule.php 

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection"Your next move matters more than your last mistake" is a powerful mindset-shifting phrase. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present and future rather than dwelling on past errors. Here are some key takeaways:- Learn from Mistakes: Use past mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning.- Move Forward: Concentrate on making positive changes and taking constructive actions.

Join Casie Ludemann in this lively and unfiltered spin-off of The A-Life, where she shares her candid thoughts and musings in bite-sized 5-6 minute episodes. Recorded from her kitchen while her adorable pup Remy snoozes away, these quick hits cover everything from New Year's resolutions to the ups and downs of everyday life.In each episode, Casie dives into practical tips for achieving your goals, reflecting on the importance of intention, and breaking down the barriers that hold you back. With a blend of humor and tough love, she reminds you that perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Expect to laugh, relate, and get inspired as she challenges you to embrace small changes for a better you.Don't miss out—subscribe to The A-Life: Rants & Reflections and tune in for your weekly dose of motivation that fits into your busy life. Need some accountability? Share your resolutions and join the amazing community on Facebook for extra support and fun challenges!Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

It's the first week of February and it's time for us to take a look at those new years resolutions. Did you know 80% of people fail to stick with their new year's resolutions within the first month? That's why we need to talk about this!    If you're feeling like you already fell off track with your goals for 2025… first of all, take a deep breath. You are NOT alone. And second—let's reframe this, because falling off track doesn't mean failure. If you're thinking, Ugh, I blew it. I'll try again next year, I need you to stop right there. Your goals don't have an expiration date, and just because you lost momentum doesn't mean you have to quit. And that's why in today's episode of Embrace Your Real, I want to share five powerful mindset shifts that will help you shake off the guilt, get back on track, and move forward with confidence.  What I discuss:  1. Falling Off Track is Normal—Stop Making It Mean Something About You 2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection 3. Reevaluate what's realistic For You… 4. Make It Stupidly Simple 5. Your Success is Inevitable—If You Keep Going   If you want more from me, be sure to check out... Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

Join Casie Ludemann in this lively and unfiltered spin-off of The A-Life, where she shares her candid thoughts and musings in bite-sized 5-6 minute episodes. Recorded from her kitchen while her adorable pup Remy snoozes away, these quick hits cover everything from New Year's resolutions to the ups and downs of everyday life.In each episode, Casie dives into practical tips for achieving your goals, reflecting on the importance of intention, and breaking down the barriers that hold you back. With a blend of humor and tough love, she reminds you that perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Expect to laugh, relate, and get inspired as she challenges you to embrace small changes for a better you.Don't miss out—subscribe to The A-Life: Rants & Reflections and tune in for your weekly dose of motivation that fits into your busy life. Need some accountability? Share your resolutions and join the amazing community on Facebook for extra support and fun challenges!Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

Chasing Progress, Not Perfection

Join Casie Ludemann in this lively and unfiltered spin-off of The A-Life, where she shares her candid thoughts and musings in bite-sized 5-6 minute episodes. Recorded from her kitchen while her adorable pup Remy snoozes away, these quick hits cover everything from New Year's resolutions to the ups and downs of everyday life.In each episode, Casie dives into practical tips for achieving your goals, reflecting on the importance of intention, and breaking down the barriers that hold you back. With a blend of humor and tough love, she reminds you that perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Expect to laugh, relate, and get inspired as she challenges you to embrace small changes for a better you.Don't miss out—subscribe to The A-Life: Rants & Reflections and tune in for your weekly dose of motivation that fits into your busy life. Need some accountability? Share your resolutions and join the amazing community on Facebook for extra support and fun challenges!Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

In this podcast episode, Casie Ludemann discusses her experiences as a busy mom while balancing priorities such as fitness, family, and her podcast. She emphasizes the importance of making health and fitness a consistent priority, even if it means adjusting the focus from time to time. She addresses common misconceptions about workouts, particularly those related to trendy classes like Orange Theory and F45, arguing that while these can be enjoyable, they might not produce the long-term results people seek.Casie explains that building muscle and achieving a toned physique requires progressive overload through consistent strength training, rather than constantly changing workouts. She encourages listeners to consider their fitness goals seriously and to prioritize strength training, viewing classes as supplementary rather than central to their fitness routine.Throughout the episode, she highlights the pivotal role of nutrition in achieving fitness goals, asserting that exercise alone is insufficient without proper dietary habits. Casie concludes with a call for listeners to seek education and professional guidance in their health journey, while maintaining a supportive community around them for motivation.Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

Welcome back to What's Your Skincare Routine with LeAura Luciano! ✨ It's a brand-new year AND our podcast's first anniversary—happy pod-iversary!

Join Casie Ludemann in this lively and unfiltered spin-off of The A-Life, where she shares her candid thoughts and musings in bite-sized 5-6 minute episodes. Recorded from her kitchen while her adorable pup Remy snoozes away, these quick hits cover everything from New Year's resolutions to the ups and downs of everyday life.In each episode, Casie dives into practical tips for achieving your goals, reflecting on the importance of intention, and breaking down the barriers that hold you back. With a blend of humor and tough love, she reminds you that perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Expect to laugh, relate, and get inspired as she challenges you to embrace small changes for a better you.Don't miss out—subscribe to The A-Life: Rants & Reflections and tune in for your weekly dose of motivation that fits into your busy life. Need some accountability? Share your resolutions and join the amazing community on Facebook for extra support and fun challenges!Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

In this episode of "A- Life," host Casie Ludemann welcomes special guest Jared Hamilton, a well-known coach specializing in sustainable weight loss and personal development. Jared shares his unconventional journey from aspiring physical therapist to successful online coach, emphasizing the importance of integrating psychology into his practice. He discusses the concept of "dieting from the inside out," highlighting how clients often face deeper emotional issues that affect their weight loss journeys.Throughout the conversation, Jared emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity and behaviors, encouraging listeners to explore internal barriers to achieving their goals. He shares strategies for helping clients navigate emotional eating, self-sabotage, and perfectionism, advocating for a balanced approach to achieving lasting changes. Casie and Jared also touch on the significance of setting realistic, intrinsic, and identity-based goals, especially as the new year approaches. The episode combines insightful anecdotes with practical advice, making it a valuable listen for anyone interested in personal growth and transformation.Follow Jared @realjaredhamilton

Join Casie Ludemann in this lively and unfiltered spin-off of The A-Life, where she shares her candid thoughts and musings in bite-sized 5-6 minute episodes. Recorded from her kitchen while her adorable pup Remy snoozes away, these quick hits cover everything from New Year's resolutions to the ups and downs of everyday life.In each episode, Casie dives into practical tips for achieving your goals, reflecting on the importance of intention, and breaking down the barriers that hold you back. With a blend of humor and tough love, she reminds you that perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Expect to laugh, relate, and get inspired as she challenges you to embrace small changes for a better you.Don't miss out—subscribe to The A-Life: Rants & Reflections and tune in for your weekly dose of motivation that fits into your busy life. Need some accountability? Share your resolutions and join the amazing community on Facebook for extra support and fun challenges!Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

In this episode of The A-Life, Casie Ludemann shares her candid insights on setting meaningful New Year's resolutions. Recorded from her kitchen, Casie discusses the importance of intentionality and realistic goal-setting, emphasizing the need to focus on one behavior at a time rather than overwhelming yourself with long lists.She explores the significance of creating supportive environments, practicing self-accountability, and appreciating small victories as steps toward larger goals. With a blend of humor and tough love, Casie encourages listeners to embrace the process, share their goals, and seek community support. Join her for practical tips that will help you make 2025 your best year yet!

"Imposter syndrome isn't always loud. Sometimes, it's the quiet pressure to prove yourself, the subtle doubts that whisper, ‘Am I really enough?'" ~ Rochelle Marie In this episode of Her Leadership Coach, Rochelle dives into the lesser-known side of imposter syndrome—the hidden imposter. This isn't the bold, in-your-face doubt that screams you're a fraud. It's the quieter, more insidious version that shows up in over-preparation, hesitating to take opportunities, or feeling like you constantly need to do more to prove your worth. We'll explore: What hidden imposter syndrome looks like and how it differs from the more recognisable form. Why high-achieving women are particularly vulnerable to this quiet self-doubt. Practical strategies to shift from self-doubt to self-trust, including how to reconnect with your inner champion and take aligned action. How to lead with confidence and inspire others by embracing your authentic worth. Plus, Rochelle shares why recognising these patterns isn't about fixing yourself—it's about rewriting the story imposter syndrome has been telling you. Resources: Clare Josa's TEDx Talk on Imposter Syndrome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsEQUxD0z7I Reshma Saujani's TED Talk: Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC9da6eqaqg Accelerate Your Leadership Platinum Program: https://www.herleadershipway.com/aylpp-info Connect with Rochelle: Join the conversation in the Women in Leadership Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/herleadershipway On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-marie-hlw/

Join Casie Ludemann in this lively and unfiltered spin-off of The A-Life, where she shares her candid thoughts and musings in bite-sized 5-6 minute episodes. Recorded from her kitchen while her adorable pup Remy snoozes away, these quick hits cover everything from New Year's resolutions to the ups and downs of everyday life.In each episode, Casie dives into practical tips for achieving your goals, reflecting on the importance of intention, and breaking down the barriers that hold you back. With a blend of humor and tough love, she reminds you that perfection isn't the goal—progress is. Expect to laugh, relate, and get inspired as she challenges you to embrace small changes for a better you.Don't miss out—subscribe to The A-Life: Rants & Reflections and tune in for your weekly dose of motivation that fits into your busy life. Need some accountability? Share your resolutions and join the amazing community on Facebook for extra support and fun challenges!Let's keep it real, tackle the chaos of life, and make those resolutions stick—one rant at a time!

In this special milestone episode of Savvy Podcasting for Entrepreneurs, we're celebrating 300 episodes! In this episode, I reflect on my podcasting journey and shares five crucial lessons I've learned along the way. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned podcaster, these insights will help you grow your show, connect with your audience, and keep momentum going. Plus, I am hosting an exciting giveaway—a Podcast Power Hour session! Tune in to learn how to enter and walk away with valuable takeaways to elevate your podcasting game.In this episode:[00:59] – Podcast Power Hour Giveaway Announcement [02:53] – Lesson 1: Podcasting Isn't a Ticket to Overnight Success[03:34] – Lesson 2: Focus on Value, Not Perfection[03:57] – Lesson 3: Build Relationships with Your Audience[04:38] – Lesson 4: Use Podcast SEO to Grow Your Show[05:22] – Lesson 5: Don't Be Afraid to PivotLinks Mentioned

Send us a textIn this inspiring episode, discover how letting go of certain habits can help you grow closer to God. As a certified Christian life and business coach, I share my journey of quitting three specific things that transformed my spiritual life and brought me closer to God. Learn how these changes can positively impact your faith journey too. If you struggle with feeling distant from God despite your efforts, tune in to learn practical steps to deepen your spiritual connection.

If you get a flat tire, you don't get out and slash the other 3. So why would you give up on your fitness/fat loss/health goals after one small bump in the road?Lose the All/Nothing mentality- keep showing up & keep moving, especially after a small set back. Focus on taking actionable steps that will guide you towards success & remember "Progress, NOT Perfection.""If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station.  The longer it takes you to get off, the more expensive the return trip will be."Join us in the Beginner Bootcamp! Use the link here:https://inspirehw.com/Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit.nutritionist?igsh=MTJqZXhjODR2ZzduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrFollow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Young.RD.CPT?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Consistency is HUGE when working towards your goals. It can help you:Build MomentumCreate HabitsYield Sustainable ResultsStrengthen DisciplineAllow for AdaptationKeep you focused on Progress, NOT Perfection"Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently."Join us in the Beginner Bootcamp! Use the link here:https://inspirehw.com/inspire-fitnessFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit.nutritionist?igsh=MTJqZXhjODR2ZzduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrFollow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Young.RD.CPT?mibextid=LQQJ4d

When motivation wanes for working out or sticking to dietary strategies for fat loss, try these approaches:Revisit Your Why- Remind yourself why you started. Reflecting on your reasons can reignite your motivation.Set Realistic Goals- Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable milestones to maintain a sense of accomplishment.Find Enjoyable Activities- Choose exercises and healthy foods you enjoy to make the process more pleasant.Create a Routine- Establish a consistent schedule for workouts and meal planning to build discipline. And work at making the routine a part of your identity.Accountability- Partner with a friend, join a class, or hire a coach (ME!) to keep you accountable and provide support.Track Progress- Keep a journal or use an app to log workouts and meals. Seeing progress can boost motivation.Reward Yourself- Treat yourself to non-food rewards for meeting your goals, such as new workout gear or a massage.Visualize Success- Imagine how reaching your goals will feel and look. This can provide a motivational boost.Give Yourself Some Grace- Recognize that everyone has off days. Don't be too hard on yourself, and get back on track the next day. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection!Maintaining motivation is a common challenge, but with these strategies, you can find ways to stay on track with your fitness and dietary goals.Don't Lose Your FIRE!Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit.nutritionist?igsh=MTJqZXhjODR2ZzduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrFollow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Young.RD.CPT?mibextid=LQQJ4dClick here for services: https://inspirehw.com/

This is a rebroadcast. This episode originally aired May 11, 2023.The definition of a “win” is different in high conflict situations as opposed to ordinary conflict. Not recognizing that a win looks quite different can inadvertently escalate conflict or take a few steps backwards. In today's episode, Megan and Bill talk about:defining what it means to “win” in high conflictdo you need to reach an expected outcome to have successtemptation to keep going when you should stopwhen do you know if you've wonchoosing your battlesavoid opening up emotions focusing on keeping people focused on thinking and doingLinks & Other NotesBOOKS5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your LifeCalming Upset People with EARIt's All Your Fault!ARTICLESTips On Offering Mediation To A High Conflict EmployeeOur website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/Submit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:16) - How to Avoid Sabotaging a Successful Interaction (03:25) - Definition of a Win in High Conflict Situations (06:02) - Choosing Your Battles (07:57) - Praise vs. Opening Up Emotions (10:17) - Making Progress, Not Perfection (13:03) - Fuhgedaboudits (18:32) - Blame as Indicator (21:21) - Coming Next Week: Exposure and Humiliation as a High-Conflict Strategy

Ever wondered how to build a successful business from a podcast and get millions of downloads every month? Get ready to be inspired by Lindsay McMahon, a veteran podcaster who shares her incredible journey from teaching English as a Second Language to co-founding and running a highly successful podcast for 10 years - All Ears English. Lindsay uncovers the secrets behind her show's growth to 8 million downloads per month, emphasizing the crucial role of consistency in producing thousands of episodes, memorable branding, and smart collaborations. You'll hear about the unique choices she made, like using bright yellow cover art and maintaining an authentic, conversational style that has won over a dedicated global audience.But it's not just about tactics; it's about heart. Lindsay reveals her core philosophy of "Connection, Not Perfection," a belief born from her own language learning struggles in South America. This approach prioritizes human connection over flawless grammar, resonating deeply with listeners and shaping her brand's identity.  Whether you're an aspiring podcaster or simply curious about the power of authenticity, Lindsay's insights will leave you motivated and ready to take action.Lindsay's Web Site & Podcast All Ears EnglishSend us a Text Message, give feedback on the episode, suggest a guest or topic Visit the Remarkable Marketing Podcast website to see all our episodes.Visit the Remarkable Marketing Podcast on YouTube Remarkable Marketing Podcast Highlights on InstagramEric Eden on LinkedIn

“Perfection is not a standard that can be met, but improvement absolutely is. Know that the IRS doesn't expect you to be perfect. The IRS mandate is to collect the substantially correct amount of tax, not the exact amount.”Managing taxes can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially when one partner is self-employed. In this part 2 episode, Hannah Cole from Sunlight Tax joins again to share her journey, filled with stressful moments and heated arguments, all stemming from her initial lack of tax knowledge. She and Ed debunk the myth of tax perfection and focus on the importance of continual learning and improvement, particularly for freelancers who grapple with tracking profits and losses. Discover how couples can achieve financial harmony by understanding each other's financial responsibilities and the unique pressures faced by the primary breadwinner.Freelancers and sole proprietors often find themselves lost in a maze of tax complexities. Many stumble into freelancing and are suddenly expected to master bookkeeping and tax management. Hannah reveals practical tips on the appropriate levels of bookkeeping and the tools to use based on the scale of one's business. This conversation empowers freelancers to manage their finances with confidence and avoid common pitfalls.Financial transparency between spouses is critical, especially when dealing with joint tax returns and the nuances of self-employment taxes. Hannah and Ed dive into the different fee structures of financial advisors and the necessity of estimated quarterly taxes for freelancers. Hannah's insights demystify the tax process and provide actionable advice for alleviating tax-related anxiety. Listen in for a revealing discussion that will help you take control of your financial well-being and foster a healthier financial relationship with your partner.Key Topics:Taxes, Financial Intimacy, and Couples' Knowledge Gaps (02:18)Financial Management for Small Businesses: Profits and Losses, Owner's Compensation, and Equity (04:42)Accounting for Freelancers and Small Businesses (11:59)Financial Literacy, Bookkeeping, and Gender Dynamics in Personal Finance (16:42)Financial Advisor Fees and Transparency (25:54)Joint Tax Returns and Financial Transparency in Marriage (29:22)Quarterly Tax Payments (34:04)Wrap-Up and Parting Wisdom: Aim for Improvement, Not Perfection (39:02)Resources:Sunlight TaxSunlight PodcastConnect With Healthy Love and Money: Schedule your free 30-Minute Discovery Call About Therapy-Informed Financial Planning™. Learn about your money and attachment style with this short Attachment Style Quiz. Buy the Double Award Winning Book: The Healthy Love and Money Way. Hit Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Player To Get

The All or Nothing mentality makes us feel like we need to adhere perfectly to our goals & plans, or we feel we have failed completely. This mindset can lead to extreme behaviors with nutrition & exercise & is not at all helpful for long term success. This mindset is common among women who are working on their fitness & fat loss goals & isn't all that helpful. The All/Nothing mentality can be changed. I encourage women to focus on PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION & work towards sustainable  behavior change. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit.nutritionist?igsh=MTJqZXhjODR2ZzduaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrFollow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Casey.Young.RD.CPT?mibextid=LQQJ4dClick here for services: https://inspirehw.com/

In this episode the spotlight is on guest Craig Davis in a riveting discussion as Phil and Craig delve into their similar coaching styles, underscoring the significance of mindset in shaping our outcomes. They navigate the delicate balance between factual analysis and emotional intelligence in decision-making processes. The conversation is packed with insights, as Craig, shares the experiences and strategies that have led him to success. This episode is a must-listen for those seeking to understand the power of mindset and how to build momentum in your business. Craig Davis has been in leadership for over 20 years serving the Mortgage Industry. He discovered early in his career that his joy is found in helping others achieve more; therefore, helping his team succeed in turn fueled his success. He founded Ascend Xperience Coaching and Speaking with that same passion, to help his clients succeed on purpose, and in their design. He is a conqueror of cancer, a family man, a buddy, and in his own words, just a good human…   02:00 - It's Okay to Feel Stuck, It's Not Okay to Remain Stuck 04:55 - Mindset is In Our Control and Shapes our Outcomes 08:00 - Challenges Create Choices, Which Create Opportunity 10:15 - We are Built Emotionally 12:35 - Progress, Not Perfection 15:10 - The Gap and the Gain 17:35 - Confidence is a Skill We Learn 20:25 - From Motivation to Momentum 23:00 - Finding Your Action Steps 27:10 - How to Get More Business 30:50 - People Connect with People, Not Product 32:30 - Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome 35:00 - Daily Ozone Planner 36:00 - Focus on Your Process 37:30 - Connect with Craig: Instagram | LinkedIn Get Craig's Daily Ozone Planner: https://ascendxc.com/ozone/   LEARN MORE ABOUT M1 ACADEMY COACHING If you are enjoying the MME podcast, please take a second and LEAVE US A REVIEW, and JOIN our text group: 214-225-5696

ABOVE ALL ELSE #13Hey Friend, What comes up inside when you hear the phrase, “Done is better than perfect”? Great, I don't care anyway. Perfection is overrated, and honestly, I've got better things to do than fuss over every little detail. Let's just get it done and move on.Good, I'm tired of trying. I'm exhausted from striving for perfection and done is definitely better than perfect at this point. I just need a break from trying so much.No way, I can't NOT do it “right”. I struggle believing anything less than perfect is acceptable. I always aim for excellence, even if it means sacrificing my time.No matter your response, there's a little bit of PERFECTIONISM in all of us.That's because we're made in the image of a PERFECT God, but we have IMPERFECT hearts living in an IMPERFECT world, and we'll never reach PERFECTION this side of heaven.So instead of WASTING TIME bowing to the idol of PERFECTION, let's admit we are NOT good enough, but He IS with the 3 steps to let go of this lesser thing that likely is getting too much of your time, attention + affectionAnd embrace PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION as instead of looking to yourself to be perfect, you look to Him to perfect you.I pray this blesses, challenges and moves you to action!L.Y.L.A.S. (Love Ya Like A Sis)LissaP.S. REDEEM your FREE Ticket (& Time) by registering for the CEOs DECLUTTER SHOULD-DO's Workshop Series April 9-11….and get access to the EARLYBIRD Bonus Guide 3 CEO Foundational Decisions for a Well-Built Business WITH-GodP.P.S. Take your next best step and submit your application to a BUSYNESS BREAKTHROUGH CALL…and discover the key to stop chasing the clock and start REDEEMING your Time in both Life + Biz WITH God.Visit the REDEEM Her Time Website https://redeemhertime.comJoin the conversation inside the REDEEM Her Time CommunityGrab the free FILL YOUR CUP FIRST Guide + Coaching Video

ABOVE ALL ELSE #13Hey Friend, What comes up inside when you hear the phrase, “Done is better than perfect”? Great, I don't care anyway. Perfection is overrated, and honestly, I've got better things to do than fuss over every little detail. Let's just get it done and move on.Good, I'm tired of trying. I'm exhausted from striving for perfection and done is definitely better than perfect at this point. I just need a break from trying so much.No way, I can't NOT do it “right”. I struggle believing anything less than perfect is acceptable. I always aim for excellence, even if it means sacrificing my time.No matter your response, there's a little bit of PERFECTIONISM in all of us.That's because we're made in the image of a PERFECT God, but we have IMPERFECT hearts living in an IMPERFECT world, and we'll never reach PERFECTION this side of heaven.So instead of WASTING TIME bowing to the idol of PERFECTION, let's admit we are NOT good enough, but He IS with the 3 steps to let go of this lesser thing that likely is getting too much of your time, attention + affectionAnd embrace PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION as instead of looking to yourself to be perfect, you look to Him to perfect you.I pray this blesses, challenges and moves you to action!L.Y.L.A.S. (Love Ya Like A Sis)LissaP.S. REDEEM your FREE Ticket (& Time) by registering for the CEOs DECLUTTER SHOULD-DO's Workshop Series April 9-11….and get access to the EARLYBIRD Bonus Guide 3 CEO Foundational Decisions for a Well-Built Business WITH-GodP.P.S. Take your next best step and submit your application to a BUSYNESS BREAKTHROUGH CALL…and discover the key to stop chasing the clock and start REDEEMING your Time in both Life + Biz WITH God.Visit the REDEEM Her Time Website https://redeemhertime.comJoin the conversation inside the REDEEM Her Time CommunityGrab the free FILL YOUR CUP FIRST Guide + Coaching Video

What does your family think about money? This powerful question could be the answer to to shifting your family legacy forever!  Today, we're excited to bring you insights from Garrett Gunderson, a close friend and brilliant mind in the realms of wealth creation and preservation! Garrett's journey is not just about accumulating wealth; it's about investing in oneself and understanding the value of money in creating a fulfilling life. Garrett shared the transformative impact of involving his family in his entrepreneurial ventures, highlighting the importance of exposing children to the value creation process. He believes that teaching kids and even ourselves to invest in our passions and interests is crucial. This approach fosters a sense of worth and encourages personal growth beyond just financial gains. One of the most powerful takeaways from our chat was the concept of money being a tool for exchange, not a measure of our value. By shifting the conversation around money from scarcity to abundance, we can inspire our children and ourselves to see money as a byproduct of adding value to the world. Garrett's new children's book, "I Am Money," introduces these concepts in a way that's accessible and engaging for kids, encouraging them to see themselves as valuable beyond their material possessions. It's a must-read for families looking to instill healthy financial habits and a positive mindset about wealth from an early age. We love how Garrett gives families freedom in the journey and helps us all understand that utilizing money effectively is ongoing. It's about progress, not perfection. Let's continue to learn, grow, and support each other in creating a family culture that values personal growth, contribution, and meaningful success. Ready to dive deeper into these insights and learn how to foster a healthy relationship with money in your family? Hit play now and let's invest in ourselves and our families, shaping a future where money serves as a tool for fulfilling our true potential. PS: Don't forget to check out Garrett's book "I Am Money" for a fun and educational read with your kids! Find the link for that and to our Family Brand Course below!    LINKS: Website: familybrand.com Social: Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourfamilybrand Facebook: www.facebook.com/FamilyBrandOfficial YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCGu-7odB6gkPbyXpUIQLkrg Twitter: https://twitter.com/OurFamilyBrand   NEW: What Culture are You Creating In Your Family? Take the Quiz Now! https://familybrand.com/quiz   Links From This Episode:  Garrett's Website: https://garrettgunderson.com/  Books by Garrett Gunderson: https://amzn.to/3SELZsY    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:43 Introduction to Guest Garrett Gunderson 01:33 Sharing Personal Experiences and Bonding 01:57 Travel Adventures and Challenges 02:36 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Family Involvement 03:00 Teaching Kids About Money and Value Creation 04:53 Involving Kids in Business and Learning 05:40 Family Meetings and Value Discussions 06:20 Family Values and Rules 07:11 Exposing Kids to Value Creation 08:29 Inviting Kids into Our Lives 14:35 Teaching Kids About Earning Money 20:00 The Impact of Owning More 25:29 Raising Kids with a Healthy Money Mindset 25:46 The Power of Language in Shaping Our Money Mindset 26:43 Reframing Our Questions Around Money 27:00 The Negative Narratives We Hold About Money 27:37 Money as a Byproduct, Not a Measure of Value 28:15 Exploring Our Personal Money Stories 28:48 The Impact of Social Media on Our Perception of Wealth 29:37 Investing in Ourselves: The Ultimate Bet 31:08 The Importance of Asking Better Questions 31:27 Money as a Store of Value, Not a Measure of Worth 33:11 The Power of Investing in Yourself 33:43 The Emotional Charge Around Money 43:36 The Importance of Enjoying the Process, Not Just the Outcome 46:06 Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection  

PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!! https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248 or https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242 Save Your Receipt! We will be offering bonuses for pre-orders ASAP. GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK: https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MY LATEST BESTSELLING BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes. Grab your free ticket today to the Plant-Based Beginner's Bootcamp - https://bit.ly/plantbasedbootcamp-register Kim Murphy passionately advocates for simple and healthy eating, focusing on "Progress, Not Perfection" to help busy people discover the incredible benefits of a whole food plant-based lifestyle. As an Amazon Best-Selling author of her book "Plant Powered" and a trusted coach to thousands, Kim's expertise is backed by her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, as well as her Health Coaching Certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Kim founded Simply Plant Based Kitchen and her program Plant Powered Life, where she empowers others to embrace a nourishing plant-based lifestyle for optimal health and well-being. Kim is hosting a FREE 5-day Challenge called the Plant-Based Beginner's Bootcamp starting January 29th. This will be a fun & motivating event to help you begin (or reboot) your plant-based lifestyle. There will be daily live masterclasses & cooking demos, easy & delicious recipes, prize giveaways, and a supportive Facebook group to help you get started right. You'll learn how to eat plant-based to improve your health, prevent or reverse chronic diseases, and even lose weight without hunger or deprivation. Kim lives in Cedar Park, TX, near Austin with her husband, Shawn, and two boys, Mason & Hayden. They have 2 Huskies, Daphnis & Chloe, and two cats, Marshmallow & Cocoa. You can find out more about Kim & Simply Plant Based Kitchen here: Air Fried Vegan Chicken Strips Recipe- https://bit.ly/veganchickenstripsrecipe Vegan Yum Yum Sauce Recipe - https://bit.ly/veganyumyumsaucerecipe Amazon Best-Selling Book, “Plant Powered” by Kim Murphy - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6BXFJVP?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzchefajsh-20&creativeASIN=B0C6BXFJVP&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin Website - https://simplyplantbasedkitchen.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/simplyplantbasdkitchen Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/simplyplantbasedkitchen Plant Based Beginner's Bootcamp Registration - https://bit.ly/plantbasedbootcamp-register

Progress, Not Perfection. It's what I remind myself of often. Because, as a recovering perfectionist, I am well-aware of my tendencies to waste time trying to make something perfect. Unfortunately, my perfectionist tendencies can sometimes hold me back or even keep me from reaching my goals. And my guess is that I'm not alone in this struggle. That's why today, I'm sharing six hacks to help you DEFEAT your perfectionist tendencies and actually make progress on your goals and dreams. If procrastination, fear of failure, all-or-nothing thinking, or being self-critical is something you have struggled with, it might be killing your productivity. The good news is that there is a way to break free! Better Together, Christine   MENTIONS Setting Growth Goals: https://milspousemastermind.com/growthwheel Leave a Show Review: https://milspousemastermind.com/show Episode 139: Afraid to Fail? Worried You Won't Be Successful? One Simple Shift That Will Transform Your Life and Business As a Military Spouse   RESOURCES Free Clarity Workshop: https://milspousemastermind.com/workshop Free Milspouse Community: https://milspousemastermind.com/community What Matters Most Worksheet: https://milspousemastermind.com/values  Self-Guided Clarity Course: https://morethanamilspouse.com Work With Me: milspousemastermind.com/unstuck

In a world that often demands perfection, it's essential to remember that progress is the real key to personal growth and success especially when it aligns with the will of God. Join us in exploring the powerful concept of "Progress, Not Perfection'' by Rev. Becher. #citamchurchonline #ChurchEveryday Get in touch with us: http://www.citam.org/ churchonline@citam.org (+254) 784 277 277 (+254) 728 221 221

Hello & welcome back! In today's episode, we delve into the intricate dance between ambition, motherhood and entrepreneurship. My guest, Carrie Kwan, co-founder of Mums & Co., joins me to share her wisdom, insights, and practical tips on navigating the complexities of modern life as a business owning Mum. Carrie's mission in life is to help women harmonise ambition (business and career goals); livelihood (family and financial routine); and wellbeing (individual physical, mental and spiritual health).  And Mumbition™ is the Mums & Co word for it. The unapologetic blending of motherhood and ambition. We've recently collab'd with her to produce a Mums & Co x Dream Life Mumbition™ Journal – which guides working Mums through a simple, valuable and regular journaling practise. And, whether you're a Mum seeking harmony between motherhood and ambition, an aspiring entrepreneur looking for guidance, or anyone in search of practical life lessons, this episode will inspire and inform. In this episode you will: Discover the power of quarterly planning as a tool to reset and refocus your goals. Embrace the philosophy of "Progress, Not Perfection," and learn why ambitious dreams are worth pursuing even if they take time. Explore the art of journaling to capture ideas and thoughts - fostering creativity and reflection in your daily life. Uncover the secrets of effective networking and making respectful, specific asks to build a supportive community around you. Embrace continuous learning and collaboration as tools for personal and professional growth and find out how curiosity can be your greatest ally.   As always, I'd LOVE to hear what resonates with you – and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share below and let's keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook group here.     Have a wonderful week …and Dream Big! Love, K Dream Life Founder  PS: More info on the collab and how to use the journal here...   SHOW NOTES: Find out more about the Mums & Co x Dream Life Mumbition™ Collaboration Journal here… designed to help ambitious mothers achieve their dreams while balancing their responsibilities. Mums & Co. - The platform founded by Carrie Kwan to empower and support mothers in business. Lean Start-up by Eric Ries - A recommended book by Carrie for those interested in entrepreneurship. Business Model Generation - Another book suggested by Carrie for business enthusiasts. Curious about Kristina's previous podcast guest, Luke Cook. Check out the episode where they discussed entrepreneurship and life. Learn more about the upcoming Be MPowered Conference and how you can participate in this empowering event. Want to transform your life and wellness with help from me? Join our Platinum Coaching Program and hang around positive like-minded people. Learn more here… Join my virtual book club GROW where we read and meet online weekly to squeeze the learnings from great books. Learn more here… Take your first step to getting clarity on what you want from life with this free bonus dreaming exercise here 101 Dreams Audio Guide    RESOURCES: Take the Quiz here… "Discover How on Track You Are to Living Your Dream Life" and uncover valuable insights into where you're at and how your own path forward can look. BONUS free 150 Dreams to Inspire You: The Top Dreams of Real People - 30 Page Downloadable pdf. Download here… Buy my book Your Dream Life Starts Here. Join our Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here - and jump into discussions & learning with like-minded people.  Learn about my Habit Club here... Help up spread this inspiring message to even more people by sharing our podcast on social media with the hashtag #101milliondreamers  Download a review of My Top 10 Favourite Books of all time Shop inspiring & meaningful products at The Dream Life Store here. For in-depth guidance on how to plan quarterly effectively access our video workshop here.. Use this journal to plan your Quarter… Follow Kristina on Instagram  Follow Kristina on Facebook  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew and Mike discuss the common pitfalls and mistakes that aspiring entrepreneurs often face when starting a business. They emphasize the importance of getting started now, rather than striving for perfection, and share strategies for breaking even and generating revenue. Furthermore, they highlight the significance of automating processes and structuring a business for scalability. Listeners will learn valuable insights on managing time efficiently, outsourcing tasks, and adopting corporate principles for business growth. Topics Covered: 00:00:00 Kickstarting Your Business: How to Break Even and Accelerate Growth 00:01:19 Overcoming the Trap of Perfect Websites: It's About Progress, Not Perfection 00:06:33 Dive In: Typical Blunders New Entrepreneurs Should Avoid 00:09:32 Mastering Time: Efficient Organizing & Prioritizing for Business Growth Connect with The Better Than Rich: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BTR Mini-Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/betterthanrichshow/message

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Lovewell, beloved Peloton instructor and fitness leader, to discuss her experience of writing her new book Live, Learn, Love Well: Lessons from a Life of Progress, Not Perfection, and the non-linear journey she took to becoming a Peloton instructor. Emma shares what she's learned about the value of saying yes to everything once, taking risks and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and why experience is more fruitful than reward. We discuss her non-competitive relationship with her fellow Peloton leaders, what it's like being one of the few public-facing Asian American fitness instructors, how she creates her workouts and those sought-after playlists, and more.   Key Takeaway / Points: On writing her book, Live, Learn, Love Well: Lessons from a Life of Progress, Not Perfection On her non-linear journey to becoming a Peloton instructor The value of saying yes to everything at least once On taking risks and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone On the value of exposure and experience over reward On cultivating a non-competitive mentality with her fellow Peloton instructors On being one of the few public-facing Asian American fitness instructors On the notion of a celebrity, a professional athlete, and an average rider taking Emma's class together and the messaging that reaches all audiences Whether instructors are *really* working out in the ranges they're giving Emma's process on curating the playlists for her rides What Emma's typical week looks like   Check out Emma's new book Live, Learn, Love Well here Join the ##FFFamCommunity on Peloton   This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.   Order AG1 and get a FREE 1 year supply Vitamin D AND 5 travel packs here Shop Vegamour here and use code CAMERON to get 20% off your first order   Visit Earth Breeze here for 40% off your eco-friendly laundry detergent subscription Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses at Rocketmoney.com/cameron    Follow Emma: Instagram: @emmalovewell Twitter: @emmalovewell TikTok: @emma_lovewell Substack: The Love List   Follow me: Instagram: @cameronoaksrogers Website: freckledfoodie.com TikTok: @cameronoaksrogers Twitter: @freckledfoodie Youtube: Cameron Rogers / Freckled Foodie Pinterest: Freckled Foodie   Creative Lead: Amelie Yeager Produced by Dear Media. 

The definition of a “win” is different in high conflict situations as opposed to ordinary conflict. Not recognizing that a win looks quite different can inadvertently escalate conflict or take a few steps backwards. In today's episode, Megan and Bill talk about: defining what it means to “win” in high conflict do you need to reach an expected outcome to have success temptation to keep going when you should stop when do you know if you've won choosing your battles avoid opening up emotions  focusing on keeping people focused on thinking and doing Links & Other Notes BOOKS 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life Calming Upset People with EAR It's All Your Fault! ARTICLESTips On Offering Mediation To A High Conflict Employee Our website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/ Submit a Question for Bill and Megan All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books. You can also find these show notes at our site as well. Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:39) - How to Avoid Sabotaging a Successful Interaction (03:47) - Definition of a Win in High Conflict Situations (06:24) - Choosing Your Battles (08:19) - Praise vs. Opening Up Emotions (10:39) - Making Progress, Not Perfection (13:26) - Fuhgedaboudits (18:55) - Blame as Indicator (21:44) - Coming Next Week: Exposure and Humiliation as a High-Conflict Strategy Learn more about our exclusive Family Law Consultation Group right here and sign up to be part of the 2024 session today!

She grew her career as a journalist while serving in the US Army. Now the ABC News Network Correspondent reflects on how 9/11 inspired her call to service, the ways her perspective as a veteran informs her story telling, and how she “goes for it” even in the face of fear. Follow Stephanie on Instagram @thestephanieramos. If you liked this episode, listen to Why Lilia Luciano Prepares for Confidence, Not Perfection and Why Investigative Journalist Jean Guerrero is Leaning into the Power of Her Personal Experience.

"We don't have to be in church to minister. We should be ministering every single day, every single moment." —Sue Fries   Leaders have an important duty to serve as good stewards in the best manner possible. Being a great steward isn't easy – it requires thoughtfulness, keen insight, and empathy. Such leaders make decisions that prioritize long-term sustainability rather than short-term gain and are considerate to the impact that their decisions have on all stakeholders and their environment.    In this episode, Termite Lady Sue Fries joins Daniel to talk about what stewardship means in leadership and how to achieve excellence in that field. Listen in as they share battle-tested tips on how we can bloom wherever we're planted, the importance of identifying healthy and unhealthy boundaries, how to be a maximizer, 2 things that leaders need to be, why excellence should always be the goal, and why we should keep going and not give up. Be Inspired! with Daniel:  Website (Makings of a Millionaire Mindset) Website (Daniel Gomez Global) Facebook Facebook Group Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest YouTube Episode Highlights: 04:24 Bloom Where You're Planted 11:27 Present in the Present with Your Presence 15:02 Open Up Your Ceilings  18:17 How to Be Good Stewards  24:33 2 Things That Leaders Need to Be 31:09 Excellence, Not Perfection 35:31 "I Am" 38:11 Glory is Tomorrow

In this week's episode, we discuss the importance of your effort and not allowing perfectionism to stand in your way. Our industry is forever changing. Tools change, skills change, therefore we have to be flexible and move. Using our number one client in our laboratory allows us to be ready BEFORE clients ask for something. Let's discuss further…here we go! The post TBBVA231 – Normalize Effort and Not Perfection in Your Virtual Assistant Business appeared first on Tiffany Parson.

Welcome back to The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast where we bridge the gap between theory and practice, with strategies, tools and ideas we can all use immediately, applied to the most current brain research to heighten productivity in our schools, sports environments and modern workplaces. I'm Andrea Samadi and launched this podcast to share how important an understanding of our brain is for our everyday life and results. Like you, I'm interested in learning and applying the research, to our everyday life. For this week's Brain Fact Friday, I want to look at the Japanese term “Kaizen” that means “change for the better” or “continuous improvement” as we enter the last quarter of 2022. If you follow this podcast, we launched our year with a 6 PART study of the bestselling book, Think and Grow Rich, that ended with EPISODE #196[i] on “The Neuroscience Behind the 15 Success Principles of Napoleon Hill's Classic Book, Think and Grow Rich” ensuring that we all make 2022 our best year ever with this detailed study. I've been studying this book chapter by chapter, at the start of every year, since 2019, which doesn't seem like a long time, but if you go back to this book study, you'll see that it's quite intensive. The notes I share came from 2 of my mentors who have studied this book for their entire life. It took me to the beginning of February to properly cover these 15 success principles, with enough content in this series to continue to study this book, every year, for the rest of OUR lives, and we will still pick up something new. We will cover this on today's episode, but success with these principles doesn't happen immediately. But it will happen, with time, which is why I think it's crucial to revisit this book (and success principles) throughout the year, to be sure the concepts are being applied, not just in January, when we are starting our year, but every month of the year, right through to end of Q4. There are 6 STEPS in this book, that I've written on my wall, that when read aloud every day, causes an increase in the amplitude of our thinking, until eventually, our goals become so engrained in our mind, that they become on autosuggestion in our thoughts throughout our day. Napoleon Hill intended this book to be studied over and over again, not just once, but multiple times, for results to occur. We opened this 6 PART series at the start of the year with a quote from Undercover Billionaire Grant Cardone, who said, “In order to get to the next level of whatever we're doing, we must think and act in a wildly different way than we previously have been” and I know I've repeated this quote often throughout the year, (on various episodes) but I'm doing it on purpose, since making any sort of change takes time. It doesn't happen overnight, or immediately, or how our brain wants to see things unravel, because success is nonlinear[ii]. I heard this concept the other day, and it made me stop and think for a minute. When you hear “success in nonlinear” what do you think about? I thought about that image of the person riding their bike with their plan in mind, towards their goal, but in reality, there are many obstacles along the way.   We all will have our ups and downs, but what I'm hoping to show with this episode, is that our results will happen predictably, by taking certain actions, day in and day out, with our desired outcomes in our mind, that eventually become on autosuggestion, as we move towards our goals, overcoming the obstacles along the way. This will encourage all of us, that no matter what results we see today, in front of our eyes, that we must never give up, as you might just be giving up 3 feet before gold,[iii] (which is a concept from Chapter 1 of Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich book) that says “one of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.” (Napoleon Hill, Chapter 1, Think and Grow Rich). Which brings to my mind another image of this guy giving up as he was almost about to hit it big, discovering the diamonds underground, when another guy, (right above him in the image) who is determined to keep moving forward. When you hear “success is nonlinear” what comes to your mind? Stop and think about this for minute, because there is much more to this concept than meets the eye. When I'm looking at the images that come to my mind (the guy on a bike with the obstacles, or the guy digging for diamonds) these images are missing something important—they are missing the huge quantum leap in results that occur for those who don't give up. After digging a bit, (pun intended here) I found an article that explained what I was looking for from Thomas Waschenfelder and I've put his image in the show notes. IMAGE CREDIT: Success is Not Linear by Thomas Waschenfelder Waschenfelder's diagram “Success is Not Linear” shows two places where people often give up, right before their results were about to shoot up, exponentially. How Does This Apply to Us at This Point in the Year? What if we are in Q4 of 2022, and it's not panning out to be our best year ever? We listened to many different podcasts for new ideas, we took notes, and applied what we could, but life looks pretty much the same in October as it did in January. Most of us would be tempted to give up as we can't see the quantum leap (your end result) when you're looking forward. It will only be evident once we hit our goal, and it will be at that point that you'll be able to explain it to others. If you've attained your goals this year, that's awesome! You held your vision to the end, and now you can now share your strategy with others. But what if you haven't? I'm working on something over here, and I haven't achieved it yet, either, despite all the effort. And there were two specific times (just like in Waschenfelder's diagram) where things didn't go my way, where most people would throw in the towel. But when you look at “how success isn't linear” you can expect the obstacles to appear, and keep going, if you believe in the process. Do You Believe in the Process? I can say honestly that I wouldn't be spending the time to sit at my desk, thinking of how else we could all move the needle forward (myself included), and study the most successful people I know, looking for how science can help us to understand our lives a bit better, if I didn't believe in this process myself.  If you look at Thomas Waschenfelder's image that describes how most of us think that the more effort we put in (we listen to podcasts, gather ideas, but them into action) so success should follow. But this isn't exactly how it works. Waschenfelder describes the process reminding us that “the amount of work you put in does not correlate to the success you enjoy at any given moment.” Most people will give up when they don't see the immediate rewards, and this made me think back to the book You2 by Price Pritchett that I covered on EPISODE #109, February 2021[iv] that was a high velocity formula for multiplying our personal effectiveness in quantum leaps. If you look at Waschenfelder's image, you can see two places where most people give up. But look at what happens if they kept going! He says it himself. “With one additional move, they see a giant, disproportionally huge impact.” If this is you, doing the work, and not yet seeing the results, go back and listen to EP 109 on the principles of YOU2 that will guarantee you “an explosive jump in your personal performance that puts you far beyond the next logical step.” (Price Pritchett, Page 5, You2). Then when you think that “success is not linear” you'll have a new image formed in your mind, with all the obstacles along with the way, and the goal, right next to that exponential, quantum leap at the end. And Now What? (you ask). This brings us to this week's Brain Fact Friday and how the Japanese term Kaizen, can help us. DID YOU KNOW that “the Japanese term Kaizen, or the practice of using small steps for continuous improvement “actually originated with the U.S Military?” (Friederike Fabritius, points this out in her book, The Leading Brain: Work Smarter, Better, Happier) that we covered when we interviewed her way back on EPISODE #27[v] one of our early episodes. I'm thrilled to share that she will be joining us again soon with her new book coming out October 11th (next week) called The Brain Friendly Workplace[vi] but until then, I wanted to tie this powerful concept of Kaizen, that's used by the U.S. Military (so we know it must be good) with our brain, so we can all benefit from this concept, for the remainder of 2022, and see if it can help us to make a “Quantum Leap or Explosive Jump in our personal or professional performance, that puts us far beyond the next logical step.” (Pritchett) Friederike, in her book, The Leading Brain says that “procrastination is the principle impediment to initiating any habit change. Large goals can seem intimidating unless broken down into manageable steps. Kaizen, the practice of using small steps, can help you to avoid the threat response (in our brain) that frequently drives procrastination.” When I saw the concept of Kaizen, I thought we could easily apply it to our health and wellbeing, (in addition to our professional lives). Or any place where there's too much for our brain to handle, so we don't do anything at all. This strategy can be used in any field to take our results to the next level. I saw Dr. Mark Eley[vii] point out that the Kaizen cycle could be used in education with PLC, as the steps can help educators “to achieve better results for the students they serve.” (DuFour, DuFour & Eaker, 2002).[viii] Whatever sector you are working in, (education, sports, health and wellness) I hope you can see how the Kaizen approach is one way of finding solutions, and breaking through to new levels of achievement, creating your quantum leap. How Can You Use the Kaizen Strategy in the Workplace? STEP 1: Get Your Team Together STEP 2: Write Out Your List of Problems STEP 3: Brainstorm Solutions, Then Choose Yours. STEP 4: Test the Solution STEP 5: Regularly Measure and Analyze the Results STEP 6: If Successful, Adopt the Solution STEP 7: Repeat the Process Keep in mind Thomas Waschenfelder's image as you are working through the 7 steps to break through to new levels of achievement in your workplace, as there will be times throughout that members of the team will want to give up, if they can't see the end results a quantum leap that's miles ahead of where they are now. How Can You Use the Kaizen Strategy for Improved Health? For our health, it looks a lot like what I'm doing when I'm testing products and sharing them with you here on the podcast. When our podcast took a turn towards health and wellness during the pandemic, we began to focus narrowly on the TOP 5 health staples[ix] (exercise, sleep, healthy diet, optimizing our microbiome, and intermittent fasting). Narrowing in on these health staples makes it easier to pinpoint where our challenges are. While recently reading Dr. Tom O'Bryan's book, You Can Fix Your Brain: Just 1 Hour a Week to the Best Memory, Productivity, and Sleep You've Ever Had[x] he mentioned how intimidating it can be to improve our health, with all the different theories, diets, and advice, that often contradicts each other and it's not uncommon to “find ourselves immobilized with minimal results, or not getting better at all.” (O'Bryan, You Can Fix Your Brain). Dr. O'Bryan talks about dedicating just one hour a week to make significant changes with our health, and I wondered how he could guarantee change in this way. In the first few pages of the book he offered a tip that I'll never forget, that will change my brain health forever.  He offers this brain health tip in the first few pages of his book called “A Note from the Author: Progress, Not Perfection” that reminds us that significant gains can occur when we do things the “Kaizen” way. This is just one brain health tip he shares, but I'll never forget it. He says-- This one simple maneuver every time you pump gas, over a lifetime, dramatically reduces the amount of benzene we are exposed to. The Kaizen way. Small actions add up over our lifetime. So to conclude this episode and review this week's Brain Fact Friday, DID YOU KNOW that “the Japanese term Kaizen, or the practice of using small steps for continuous improvement “actually originated with the U.S Military?” and that “the secret for kaizen is that it operates below the radar of your brain's threat response and that the actions you are taking are so small, so incremental, and seemingly inconsequential that psychologist Robert Maurer, (says they really) Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way” (Friederike Fabritius). Whether we are using the Kaizen way for our professional or personal lives, we can take small steps towards progress, every day, that one day, will yield our Quantum Leap that puts us far beyond the next logical step. When you hit your Quantum Leap, I'd love to hear about it. Until then, I'm still working on mine! I'll see you next week.  RESOURCES: Think and Grow Rich Book Study with Andrea Samadi Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 190 PART 1 “Making 2022 Your Best Year Ever”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-1-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #191 PART 2 on “Thinking Differently and Choosing Faith Over Fear”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-2-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever-by-thinking-differently-and-choosing-faith-over-fear/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #193 PART 3 on “Putting Our Goals on Autopilot with Autosuggestion and Our Imagination”   https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-3-using-autosuggestion-and-your-imagination-to-put-your-goals-on-autopilot/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #195 PART 4 on “Perfecting the Skills of Organized Planning, Decision-Making, and Persistence” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-4-on-perfecting-the-skills-of-organized-planning-decision-making-and-persistence/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #195 PART 5 on “The Power of the Mastermind, Taking the Mystery Out of Sex Transmutation, and Linking ALL Parts of Our Mind” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-5-on-the-power-of-the-mastermind-taking-the-mystery-out-of-sex-transmutation-and-linking-all-parts-of-our-mind/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #196 PART 6 “The Neuroscience Behind the 15 Success Principles of Napoleon Hill's Classic Book, Think and Grow Rich” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/the-neuroscience-behind-the-15-success-principles-of-napoleon-hill-s-classic-boo-think-and-grow-rich/ REFERENCES: [i] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #196 “The Neuroscience Behind the 15 Success Principles of Napoleon Hill's Classic Book, Think and Grow Rich” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/the-neuroscience-behind-the-15-success-principles-of-napoleon-hill-s-classic-boo-think-and-grow-rich/ [ii] Success is Nonlinear: Why Most People Give Up Before the Rewards Published June 5, 2020 by Thomas Waschenfelder https://www.wealest.com/articles/success-is-nonlinear?format=amp [iii] Napoleon Hill's 3 Feet from Gold https://www.selfhelpdaily.com/napoleon-hills-three-feet-from-gold/ [iv] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #109 on “Achieving Quantum Level Results Using Pritchett's You2 Principles” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/achieving-quantum-leap-results-using-price-pritchetts-you-squared-principles/ [v]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #27 with Pioneer in the Field of Neuroleadership, Friederike Fabritius on “The Recipe for Achieving Peak Performance”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/pioneer-in-the-field-of-neuroleadership-friederike-fabritius-on-the-recipe-for-achieving-peak-performance/ [vi] The Brain Friendly Workplace by Friederike Fabritius published Oct. 11, 2022 https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Friendly-Workplace-Talented-People-Quit-ebook/dp/B0B627QGWB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= [vii] Dr. Mark Eley https://twitter.com/1atatym [viii] What is a PLC by Martin Yan Sept. 25, 2020 https://www.illuminateed.com/blog/2020/09/what-is-a-plc/#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9CPLC%E2%80%9D%20stands%20for,DuFour%20%26%20Eaker%2C%202002). [ix]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE#87 Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Strategies  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/bonus-episode-a-deep-dive-into-the-top-5-health-staples-and-review-of-seasons-1-4/ [x]Dr. Tom O'Bryan You Can Fix Your Brain: Just 1 Hour a Week to the Best Memory, Productivity, and Sleep You've Ever Had https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Fix-Your-Brain-audiobook/dp/B07GTBMFMH  

Today I woke up and knew I had to get this podcast out today. It's not as complete as I'd like but I'm called to Obedience . Not Perfection. I believe my key messages have been delivered.

Hi Cleaning Nation! Welcome to the podcast! Today, we have Amy Shamburger with us here to chat with Mike. Amy started Spark in 2015 in St. Amant, Louisiana. Listen in, as she and Mike talk about what has worked for her and what she's learned these past seven years, and what she is still figuring out. The importance of being honest with yourself about what's really keeping you from following your dreams, and how to make it possible.  6:19 Being Honest With Yourself 11:24 You're In The Business of Bringing Joy to People, Not Perfection 15:30 Is the Solution to Switch to Commercial? Love the idea, but find it overwhelming? Want to learn the next steps like, what to actually say on the call? Jump on a call with one of our coaches and learn strategies on how to grow your cleaning company and start loving your job every day! Book here 

On the 14th episode of the Teacher Interview, we talk to Lindsay McMahon from the #1 ranked All Ears English Podcast and allearsenglish.com! The All Ears English Podcast currently receives millions of downloads per month with over 1,700 total episodes mainly due to their core philosophy: Connection, Not Perfection!Before starting All Ears English, Lindsay taught English in several places around the world including Japan, South America, and the United States. As an avid learner of Spanish, she learned that "textbook" language wasn't helping her connect in her interactions. When she started teaching English, she vowed to incorporate slang and natural English into her lessons and as a result, millions of students have benefited.In this interview, Lindsay shares her best tips and answers the following questions:Why is it important to learn slang and natural English?What does "Connection, not perfection" mean?What are some natural English phrases you heard Americans use during your trip?How can I improve my English?What is your number one sightseeing tip for New Hampshire?and much more!Sign up for the Connected Communicator Course here:Join the Course with a Discount + Bonus Video!On the English 2.0 Podcast, I help you express yourself more naturally and smoothly. We go beyond the words and phrases and talk about how to make your English sound more natural, proper mindset, and success principles.Do you have a question?Please email me at: al AT alsensei DOT com

A new MP3 sermon from Spring Branch Academy is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Progress, Not Perfection Subtitle: Personal Holiness Speaker: Bob Snyder Broadcaster: Spring Branch Academy Event: Sunday School Date: 3/27/2022 Bible: Romans 7:7-25; Romans 8:13-14 Length: 62 min.

Reshma Saujani is a leading activist and the founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms. She has spent more than a decade advocating for women's and girls' economic empowerment, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector, and, most recently, championing policies to support mothers impacted by the pandemic. Saujani is also the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect, and her influential TED talk, “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection,” has more than five million views. She began her career as an attorney and Democratic organizer, and she now lives in New York City with her husband, Nihal; their sons, Shaan and Sai; and their bulldog, Stanley.   I have been a long-time follower and admirer of Reshma's work and her relentless commitment to her mission. I was so delighted when she said yes to this conversation. As you listen to Reshma share how she sees the future of work for women and moms in America, I think you will see yourself reflected over and over again as she offers story after story that Illuminates the impossible expectations put upon moms over the last two years.   Listen in to hear Reshma share: What is the Future of Women and Work – and why is it different than we think What women are looking for in an employer The long term significance of 2.3 million women leaving the workforce in the last year Her Marshall Plan for Moms, what came out of it, why it's critically important in this historical moment What all moms can do to be a part of the PAY UP movement to push through change for moms and women in the workforce across the country Why it's imperative that we “not waste a good crisis” The constant cognitive dissonance for moms around being told we can have it all and not having access to having it Why she is critical of the feminist movement and is still a Feminist   Links mentioned: Connect with Reshma: reshmasaujani.com Get Reshma's Book: PAY UP: The Future of Women and Work Reshma on IG  Reshma on Twitter     Please find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/

For Women's History Month we are featuring some amazing women on the Holistic Wealth podcast. In this exciting episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast our special guest is Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms founder and author of a new book, “Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (And Why It's Different Than You Think.” In this interview Reshma outlines how feminism hasn't attained the protections and support women need, and that we need a new definition of working motherhood in America (around the globe). Reshma took on around $300,000 of student-loan debt to attend Yale Law School, but felt stuck in a private-sector role because it allowed her to make enough money to pay off part of her loans. Her job in finance made her miserable and depressed, but it also made it possible for her to help her family pay their mortgage. Reshma has spent more than a decade advocating for women's and girls' economic empowerment, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector, and, most recently, championing policies to support mothers impacted by the pandemic. Saujani is also the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect, and her influential TED talk, “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection,” has more than five million views. In the interview we also discussed the recent news of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duchess and Duke of Sussex, unveiling a series of donations in a holiday card released in December 2021, included in that list was the Marshall Plan for Moms. Tune in to listen to this amazing episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast with special guest Reshma Saujani. Resources Used In This Episode (Get a Copy of Both Books): Holistic Wealth (Expanded and Updated): 36 Life Lessons To Help You Recover From Disruption, Find Your Life Purpose and Achieve Financial Freedom Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (And Why It's Different Than You Think What You'll Learn in This Episode: • Reshma Saujani's amazing new book, the importance of discourse on themes such as corporate feminism, workplace and gender equity, • Reshma's experience with being the daughter of immigrant parents, her childhood and how it influenced her personal financial identity. • Reshma's perspective on the wealth gap and the way forward, in fighting gender inequality. • Reshma's reaction to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duchess and Duke of Sussex, unveiling a series of donations that included the Marshall Plan for Moms. • Reshma's personal financial identity and how it has shaped her life as an entrepreneur and mom (based on the Personal Financial Identity Quiz developed by Keisha Blair). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/keisha-blair/support

Serving God with a perfect heart. Not PERFECTION, which is impossible, but a heart that is right before the Lord. Listen to pastor Chad talk about the serving vision of Life Change Church.

Serving God with a perfect heart. Not PERFECTION, which is impossible, but a heart that is right before the Lord. Listen to pastor Chad talk about the serving vision of Life Change Church.

“Discipleship is About Progress, Not Perfection” from Disciple by Doug Peters. The post Discipleship is About Progress, Not Perfection appeared first on Grace Crossing Church - The Woodlands, TX.

Dr Jamie Marich is the Founder/Director of "The Institute for Creative Mindfulness”.   She is a  (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing specialist.  And familiar with all things “trauma” and the healing of such.  I could go on and on but just take a listen.  She gives actionable tools to move through life's rough stuff :).Administrative: (See episode transcript below)Check out the Tools For A Good Life Summit here: Virtually and FOR FREE https://bit.ly/ToolsForAGoodLifeSummitStart podcasting!  These are the best mobile mic's for IOS and Android phones.  You can literally take them anywhere on the fly.Get the Shure MV88 mobile mic for IOS,  https://amzn.to/3z2NrIJGet the Shure MV88+ for  mobile mic for Android  https://amzn.to/3ly8SNjGet A Course In Miracles Here! https://amzn.to/3hoE7sAAccess my “Insiders Guide to Finding Peace” here: https://belove.media/peaceSee more resources at https://belove.media/resourcesEmail me: contact@belove.mediaFor social Media:      https://www.instagram.com/mrmischaz/https://www.facebook.com/MischaZvegintzovSubscribe and share to help spread the love for a better world!As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Transcript: [music]0:00:05.8 Mischa Zvegintzov: Welcome back everybody, to the Tools For a Good Life summit. And right now, I would like to introduce to you, Dr. Jamie Marich. And hello, and I'll read your bio real quick, if that's okay?0:00:20.6 Dr. Jamie Marich: Go for it.0:00:23.1 MZ: Fantastic. So Dr. Jamie Marich travels internationally, speaking on topics related to EMDR, EMDR therapy, trauma, addiction, expressive arts, yoga and mindfulness, while maintaining a private practice and online education operations. I lost my place. [chuckle] The Institute for Creative Mindfulness in your home base of Warren, Ohio. You are the developer of the Dancing Mindfulness Approach to Expressive Arts Therapy and the developer of yoga for clinicians. You are the author of numerous books, including the popular EMDR Made Simple, Trauma Made Simple, and Process, Not Perfection. You are the co-author of EMDR Therapy and Mindfulness for Trauma-Focused Care, and Healing Addiction With EMDR Therapy: A Trauma-Focused Guide, out later this year from Springer publishing company. North Atlantic Books published a revised and expanded edition of Trauma and The 12 Steps, in the summer of 2020, and they are also publishing The Healing Power of Jujitsu: A Guide to Transforming Trauma and Facilitating Recovery, and Dissociation Made Simple, both due out in 2022. Jamie is a woman living unapologetically, with a dissociative, it's a tricky word, a dissociative disorder, and this forms the basis of your award-winning passion for advocacy in the mental health field. Welcome. So, I thought this would be fun. You're a PhD, yes?0:02:19.3 DM: Yes.0:02:21.0 MZ: So, how many hours do you have into that? Tell me, how many hours?0:02:28.1 DM: That went into school? Well, I was in school all total from my bachelor's through my master's, for nine years. I finished my PhD in about three, three and a half years, so I don't know how many hours, I've spent a lot of time in school.0:02:42.4 MZ: A lot of time in school. And then we've also got LPCC-S.0:02:47.5 DM: Oh, those are just licenses that you see after my name. So LPCC-S is Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. So those are my state licenses, and this is the whole big letter soup of the helping professionals, that in different states there are different licenses, and that's what that means.0:03:04.1 MZ: Yeah, cool. And then the LICDC-CS, that's another...0:03:08.8 DM: That's Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. So, one is mental health, one is chemical dependency. I don't know why they're two separate licenses, but they are.0:03:18.6 MZ: You know what? Lucky. You're lucky. And then we've got REAT.0:03:26.0 DM: So that is Registered Expressive Arts Therapist.0:03:28.4 MZ: Oh, okay, very cool. RYT 500, which I believe is...0:03:32.6 DM: Registered Yoga Teacher.0:03:33.9 MZ: Right, registered. And 500, that's like next level, I think entry level is 200 hours and then 500 hour's a whole another ballgame.0:03:43.1 DM: Yeah, yeah. But I really feel any yoga teacher trainings about what you learn about yourself in the process. So it's nice to have the credential, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.0:03:54.4 MZ: Absolutely. Did you jump into yoga teacher training more as a personal experience, and then you thought... Yeah, I think that happens a lot, doesn't it?0:04:03.6 DM: Well, what's interesting is I had used it clinically, over the years, but having not taken a full teacher training, 'cause I've had a yoga practice most of my clinical life, it's been an essential part of my own self-nourishment and care. And so, I started taking just some trauma-informed yoga workshops and doing some reading and then implementing it into clinical life, and I actually didn't do the teacher training until not that long ago, just a few years ago, because I knew I wanted to take my personal study to the next level. And that was my main motivation, and I always feel that the best yoga teachers are people who simply share from their practice. And so yeah, I do some yoga teaching, but a lot of it is what I integrate into my clinical work and education courses that I offer for other therapists.0:04:54.8 MZ: Yeah, I love it. And then my understanding as well is, once you get into the 500 hours of the yoga teacher training, you start heavily going into perhaps some eastern philosophy style stuff, perhaps Hindu teachings, all that fun stuff. Yeah?0:05:15.6 DM: Yeah, and it depends on the program you do, and it depends on the lineage, but I was very fortunate to do a really strong lineage-based training, and I learned a lot with The Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras and philosophy, and that's just so rich, and to me, more important than any pose you're gonna learn.0:05:33.0 MZ: Absolutely, and I think that the Asana or the movement side of yoga is such a small piece of the bigger philosophy, and not to make this all about that, but it's fun to talk about. And then we've also got last one, RMT.0:05:50.0 DM: Oh, Reiki Master Teacher.0:05:53.5 MZ: Oh, Reiki Master Teacher? Awesome, and that's energy, right? Energy work.0:05:57.0 DM: I love the energy.0:05:58.4 MZ: Yeah, fantastic. And so, I just thought it'd be fun to read all that, because I think sometimes it gets lost, the expertise that somebody such as yourself has, in what we're gonna talk about. You have a lifetime of involvement in not only helping people, but literally learning. Yeah?0:06:22.9 DM: Yeah.0:06:23.5 MZ: Yeah, that's... Oh, go ahead. 0:06:25.3 DM: Yeah, on one hand, it is, as you present it that way, yeah, I do. And on the other hand, it's, "How could I not pursue the path of learning?" 'cause I've needed it for my own healing and tool for a better life, right?0:06:41.8 MZ: Yeah, absolutely.0:06:42.4 DM: That's why we're here.0:06:44.1 MZ: Yeah. And then you have The Trauma and The 12 Steps. Do you have history in recovery, sobriety yourself?0:06:53.7 DM: I do. Yeah, I've been clean and sober almost 19 years, and that was really what was the impetus for my healing journey. And I initially came in through a very 12-step path. I still have a lot of respect for the 12 steps, but I've needed to bring in a lot of other healing modalities too, which is how EMDR came into my life, which is, I think, the main thing we're gonna be talking about today.0:07:16.9 MZ: Yeah, absolutely. And then I wanted to just quick... Two things. One, I think trauma. So when we say Trauma and The 12 Steps, we perhaps are gonna throw the word trauma around. As a white male, six foot two, I'm speaking for me, pull myself up by my bootstraps. Somebody tells me trauma, I tend to, not so much anymore, but get a little bit of contemptuous, like, "I've never been through any trauma." But I think it's a lot broader spectrum than we would care to admit, perhaps someone like me. So go ahead, I'll let you speak to that for a sec.0:07:58.7 DM: So here is my working definition. Trauma is any unhealed human wound. The English word, trauma, is a direct translation from the Greek word that means wound. It is a simple direct translation, trauma is a wound, so it's any unhealed human wound. And just like with physical wounds, that can come in all shapes and sizes. If the wound is not given a chance to heal, it can cause complications. And so, we could think of physical wounding as this process of, "Oh, somebody has it bad." But if they're given a chance to heal it and they get treatment, it may go on not being such a big issue in their life, but it could be something that on the surface, seems just like a scrape or a rash, but if the person is immuno-compromised or they're not getting the nutrition they need, if they're not getting the care they need, if they keep picking at it, it's going to continue to be an issue. So we can look at a lot of these parallels with physical wounding, and what we know about physical wounding and translate it to the mental, emotional, spiritual. That wounds are wounds, and yes, some are big, some are small, but individuals can experience them subjectively, and if wounds are not given a chance to heal, if they're not given the treatment or care that they need, regardless of how big or small they are, they could go on to create problems.0:09:20.7 DM: So yeah, I think you're bringing up a good point, that a lot of cultural association with trauma is still things that are at the level of what we might call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or having gone to war, or having survived a natural disaster. And even in diagnostic codes, we've expanded our definition of that a little bit, that there's a lot of different ways people can go through life or injury-threatening experiences, and even witnessing someone else go through it, eventually qualify you for PTSD. But there's a lot of these kind of human wounds we're talking about, of all kinds, that won't necessarily give you a diagnosis, but that doesn't mean they are any less of an issue.0:10:02.3 MZ: Absolutely, and I love that or don't love it, whichever way you wanna look at it. But it could be going through parental divorce as a child, or perhaps the way we were brought up, which was acceptable 50 years ago, now might be like, "Yeah, that actually might have encouraged some trauma in your life, for example. Yeah? Yeah. Perfect. Alright, so we are here to talk about EMDR. Thank you for indulging me with...0:10:31.8 DM: It's a great set up question, to be talking about EMDR.0:10:35.0 MZ: Yeah, perfect. So I'm gonna give you a scenario, and then I'm gonna ask you a question. Okay?0:10:41.6 DM: Perfect.0:10:42.2 MZ: Fantastic, so if we think of life as a three-legged stool of relationships, finance and health, and then we think of someone who is or was successful and has two of those legs fall out from under them, and I'm basically just talking about me 10 years ago, honestly. But anyway, this could be a combination of divorce. So I went through a divorce 10 years ago, it was heavy, a couple of kids, career upheaval. So my career was on track, all I'd really known for a good 15 years was success, and then all of a sudden that blew up. One of my children was not acting like I wanted, and then I went through another failed relationship, and it was pretty heavy. And I was lucky, at the time, I didn't have any physical health challenges, but for some people, it can be physical health challenges. That coupled with some divorce or something, that can be very heavy, or for me, both my parents died really quick at that time too, so I was shellacked, I've been in recovery for a long time as well.0:11:55.0 MZ: But up until that point, it was like, "Pick yourself up from your bootstraps, Mischa. You can fix it, you can work your way through it, you can success yourself through it." And then at that point, I don't know if chaos is the right word, but it was so heavy for me, that it was like, "Man, I need new tools, I need new tools, I need to be open-minded because push-ups are not gonna do it," [chuckle] whatever. So my question to you, thinking of EMDR, what are the exact next steps you would offer this person, or me, so I knew I would be headed in the new right direction, that I'll have positive momentum towards getting my life back on track?0:12:43.4 DM: Well, 'cause I feel, to properly answer that question, I need to explain a little bit of what EMDR is, because a lot of people may not have a frame of reference. So EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. So it's a mouthful, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. And it's been around now, for over 30 years. A psychologist had formally tapped into the process of it, when she was in recovery from her own journey with cancer and she was very interested in mind-body medicine. And when she was taking a walk in a park one day, she noticed that her eyes began to move rapidly as she was engaging with some disturbing thoughts. And so, she sat down and she tested out the eye movement process deliberately, of moving the eyes back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, to see if it would have any impact on her mental wellness. And yeah, she noticed that some of the disturbing thoughts she brought up later that night, were just not as valid, they were just not as charged. And then she got a group of her other psychologist friends together and said, "Well, let's see what happens when we do this deliberately. And is there some kind of impact on these rapid successive eye movements on how kind of the brain processes trauma?"0:14:00.1 DM: And so, that's the crux of how EMDR was founded, and then it is now one of the most research therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder specifically. But a lot of other related conditions that have trauma at its base can be helped by such a method. And the method has been developed because you don't, for instance, have to use just eye movements anymore. We can put audio headsets on people, we can do kind of successive tapping back and forth, whether the person is tapping themself. And so, it really is more about the back and forth, bilateral engagement of the brain that can create these shifts in how memory is stored. So to get to your question, if a person was coming in, let's say clinically, we would look at, "Well, what are the stock areas in your life?" and it could be like with that three-legged stool, they're stuck areas in all three of those areas, and part of what the EMDR method and approach really looks at is, "What are... There's an understanding that trauma is more than just PTSD, kind of coming to your core question, and that trauma is really any unhealed human wound that can get in the way of us living a more adaptive or fulfilling life.0:15:22.2 DM: And so, if there is, let's say, a stuck point in one of those life areas that you mentioned, something that we might do is, have you identify, "Well, what's a core negative belief that you might be carrying?" So it could be something like, "I'm a failure, I'm not good enough, I'm ugly." There's any variety of ways they can be worded.0:15:46.9 MZ: Can I ask you a question? Could it be along the lines of too, let's say it's relationships, where you could get stuck in this loop of, "I should have done this, I should have done that, if this would have happened?".0:15:54.0 DM: Oh, yeah. Definite negative cognition. Yeah, yeah. And so, what we do is this process of tracing it back or floating it back to say, "Well, what's the origin story of you carrying that negative belief? I should have done something, yeah, I should have done something," and you may think it's about your relationship, like your current romantic relationship, but when you get to the origin story of it, it could be about something that happened as a child, when you felt or believed you should have done something, but you were only a child, yet you've kind of carried the burden of it. And so, what a trained EMDR therapist will do is, kind of help you set up that scene of the origin story, and really invite you to feel and to sense into where it's at in the body and what you're feeling emotionally, what that cognitive statement is, what maybe some of the energetic sensations are. And then at that point, the back and forth eye movements are applied or the back and forth tapping, and it becomes very much a meditation process at that point, where it's not just like, "Okay, presto chango, it's done," but you're invited to really sit with the feeling, sit with the experience.0:17:08.7 DM: And I like to say this about EMDR, you don't have to tell a lot of detail about what happened, it's not about you re-living it, but it is inviting you to feel what it is you maybe didn't allow yourself to feel at the time. And so, while you're inviting your client into going... We say that all the time, in EMDR, "Go with that, go with those feelings." Then we apply the bilateral and notice how shifts can happen. And for some people who come in with maybe a little bit of a simpler issue or it's more kind of singular incident trauma, it often doesn't take very long, maybe just a few sessions, but many of our clients who we work with, do have complex issues, like your three-legged stool, there's issues in all three areas. So you may need any number of sessions to address each of the three legs and how they interplay with each other.0:18:05.3 MZ: Yeah, and let me ask you a question too. I get the impression and really, what I'm hoping to bring together with the summit and everybody speaking, and people such as yourself, is that just the action of going in, like session one can provide enough relief that it's like, "Yeah, I'm headed in the right direction." I don't need 100% transformation when I walk through the door, like I just want 1% change, so I feel like there's hope. Like there's something... Yeah.0:18:40.7 DM: And that's something I try to impart to anybody I work with, is to give them one actionable thing they can do between session one and session two, and sometimes laying the relational foundation is an important part of those first couple of sessions, you're working with someone. So that, like you mentioned, there can be an imparting that, "Wow, there is hope."0:19:03.4 MZ: Yeah, and so tell me about some of the actionable things, like Where you could say, "Hey, here's... Anybody listening, you could go, "Here's some actionable things to show you... Yeah, go ahead.0:19:18.3 DM: What I might do is show somebody, like in a first session, this whole idea of shaking it off, inviting you to notice where you're most likely to feel stress in the body, "And can you imagine that stress kind of, let's say it's in your stomach, "Can you imagine it kind of moving from your stomach out through your hands and shaking the stress off, and sending it down to the ground and then may be stomping at it?" So that's one. I like to do another little skill called tension release, which is a short express version of progressive muscle relaxation, where you really super exaggerate the tension, so that in very slow motion you can notice the release. Another good kind of instance strategy is palming the face. This is used a lot in yoga nidra and meditation, and it's also working with this idea of engaging the body, and then maybe you bring those hands to your forehead, to your face, to your temples, just some area where you're, "Ooh," and then you go into it. And then you could always work with people on basic breathing, working with grounding objects.0:20:32.1 DM: There's another meditation we'll do, like a five senses scan of your space, where you start looking around and noticing what you see, noticing what you feel, sensation-wise. And that's why I often hold on to a stone, it just gives me this little sense of, "Yes, I'm here, I'm now, I'm present," and it could be, "Is there something pleasant to smell?" And another little grounding exercise I'll do with folks, and I do this with yoga students, I do this with EMDR students, and it's this practice of looking down at your feet. And anybody listening, look down at your feet wherever they're at right now, and really deliberately press them into the ground, so you feel a little sensation and then let them go a little bit, take a breath, and then press them into the ground again. And maybe you even move them back and forth kind of in this bilateral rotating way, just very slowly, very gently, almost as if you're taking a walk, right in place. And so, as you do that, I'd like you to look at your feet and think about this, that your feet will not lie to you. Your mind may pull you far into the past, may project you into the present, and that's normal when you have unhealed trauma and it can make you feel overwhelmed and not sure where you're at, but if you're ever unclear on where you're at, look down at your feet. Your feet will always tell you that you're here and now and present and connected.0:22:13.3 DM: And you can do that just as a simple meditation, maybe even kind of pumping the feet back and forth, and I tell my people all the time, "I don't expect a little exercise like that to fix all your ails, 'cause no instant thing can. But is this kind of a meditation or an exercise that you might be willing to practice doing every day, so that you can work on this idea of presence."0:22:38.5 MZ: Yeah, and oftentimes, coming back to the moment with those simple tricks, can be enough to get me over the hump of the moment, shall we say, or as those emotions ebb and flow or... I know, when all that was going on in my life, a lot of times, it was trying to survive the moment until the tide went back out, [chuckle] and then the tide would come back in, and I don't know if that makes any sense or not?0:23:16.9 DM: Yeah, it makes a lot of sense.0:23:18.9 MZ: Yeah, yeah. Perfect, fantastic. That's awesome, thank you. And then I'm curious, I think you've been involved in, obviously, your training and schooling and active, and you're prolific in your teaching, I would say. Yes, with your writing and speaking and all these sorts of things. Yes?0:23:40.6 DM: I've been so accused. So, yes. I am, I know. [laughter]0:23:46.8 MZ: You've seen it help a lot of people. I guess that's my question, and I'm curious about that. The sense of how powerful, the right word is, or healing, again, I'm thinking of the guy like me, I'm not 40 anymore, but in my 40s, coming out of a successful period of my life, where... How do you explain to someone in my terms, so I can be like, "Oh yeah, this is powerful, this is good, this is something I should potentially tap into, if I'm struggling."?0:24:25.9 DM: Well, I personally feel it's always a good idea to heal your wounds. And whether you're doing that with EMDR or any other healing practices that are being discussed here, it's important to not keep putting a band-aid on them, which is what we often do in a variety of ways. For some of us, it is drugs and alcohol and acting out. For some of us, it can be kind of getting so physically engaged in yoga, that we don't really there with letting ourselves feel.0:25:03.0 MZ: It almost becomes a distraction.0:25:05.0 DM: Yeah, yeah. So if ever I have a client that's like, "Why should I try this EMDR, why should I do any of these healing practices you're talking about?" I really try to look at it as, "Well, usually, people who end up in my office, are there because something's not right, something just doesn't feel right in their life, and I use this language a lot of, "Would you consider that because there's something that isn't healed, this is why you're stuck where you're at in your life." So, "Yeah, there may be risks in going there, but are there also risks in not going there?"0:25:43.3 MZ: I love that. That's such a powerful thought. It's almost like risk reward, like you have literally nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking a stab at it, versus continue suffering. [chuckle] I don't mean to laugh about it, but yeah, perfect. I think that this is a great place to end, Jamie. I love the description of it, and the grounding techniques that you gave, and everyone watching, if this interview with Jamie was fantastic and you want to get even more content from Jamie, upgrade to the all access pass, for the bonus interview, 'cause we're gonna do a bonus interview here next, and I know that there's gonna be even more amazing content like the little trick, that feet thing, I was thinking about, which was awesome in the moment, but What was the Bruce Willis movie? Die Hard. Did you see Die Hard?0:26:52.3 DM: Years ago.[chuckle]0:26:53.3 MZ: Yeah. Remember that he took his shoes off and rubbed his feet in the carpet. Anyway.0:27:02.9 DM: Glad it linked up.0:27:03.8 MZ: Yes, sorry, yes. Yeah. So upgrade to the all access pass, for the bonus interview. And are there any final thoughts to share, that we did not get a chance to cover?0:27:15.8 DM: I just want to encourage your listeners, you can also visit me, traumamadesimple.com, traumamadesimple.com. That's where you can access a lot of just things I have out there. Yep.0:27:27.8 MZ: Alright, alright, fantastic. Yeah, thank you for that. And then, they can find you on your business pages, instituteforcreativemindfulness.com?0:27:38.9 DM: That's right, yep.0:27:40.6 MZ: Awesome. And then your general page is jamiemarich.com. J-A-M-I-E M-A-R-I-C-H.com. Correct?0:27:52.7 DM: Yeah.0:27:53.7 MZ: Fantastic. Again, everybody, click the button to this on this page, it's either gonna be down there or over there or over there, I'm not sure where yet, to get unlimited access to all of these interviews in the all-access pass. And I'm gonna hit stop, and let's hang on for round two.[music]

What is your belief about time? It is the 4th dimension Time is an illusion Time doesn't exist? “Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.”” – bell hooks Is science the only philosophy that can process the fact that sometimes it gives the wrong answer? Is science above morals? Is something that's claimed scientifically proven that is morally wrong acceptable? Let's make school more accessible. Often our first brush with ableism happens in the school system, where standardized tests and a one-size-fits-all approach leave students with hidden and visible disabilities left behind. We Need to Talk About Ableism in Academia https://themighty.com/2021/09/ableism-college-applications/ My mother in law invited herself on a trip that was meant just for me and my husband. We barely get any alone time together. My husband won't tell her that she can't come. Would it be rude if I did? Why do Google's workers spend only 3.5 years working there on average? Are the firing rates high or the external proposals, after the experience in the company, more appealing? Would that be associated with ageism? How can I avoid the “freshman fifteen”? My almost 16-year-old daughter wants a smartphone. How do I get her to stop bugging me about it? She has a flip phone and that's enough. Is there anything I can do to instantly remove panic attacks and anxiety? The Power of Aiming for Progress, Not Perfection, in Life With Chronic Illness https://themighty.com/2021/09/progress-not-perfection-chronic-illness-disability Does it bother Uber drivers if their passenger wants to stop at a store and tells them they will tip them extra if they make the stop? How to Navigate a Relationship When You Both Have Depression https://themighty.com/2021/10/relationship-both-have-depression-support Check Out Our Newsletter!! https://pages.rasa.io/articles/fea06ce8-ba4c-896f-c7cb-d426ba2c1a08 Join Our Community https://latenightlove.locals.com/ https://anchor.fm/latenightlove/ Contact us Love at latenightlove.us www.LateNightLove.us Follow us https://rumble.com/c/c-1027464 www.facebook.com/TheLateNightLove https://mewe.com/group/5f751353cf0eb37a36aaea8c https://www.minds.com/groups/profile/1174482505626320896/feed https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFW9kQk-Gb7pMyYWI6weYqg --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/latenightlove/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latenightlove/support

Continuing Come with Me Through Belgium and Holland by Frank Schoonmaker (an America author). This book was published in 1928 by William M. McBride & Company. It's an 8 by 5 inch navy blue linen hardcover with gold embossed lettering. There are black and white photo illustrations with tissue paper sheet protectors. —adorable. —plus a map that folds out in the back.Today, Book 2 is on Holland, as Schoonmaker calls it in 1928. He is of course referring to all the Netherlands. As he did with the Belgium part, Frank starts with the practical side of traveling to the Netherlands, getting around, the cost of things and descriptions of some of the sites you may want to consider seeing. Starting with the passage, "How to Find out What you Need to Know" we stroll through some of the highlights of traveling in the Netherlands.  Do you want to see wooden shoes or windmills, you may like Volendam or Marken. Are you interested in art museums or the famous flower markets in Alkmaar?  Frank will tell us what he thinks about spending time searching out "costumes". Thanks for listening! Enjoy this episode, dedicated to "Progress, Not Perfection".  Goede Reis!Ceridwen

The best thing you could ever do for yourself is to be comfortable with your journey. There's something about settling in and focusing on where you are headed. But when the need to be "perfect" clouds your vision, it can cause chaos and confusion.Today, I'm going to offer you an amazing analogy to help you adhere to your journey and not give up.For additional show notes and your FREE Progress, Not Perfection, 3-Month Vision Worksheet click on, https://bit.ly/healthychitchat

Summer is coming, the kids will be home, schedules will be changed. Let's talk about what this means for us as moms because we all know the Summer Shift is a REAL thing. But it doesn't have to feel hard. Let's talk mental shifts, REALISTIC goal setting, expectations "changed" not "lowered". This 20 minute episode is meant to make you feel you are NOT ALONE in wondering how you will juggle it all. My dear friend, Lindsey House (Families That Stick Togather™ Episode 2 and host of the Podcast "Direction, Not Perfection") joins us for a quick chat about keeping summer fun and important for building our family and our children all while still feeling encouraged that we can make all the "things" happen. Come along, friend. Let's grow! Connect with Lindsey on Instagram @houselifestyles and online at healthaccountabilitycoach.com Click HERE to listen to Lindsey on Episode 2 of Families That Stick Togather™ Podcast  Connect with and Follow Jennifer @togathermoments and @familiesthatsticktogather on Instagram and Facebook Show notes at togathermoments.com/podcast Print your FREE interactive guide (shared in this episode!) "Your Busy Family Schedule: 5 Steps to Less Guilt and More Meaning" here at togathermoments.com Shop all Togather™ products to build up your family Armor at togathermoments.com Shop Togather™ for Date Night and Togather™ for Family Dinner at togathermoments.com Free resources including your FREE PRINTABLE TOGATHER™ FOR ROAD TRIPS GAME at togathermoments.com/free and when you sign up for our newsletter.    

Welcome to Episode 46 of the Autism Parenting Secrets.  In this episode, Len explores the concept of time.  Part of the autism overwhelm is the feeling that you don’t have enough time for all the things you need to do. The challenges, demands and pressures are real.  And at times they can feel all-consuming. But the truth is that if you get clear on what’s important, you actually do have the time.   Taking small steps and then committing to consistency is the key. Tune in now to learn how!The secret this week: You DO Have The Time You'll discover:* There Always Discretionary Time (6:38)* “No Time” Can Become An Excuse (7:34)* Why It Starts With 2-3 Daily Habits (9:36)* Consistency Is the Key, Not Perfection (10:49)* What Will Definitely Lead To Burnout (12:56)* Selfish Helps Your Child (15:09)* Predictability = Safety (16:21)* 70 Days Makes a Habit (17:10) Additional Resources* Free Resource: 33 Mistakes Most Autism Parents Make and How To Avoid Them* To learn more about Cass & Len’s All-In Warrior Parent Tribe, click here* Got a Picky Eater? - this can help* To learn more about Cass & Len, visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.com* Be sure to follow Cass & Len on Instagram If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends. Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic episode updates for our "Autism Parenting Secrets!" And, finally, please take a minute to leave us an honest review and rating on iTunes. They really help us out when it comes to the ranking of the show and we read every single one of the reviews we get.  Thanks for listening!

Forget the "Wolf of Wall Street" and meet the REAL Wolf, Willis Wolf, that is. Chris talks shop with a fellow small-business builder, the GROWTH GURU. With over 40 years as a business owner, Willis has made waves as a small-business owner of several successful companies. We're still shocked that Chris was able to convince Willis to share some of his most valuable success secrets with you for free! CHASING PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.

The month of March is Women's HERstory month. Maybe you aren't aware, or if you're like me, are still trying to figure out just how to celebrate. Listen in for simple, quick ways to celebrate! Mentioned in this episode: “Coping with Creativity”: http://copingwithcreativityco.com “Noelle & Co.”: https://www.facebook.com/Noelle-Co-102807731586160/ TED Talks: “Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection by Reagan Saujani - https://youtu.be/fC9da6eqaqg. “Why You Need to Be a Bitch” by Tabatha Coffey - https://youtu.be/OUmFdTHTD8M --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/done.apologizing/support

Are you a perfectionist? Do you constantly focus on tweaking your projects, your emails, presentations, your school work, or your life? Does perfectionism get in the way of you making any progress at all in your home or work life? If so, take a listen to today's show.In this episode of Positivity on Fire, host Jason Ramsden shares how perfectionism has taken a hold of his life, how the phrase “progress, not perfection” has surfaced in his life over the the last few weeks, and  he shares some strategies for moving forward with being more focused in your work and letting perfectionism go.RATE & REVIEW THE SHOWReview us on Love the Podcast or Apple Podcasts -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we appreciate your support greatly.ENGAGE WITH THE SHOWSubscribe, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedInCONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or TwitterRESOURCESArticle LinksWhy Perfectionism will Crush Your Productivity -- And How to Stop It by Marie Forleo (marieforleo.com)Focus on Progress, Not Perfection by Amy M. Charland (mayoclinic.org)My Perfectionism by Connie Yanez Wellness | Holistic Life Coach App LinksCalm App; Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety. (Apple, Android)Amazon Links**EP11: Give and Take by Adam GrantEP04: The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel RobbinsEP02: Find Your Why by Simon Sinek (audio version)**As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, we are kicking off season 6 with a little mindset refresh. This is the perfect time to reframe our teaching practice and get grounded on what the rest of 2020 and 2021 are going to look, feel, and mostly think like for us.Here are some of the things I'm sharing on this week's episode:My journey with virtual youth chorus (it's not all sunshine and rainbows...)Why I reject the idea of “Covid Babies” or “Covid Teachers"How to find joy in the marginsWant to grab a copy of the book I mentioned in today's episode? Click here for Emily Ley's “Grace, Not Perfection.” (affiliate link) Today's episode of The Anacrusic Podcast is sponsored by my FREE guide, The Planning Playbook. Snag your copy here: anacrusic.com/planningplaybookFor today's full episode notes, click here. To chat with other music teachers and share Ideas and strategies for all things #musicteacherlife, join the Anacrusic Insiders Community here: anacrusic.com/community 

Progress Towards the Future, Not Perfection for the Present

Learn my takeaways from Video Marketing World 2020! 00:00 Overview of Video Marketing World 02:35 - Scott Simson – Hero's Journey Post 0 4:50 Mark Cuban – Biggest Mistake people make – copying others 08:30 Lutia Petrucci – Connection. Not Perfection. 13:44 Ethan Beute – Video emails – Bombbomb 16:30 Tim Schmoyer - Fastest way to grow your channel - Collaboration 21:40 Richie Norton - Your Business Model is a Reflection of Your Life 25:40 James Dayton - First 3-10 Seconds of Your Video is Most Important 30:50 Qu Harrison Terry – Be Consistent

MOM GUILT. Experiencing it? Of course you have, we ALL have! Ready to let it go? Mom guilt is mostly self imposed and has no place in your life. Motherhood is hard enough as it is already without us making it harder by making ourselves feel guilty! Tune in as we talk about where mom guilt comes from, a few common things that bring it on, and how you can LET IT GO. XOXO, Lauren Listen. Subscribe. Share.  . . . Show Notes: Grace, Not Perfection by Emily Ley Come over and hang with me on Instagram:@lauren_francois Today's show is sponsored by my favorite product line and fitness/nutrition regimen! Taking care of YOU FIRST is a non-negotiable if you want to thrive and energize your new motherhood journey.  You can't pour from an empty cup.  Self care isn't selfish, it's essential!  When you feel your very best, that impacts every other area of your life, especially your mothering.  Ready to make your fitness & nutrition a priority in your life with simple, easy to follow 30 minute at home workouts/programs (that's right, you don't even have to leave your house because we all know how tough that can be with babies), balanced nutrition programs (no diets here), and an online community of amazing women to hold you accountable? Pssst….it's way cheaper than a gym membership & I've been helping women get results that last for the past 5.5 years with this method! Email me at laurenffrancois@gmail.com for details. Wanna do a 1-on-1 coaching session with me? From 30 minute power calls to weekly and monthly packages ranging on topics from motherhood to self care/fitness/nutrition to helping you increase your productivity, set, map out, & accomplish goals, and create new habits to help you thrive and energize your journey, there's an option for you! Click here & complete the form! Become a Mom Hacks Podcast Insider & be the first to receive news on new episodes, products, and exciting announcements!  https://tinyurl.com/themomhackspodcast

Perfection is the biggest business killer out there. In this episode, I'm sharing why you need to do B- work to grow a successful business today. My husband, David, and I are currently enjoying coaching our first group of students, and there are some business principles and practices that I want to share with you, my podcast audience because I think they can help you as you build your online business.  I recorded this episode on March 13, 2020. Things have changed drastically since I recorded the last episode. If you're worried or afraid, please know that we are all right there with you.  These are uncertain times and we must stick together, (6 feet apart) in order to make it through.  I want to hear from you on what you're doing to grow your business during this time of uncertainty. Email me at jillian@milotree.com and share how you're handling the new normal of working at home or having your kids home with you full-time.  What Is Emergent Business Growth? Have you ever noticed how businesses start in your city or town? There seem to be 2 main ways to build a business that I've noticed.  First is the “top-down” approach.  This starts with a piece of land being completely leveled and prepared for a building to be built from the ground up. There is a plan for everything that will take place, from the building itself to the businesses that will inhabit it. Inventory is planned, employees are hired, everything is thought through and the plan is put into place, a step at a time, and in the perfect order that was decided beforehand.  And then there is the “emergent” approach.  Here in Austin where we live, it's not uncommon to go through a part of the city that's a bit run down, and one day, see that a new coffee shop is opening in one of the older buildings. A few months later, a record store might open a few doors down, followed by a sushi restaurant.  This is what I refer to as “emergent business growth.”  It's taking things one step at a time, but in an organic way that allows you to take your next steps based on what's already working.  I think emergent growth is the perfect way to grow your online business. It may look messy from the outside, but sometimes the best things happen in the midst of a mess.  A Look at Our Business Growth I wanted to briefly take a look at the businesses that David and I have created as an example of emergent business growth because what we've done is exactly what I'm talking about.  *I go into a lot of detail in the episode about these businesses, so tune in for more details than I'm able to share in this post! Our first business was Catch My Party, which is a social sharing photo site around parties.  We were looking for ways to grow our traffic to that site, and our MiloTree pop-up was born, which we then began to offer to other bloggers. But since a plug-in isn't a very personal business, I started this podcast in order to connect with other bloggers and those who use our product.  Then, my listeners started emailing me about the struggles they faced setting up their blogs, so we developed our BlogStart service, where we will set up your WordPress blog for you. But we wanted to do more, so we decided to work with small groups of bloggers and pour all of our knowledge and expertise into them through our group coaching program.  Our businesses may not seem to go together at first, but they are each just the next step of the organic business growth we were experiencing at the time.  Yes, You Still Need a Plan to Grow an Online Business Now, just because I'm talking about things emerging organically, as you see what naturally comes next for your business, does not mean that you don't need to set goals or have a plan.  I have a list of things that need to happen and goals we want to reach, but each day is different and I don't always know when I sit down at my desk what I'm going to work on. I hold my list lightly and work on what's most important at the time.  When you're building an online business, your results come through testing. You are running everything through the lens of what your audience wants and what they respond to.  So while you do have a plan, you have to remain flexible and be willing to pivot as your audience responds to what you offer.  Strive for B- Work, Not Perfection! One of the first things I teach my students is the absolute necessity to be satisfied with B- work.  If you are constantly testing and pivoting with your audience, you simply can't do everything perfectly. If you are always shooting for an A+, you won't build your business, you'll get stuck. I want you to post things that scare you in their imperfection.  Your job as an entrepreneur is to learn what works and do more of it. As long as you put your authentic self out there, your people will be attracted to you.  *If the thought of putting out B- work makes you uncomfortable, listen in at 12:00 as I discuss the need for discomfort when growing an online business.  The 3 words I want you to remember are: Messy Uncomfortable B- Put Yourself Front and Center Next, if you want to build an online business, you have to put yourself at the forefront of that business. Your audience needs to have a relationship with you. Plenty of people are putting up sites that I call “content farms.”  You know what I'm talking about: tons of content filled with affiliate links, only there for the money-making opportunities. There is nothing personal or authentic about those sites.  You have the opportunity to do something different. You can reach an audience in a way that draws them in as you share your expertise on a topic that matters to them.  This doesn't mean your blog should be about you.  No, it should be you, focused on helping other people solve their problems. You be you, providing value to others, and those people will feel a connection to you.  Business Growth Isn't Linear I think one of the biggest misconceptions in online business is that growth is linear.  We hear about sales funnels: how your audience starts at the top by getting to know you through your content, then signing up for your email list. Once they sign up, they develop a relationship with you through your emails, and eventually they “know, like, and trust you.” Soon, they will be willing to make a small purchase from you, followed by even more and possibly larger purchases in the future.  And I'm here to tell you that it doesn't work like that.  The fact is people are distracted today; they bounce in and out of your funnels all the time. They are being pulled in a thousand different directions every day.  How do you as a business owner address this? Tell Your Audience What to Do That's right, tell them what you want them to do.  Let me give you an example of this from my personal life. When my daughter was tiny and I felt overwhelmed, I would often ask David for help around the house. But the poor guy didn't know what he should do. I learned that if I asked him to wash the dishes and take out the trash, he was more than happy to do so. But he needed me to tell him specifically what would be helpful.  Your audience is like that. They need you to tell them directly and specifically what you want them to do.  Don't expect them to figure it out. They won't!   Tell them to “Click Here,” “Buy Now”, or “Reply to This Email.”  If you don't tell them what to do, don't be surprised when they do nothing. Every piece of content you create, whether it's a blog post, an email, or a social media post, should have a call to action.  I hope this has been helpful if you are working on building an online business. Be sure to listen to the episode in its entirety as I simply couldn't include everything I talked about in this post! And if you need help, please go to MiloTree and sign up for our next coaching group.  We would love to help you build your blog or online business! Transcript for "Why You Need To Do B- Work To Grow A Successful Business Today" Imagine a world where growing your social media followers and email list was easy… It can be with MiloTree! Try the MiloTree pop-up app on your blog for 30 days risk-free! Let your MiloTree pop-ups help you get to that next level by turning your visitors into email subscribers and social media followers on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube. Sign up today! Install your MiloTree pop-ups on your site in under two minutes. Sign up for MiloTree now and get your first 30 DAYS FREE!

PEOPLE DESIRE SUBSTANCE, NOT PERFECTION

Podcasting five years, it’s been swell! But now we are saying farewell. Let’s talk about why We’re saying goodbye With many more stories to tell. A last parting gift, our ten jewels, Ten easy-to-memorize tools For living intentionally And unconventionally: They’re what we call our House Rules. Pace & Kyeli’s House Rules Resilience, Not Perfection […]

  Our most frequently asked question we get from listeners is how do you practice self-care in your busy lives? And how do you find a balance in nourishing your body and soul to be fit for service to your family without diving into self-absorption? That's exactly what we got to chat with Kate Wicker … Continue reading FoC 068: Choosing Real Self Care, Not Perfection with Kate Wicker →

Why Are You Here? Powerful Question… You probably want to know what I mean! In 1 Kings, we have this incredible account of one of the great heroes of the Old Testament, Elijah. He had an incredible encounter with God in a cave. He ran for his life from Jezebel. You remember that story. And when he got to that cave, he was thoroughly discouraged. He was thoroughly worn out by all that he had been through. The Lord began that encounter with a simple question, “Elijah, why are you here?” Now, he couldn’t have answered as he would answer later: “I think in the end, I was here to have an encounter with the living God.” I would love if everyone that’s sitting here today in the hearing of my voice would be able to answer that question the same way. What if I were to ask you, “Why are you here right now?” I think it’s good for you to reflect on that. You probably would want to know what I mean. You want to ask, “Do you mean why did I get up out of bed this morning and come here? Is that what you’re asking? Or, why do I attend this specific church and not another church? Or maybe even bigger: why do I go to church at all on a Sunday morning? Or maybe you mean something even bigger than that: what is my purpose for living? Why am I on planet Earth at all? What’s my reason for existence? Well, these questions, no matter how I might mean them, all of them are very searching, very probing. These questions are very probing, with a wide variety of answers There are a wide variety of answers that people give to each one. Let’s take the most rudimentary, basic way to understand that question. Why am I here in this building right now? Why did I get out of bed and come here today? That took effort. That took forethought. For some people a little more forethought than others, but it did, it took effort. You chose your clothes. You got your body ready. You could have slept in. You could have relaxed. You could have surfed the web, gone to some sites, or just looked at the sunrise after the storm. You could have done a lot of things: gone for a walk, gone for breakfast, gone to your favorite breakfast spot, had an omelet with swiss cheese and broccoli, or some breakfast meats. You could have gone to one of those coffee shops where you sit with your earbuds in your ears right next to total strangers and don’t look at them. I find that amazing, some of these shops. People like to be together and don’t like to interact. Figure it out. Which is it? Do you want to be together or not? But it’s interesting. You could have gone to Starbucks or a park or some other spot. Some of you may feel you had no choice but to come today. You’re being raised in a Christian home. Maybe you’re a kid or teenager, and you’re in no real position to refuse, however tempted you might be to refuse to come to church. But you’re having your heart-search right now. If you weren’t made to come, would you have come? In a few years, when you go away to college, you’ll have the freedom not to go to church. As a matter of fact, the overwhelming majority of kids raised in evangelical churches decide not to go to church when they get to college. But for now, you have no choice. Except you do get to control your attitude about coming to church. You get to control how you feel about it. You get to choose whether you’re happy to be here this morning. Now, you that are college students, you’re already at that place where you know very well you don’t have to be in church. You’re here because you want to be here. Perhaps, usually, you stay up, as most college students do, quite late in the evenings. Maybe especially on Saturday evenings. I don’t know what your patterns are. That’s how it was for me. So Sunday mornings are a real sacrifice. Some of you have made the biggest sacrifice of anyone here today. But you’re here and you’re here because you want to be. But… go a little deeper. Why are you here? What do you want to hear? What do you want to have happen in your soul? What are you hoping for? What’s your reason for being here? Some of you are parents. You feel an obligation to set an example for your children. You’re on the other side of that equation that I talked about earlier. Maybe you feel, to some degree, you have no choice but to be here. Others of you are members of FBC. You want to set an example for your kids, but you come here out of habit, maybe, or out of friendships, connections with other people. Some of you have been members of this church for decades. You just feel this is your church. You’ve been coming here. What else would you do? This is exactly why you come. And some of you are here because you want to have an encounter with the living God. You want to come to a church that preaches God’s Word. You want to know Jesus, and you want to follow Him. You know your salvation is not done yet. You need help and you need accountability. You need people to pray for you. You need to give and receive spiritual gifts. You need all of those things, and this is the church where you perceive those things happening. Because you’ve been blessed in that way in the past, you expect that you’re going to be blessed that way again today. So you’ve come for those kinds of blessings. Another way to look at it: Why do you go to any church at all? Another way to look at this is: How do you evaluate any church at all? How do you evaluate involvement in church? I think about when I fly and I get to the end of a flight. We’re taxiing up to the gate, and they play some pre-recorded message in which they acknowledge that I have many different choices in air travel, and they’re very grateful (at least the recording is grateful) for me having chosen Delta or American or whatever it is. I’m glad that the recording is grateful. That’s how I hear that. That’s just kind of the way I’m wired. Maybe they’re actually glad that I’ve chosen Delta or American. They say, “We know you have options.” Churches are very aware of that too. And they say, “We know you have other options in church.” We’re not back in the Middle Ages, or back in the state-run church era where it was illegal not to go to church and you had to go to the Anglican Church or to the Catholic Church or whatever. No, we know that you have freedom to not go to church or to go. And if you choose to go, you’ve got an array of choices in terms of denominations. And even within Baptist churches, you’ve got an array of options. So how do you evaluate? How do you know what is a healthy church? How can you evaluate your own involvement? Perhaps I mean the ULTIMATE question: Why do you exist at all? Or perhaps, pastor, you mean the ultimate question: why do I exist? Why? Why do I exist? Why am I here on Earth at all? What is my purpose for living? Why do I do anything, not just on Sunday mornings, but any time at all? Or more Christianly, why did God make me? Why did God create me? What were His reasons for knitting me together in my mother’s womb? Did He have a purpose for my life? So, as we come to the final sermon that I’m going to preach in the Book of Ephesians, the end of our journey in Ephesians, I think it’s a good time for us to evaluate ourselves individually in terms of God’s ultimate purposes in the world, and to zero in a little bit more specifically on our relationship to this local church, or ultimately, to any local church. Setting FBC in context with what Ephesians says is God’s purpose in the world I want to set First Durham, FBC, as a local church in the context of what God says is His purpose in the Book of Ephesians. And I want to give you, toward the end of the sermon, a list of six commitments, or duties, or responsibilities, of church members, by which I would like you to evaluate your involvement in this local church, and then, going forward, in any local church if the Lord should lead you away. Why? You may ask, why are we doing this today? Why now? Well, for a variety of reasons, I think. One is that the elders recently have been reading a book on Christian community. It’s available out in the North Tower Resource Center. One of the things that the book talked about, and I touched on it a moment ago, is the consumer mentality that can come in American churches, the idea of evaluating a church by what you get, like you do with any goods and services. Am I getting what I should get from a church? There’s a consumer mentality, rather than asking, “How can I serve Christ and His people? What are the ways that I can be a blessing to the people of God?” For us, we look at both sides of that equation. We’re very eager to be certain that the church is giving to its members what a church should give. We’re very concerned when we hear stories about people going through adversity, going through trials in their lives, and they feel that no one cares. Specifically, that no one from the church cares. No one called. No one cared. No one came. Those kinds of things. It’s so easy to be busy in life, to be busy with ministry as elders and for people to slip through the cracks. We’re aware that people actually do feel that way. It’s not theoretical. There are some people that have felt that way. We take that very seriously. We want to evaluate our church and be certain that we’re ministering well. But we also want to be certain that people have a healthy view of the local church themselves. We find that the more people are other-centered and servant-hearted, the less they feel that way about any local church. They’re not thinking about it from that perspective. Instead, they’re always asking, “How can I be a blessing? How can I serve?” They tend to be the happiest, most well-adjusted church members there are, even though they may be going through great trials themselves. Secondly, we have known for a long time that our church is kind of a regional church. People drive long distances to get here. We’ve also found that that wears on people after a time. It becomes more and more difficult to make that drive. I don’t think, other than plate tectonics, that the distance is any more than it was five years ago. It just seems longer. I think that speaks to the kind of growing discontent we all have with the same things that go on over and over. It’s like, “I know that church, and it just feels like it’s a long way to drive for church.” So we’ve evaluated that, and a number of faithful, fruitful members of the church have given that as a reason they’ve parted on good terms. They’re not here anymore, and that’s an issue. We’ve thought about hat. Thirdly has to do with the financial situation of our church. I hardly ever preach on finances, but this morning I’m going to. I’m going to talk about finances. Our church is something like $125,000 behind in our regular church budget. I think it’s a good time for us to talk about what the regular church budget is, what it’s purpose is, and to have the church evaluate their own involvement and the value that you all put on this, on coming here and having this be here, and your willingness to make sacrifices and invest in that. It’s a chance for us to give some teaching on that. Compounded with that, I think you’ve probably noticed an aging building, if we could put it this way, an older building. Apparently, the second-floor windows aren’t very good with horizontal rain. I guess we found that out yesterday. I mean, we actually have a couple of windows in our home that apparently aren’t very good on horizontal rain. So we had a kind of water feature inside the North Tower last night. It was coming down, just cascading down the wall. Did you notice the fans and the water stains? So there’s that. I wasn’t going to do this, but I call your attention to the ceiling. Apparently, some people cleaned up some of the specks that fell last night. I thought it might have been better for my sermon if they left them there, or even better, if some fell down right at this moment of the sermon. That would be really cool. Now, I wasn’t going to orchestrate that. That’s so cheap and chintzy, like, pastor, come on! Did you get somebody up there to thump at a key moment and then pieces would fall down? Maybe you’ve never looked at the ceiling of the sanctuary before. Maybe you’ve never noticed it before. But now you have. Our roof leaks. It actually does. I didn’t realize this, but some really godly and wonderful people put children’s swimming pools up there about two months ago to collect rain until we have fixed the roof. They go up and empty them regularly, every three days, or something like that. I’m not thinking that’s a good long-term solution. I’m thinking that’s not the best thing to do. I think fixing the roof is better. But everything breaks down. I’ve talked to pastors and they’re like, “Oh, you’re so lucky to be in a church that’s completely paid for.” They have a huge debt in their church, and that’s a huge burden. Friends, this church is never completely paid for. It just isn’t. I think we had trouble with one of our HVAC units, and so if you were in the educational wing, it felt quite warm over there. These are just things that we’re evaluating. Fourth, the ending of the book of Ephesians gives me a chance to see God’s plan for building the church globally, worldwide, and how every local church fits into it. I’ve really had to think a lot about that. As key leaders like Daniel Renstrom and others have left, I have realized how transitory all of this is. It’s all very transient. It’s constantly changing. And I need to not fight that, but just understand it, to evaluate the church and think about it, and learn more and more the connections, or relationship, between healthy local churches and the universal church, the heavenly church. I’ve done a lot of thinking on that. But this is a good chance for us to evaluate and to see our involvement. To see our involvement in evangelism and missions too. Are we doing what we were put here to do in terms of the external journey? Are we reaching Durham? Are we seeing lots of baptisms? Are we seeing people from the community converted and baptized? How are we doing and how is our commitment to missions, to end-of-the-earth missions, to missionaries, to the people who are going out and trusting in us, like Marty and Chandler? A couple of weeks ago we were sending them out. Are we faithful to that? Finally, at the beginning of the school year/home fellowship year, it’s good for us to evaluate many aspects of vital ministries of our church. We’ve noticed that people have a high level of enthusiasm about new ministries like home fellowships in September, but don’t have the same level of zeal in February, March, and April. So it’s a good chance for us to evaluate various things. That’s what we’re doing today. Aware of the Dangers: Guilt, manipulation, and legalism I’m aware of the dangers of a sermon like this. I’m aware of the danger of guilt and manipulation. I don’t want to do that. And legalism, I don’t want to do either of those. I don’t want to lay a legalistic standard on the church and have you feel burdened by that. Not at all. Part of the problem with preaching is there’s this old proverb in reference to preaching, which is, “to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.” One thing I’ve noticed is that church members, or hearers of sermons, don’t come in pre-labeled. I am comfortable, please disturb me. Or, I am disturbed, please comfort me. You might be a complex mix of both comfortable and disturbed at the same time, and you might need a complex mix. I’m preaching one sermon to all of you. It’s really an amazing thing how this could even be helpful. Yet, week after week, pastors get up and preach one sermon to a mixed assembly of people who are all over the map in terms of where they’re at. When you go to many hospitals, if not most hospitals these days, when they administer medications that are prescribed by the attending physicians, they scan a barcode thing on your wrist to be certain you’re you and to keep a record and be certain you get the right medication. I can’t do that. I can’t scan you and say, “Okay, you need to be disturbed; I’m now going to disturb you.” And right next to you is someone that needs to be comforted, is feeling very ruffled in life and very troubled by things, and needs to just be comforted. That’s a danger in preaching a sermon like this as well. We have come to the final paragraph in Ephesians. One of the dangers, also, is to try to weave in these last few words of Ephesians to the intention of the sermon. I don’t know that I’m going to do that well. What I want to do is explain these last few words. There’s not a lot of theological meat here, but there’s value in it. Then I’ll transition to the things that I want to do in terms of this kind of State of the Church address. I’m going to reach back as Greg beautifully did in his prayer. What a great prayer, brother! It kind of did a lot of my work for me. But I think it’s good to look across the whole book one more time. This is going to be our last Sunday in Ephesians. See how it points toward the themes that I’d like to address. Look with me again at Ephesians 6:21-24. “Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” Ephesians is, in some ways, Paul’s least personal letter. There’s more theological reasoning and general principles than personal messages of address. There’s not a lot of them. They appear far more in other epistles like in Philippians or Corinthians. But here, he gets very personal. We see the personal side of Paul. He begins in this section with a man named Tychicus. We don’t know very much about him. He’s mentioned five times in the New Testament, generally four out of the five times, and in one of Paul’s letters at the end, when he entrusts him with some job to do or some responsibility to go as a messenger. Paul says wonderful things about him. He calls him a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord. In Colossians 4:70, he adds a phrase, “a fellow servant in the Lord.” We don’t know much about him, but he’s a representative of how God uses unsung, non-famous people to do amazing ministries. Most of us are going to be like that. Most of us are not going to be upfront leader people whose names we know. Tychicus represents those kind of more anonymous servants of the Lord, brothers and sisters in Christ who do incredibly helpful and valuable ministries. Paul sends him to the church at Ephesus to give a fuller report about Paul so that they can pray for him. He said, “Pray for me.” “All right, Paul, what do you need? What’s going on in your life?” “Well, Tychicus will fill you in. He’ll tell you what’s going on with me. Also, I know this about him, he’s going to encourage your hearts.” Wouldn’t that be wonderful to be said of you, like Barnabas? He was just the son of encouragement. Wouldn’t you love to be the kind of person that sweetly blesses the people around you every time you interact? “I know that when I send Tychicus to you, your hearts are going to be encouraged by him.” That’s what Paul says. Then he closes with this beautiful benediction: “Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” You get that sense of (I’m just about to talk about this) this universal church that we’re part of. There are brothers and sisters in different localities. We may never know them, but they’re part of the family of God. Paul in his epistles frequently greets the brothers and sisters and reaches out to them. He yearns to give them love with faith from God, so there’s this greeting that goes, “May your love increase more and more. May your faith continue to grow and develop.” That gives us a sense of our ongoing need. We need more, and that, I think, easily folds into where I want to go in this sermon. We need local churches to be avenues of grace to us because we’re not done needing grace. So Paul ends all of his epistles with, “Grace be with you,” or, “Grace to you.” So there’s that sense of “You have received grace already. You need even more grace. May the grace of God now go with you as you exit this epistle.” It’s a beautiful sense of that, like a tunnel of grace, as you walk out into the world. Then he says this, “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with [a love incorruptible,] an undying love.” How beautiful is that! I meditated on that. That’s talking about our love for Jesus, our love for God. Isn’t it wonderful to know that, if you’re a genuine Christian, your love for Jesus will never die? It cannot be corrupted. You’re going to make it through. You’re going to reach the end of your Christian life still loving Jesus. It’s going to survive your own death and it’s going to go on into eternity. It’s an undying love. You know, at the end of Romans 8, he talks about how nothing in heaven or earth or anything can separate us from the love of God that’s in Christ Jesus our Lord. That’s God’s love for us and Jesus. Well, this verse tells me that nothing will separate me from my love for Jesus, either. That’s a love relationship that started and it’s going to last forever. That’s how he ends the book. Christ’s Purpose: the Glory of God in the Perfection of the Church Why are we Here? For the Glory of God, specifically in the final perfection of the church That brings me to my purpose in this sermon: to look at the big picture of the Book of Ephesians and then weave it into our local church. So what is Christ’s purpose? What is God’s purpose for all of this? I can say it’s simply this: it is the glory of God in the perfection of the church of Jesus Christ. That’s what He’s about. That’s what’s going on. That’s what every individual person should be about. That’s what every local church should be about. The glory of God in the final perfection of the church of Jesus Christ. That’s what we’re here for. Look back at the beginning of the epistle. We’re going to go through this one more time. He begins with praise and worship, and that’s where we’re going to end up. We’re going to be in heaven praising and worshipping God. He starts there. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Eph 1:3-4) We can’t think about that enough. In eternity past, He chose us for eternity future, to be holy and blameless in heaven. He elected us and He chose us. “In love, [we’re told] he predestined us [He set our horizons for us.] to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” (Eph 1:5) He was pleased to do it. He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ. All of this was done, we’re told three times in this early section of Ephesians, for the praise of His glory, the praise of His glorious grace. So He’s doing all of this so that He may be praised and glorified and honored, as it says in 1 Corinthians. “Let him who boasts, let him who glories, glory in the Lord so that we might praise him.” That’s what He’s doing. To that end, He took filthy, rebellious sinners like us and cleansed us by the blood of Jesus. “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7. God redeemed us by the blood of Jesus. He saved us by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. If you’ve come here today as an unbeliever, you’re on the outside. This is your only hope: that you might be delivered from the wrath of God that you, and all of us, so richly deserve. God sent His son, Jesus, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life and died an atoning death for sinners like you and me. That’s where Christians come from because we believe in that message. We were redeemed by the blood of Jesus. This is the very thing that we were predestined for. This is the thing that God orchestrated. Ephesians 1:11 says, “In him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to his will.” Not just big things, but the details have been predestined and worked out carefully. It’s not an accident that you came to faith in Christ. It was orchestrated. But it happened through a certain mechanism, a certain way. Verse 13 says, “When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal.” This is how you were saved. This is the gospel. This is what we’re here for. We’re here to believe that gospel and to proclaim it to others. We learned, as we’ve seen already, that we were to be redeemed out of a dungeon, a spiritual dungeon. We can’t see it with our own eyes, but the more you go on, you know there are these invisible chains that are holding people down. In Satan’s dark dungeon people are enslaved and they’re enchained to their lusts and to the ways of this world. They are vessels of wrath. But God, because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, He made us alive. He raised us from the dead, spiritually, through faith in Christ. Beyond that: We are Here to Do Good Works It’s not by our works. It’s simply by grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “By grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it’s a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” You were created first and foremost for that: to be a sinner, saved by grace, forgiven by grace. First and foremost you were created for that. But secondly, Ephesians 2:10 says so much more. You were created also to do good works, which God prepared in advance that you should walk in them. He got all these good works ready. And I tell you, if you’re a healthy Christian, many of those good works are going to be done in the context of a healthy local church, together with brothers and sisters in Christ who know you, and you know them, and you work together. Many of those good works, not all of them, but many of them, are going to be done in the context of a healthy local church. Image #1: A Spiritual Temple that GROWS Paul gives us a vision for that in Ephesians 2:11-22, I think, the end of that chapter. Just go to the end, verses 19-22. He gives us a vision of how Gentiles were rescued out of that darkness and made one with Jewish believers. The barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, was removed and now, in Christ, together we are a part of this invisible spiritual building that is rising, growing. I love the dynamism of that, rising to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. Again and again, I reach 1 Peter 2, the living stones image. We are living stones in this spiritual temple and it’s rising. It’s getting bigger, every day a little bigger, every day a little more glorious. Look at the words, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.” That, dear friends, is the church. Image #2: A Living Body that IS BUILT It’s an architectural image of the church. Then in Ephesians 4, he gives us the biological image of the church: a body with a head, different members of the body, different supporting ligaments, and different body systems. Together, as each part does its work, our spiritual gift ministries, the whole body grows up into Christ-like maturity. So we have these two images of the church. This Growth is of Two Types This growth of the church is of two types: a growth of the church in terms of internal holiness and conformity to Christ, and an external growth of new people, lost people brought to faith in Christ, more and more people coming to faith in Christ. That’s what the church is doing around the world. WHY ARE YOU HERE? FOR GOD’S GLORY in the final perfection of the church of Jesus Christ So why are you here? Well, I hope you’re here to be part of all that, part of the two journeys, the internal journey of holiness and the external journey of evangelism and missions. That is the story of the world. That’s the story of what God is doing. He is building the church of Jesus Christ. He’s getting all the glory, saving sinners like you and me. We have a role to play. We get to use our gifts to build up that body. Local Church Membership: A Means to that End Universal vs Local Church Local church membership is a means to that end. It’s a means to that end. Now, when I say local church, we need to understand. The universal church is the invisible, if I could use the word, mystical, spiritual union of all genuine followers of Jesus Christ around the world and up in heaven. That’s the church universal. That’s a beautiful thing. Once you’ve come to Christ, you are immediately a member of that body. No one can sever you from Christ. That’s permanent. The local church has an address. It’s a place you can go on a Sunday morning to be with other Christians. The church at Ephesus was a local church that Paul was writing to. In Revelation 2 and 3, we’ve got seven churches that were in Asia Minor. Those seven churches, of which Ephesus is one, they’re all local churches. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, those are the seven churches. Others churches, such as Galatia, also Corinthians and Romans, those are all local churches. The local church is the best and clearest way you can regularly interact with the universal church. The local church is also a feeder system for the heavenly church, the heavenly Zion, the heavenly bride of Christ. That’s what it is. FBC is a Local Church and Covenant Membership is God’s Way for Christians to Grow and Help Others to Grow First Baptist Church, Durham, North Carolina, is a local church. Covenant membership, committed membership, in a local church is God’s primary way for individual Christians to grow and help others grow. That’s what God set up. All Local Churches are Temporary Now, as I’ve said, all local churches are temporary. All of them. They’re constantly evolving, constantly changing. People come and people go. People live and then they die. People move to different geographic areas. Different things happen. So there’s constant changes. The question we have to ask is: are we being faithful as local church members to do what God intends for our covenant membership in this local church? That’s what we’re trying to evaluate. Pastors get so uptight about the size of their churches, let me tell you. I have been to pastoral conferences, and there’s a way you can talk about what’s going on in your church. It’s called the humblebrag. It’s distasteful. I’m not saying I don’t have the seeds of that in my heart. I’m just telling you, it’s not helpful to think that way. The question is, are we being faithful? Are we being faithful to the doors of opportunity that God has opened up for us here in Durham and to the ends of the earth? That’s the question we have to ask. Those seven churches in Asia Minor, all seven of them, they were all real local churches that at some point became obsolete. They were later planted centuries later by others. Take Smyrna, for example. It’s in modern-day Izmir. There was a long time when there was no local church in Smyrna, Izmir. But there is now. So that means that the local churches, they come and go. The question is, are we being faithful? In Revelation 3:8, to the church of Philadelphia, the Lord said, “Behold, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” That’s opportunity, right? Are we being faithful to walk through open doors? To the church at Smyrna, in Revelation 2:10, He says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Healthy Membership Responsibilities Listed for Self-Evaluation Health, Not Perfection… There’s Room for Growth All right. So as I read these six things (we’ll go through them quickly), I want to tell you I’m looking for health here, not for perfection. Please, please don’t look for a perfect church. Don’t ever put “perfect church” together in the same sentence, other than to say there is no perfect church. That would be fine. We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for health. That’s a better word. There are many healthy local churches. There are no perfect churches. So the question we’re asking is, is our church healthy? Refuting Legalism, Preaching Grace… while still teaching healthy patterns Also, we don’t want to be legalistic. We want to have a sense of grace flowing in the life of the church. We want you to evaluate how God is using you and how you are serving as a local church member. Not an Exhaustive List, Just Some Key Expectations So this list of six things is not exhaustive, but I think it’s helpful. Six things: healthy church members grow toward Christ-likeness. Secondly, healthy church members pray consistently. Thirdly, healthy church members attend regularly. Fourth, healthy church members give sacrificially. Fifth, healthy church members serve the body with their spiritual gifts. And sixth, healthy church members evangelize the lost. Those are the six things. Let me talk about them quickly. Healthy Church Members Grow Toward Christlikeness First, healthy church members grow toward Christ-likeness. We, the elders, expect each member of the church to be “growing in grace and knowledge of Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18. We expect that you would be making progress in your sanctification, and that you would be having daily quiet times, meeting with the Lord every day. We expect you to be feeding on God’s word, putting sin to death by the power of the Spirit, using your gifts to build, and living a healthy Christian life. Healthy church members feel themselves to be running a race with endurance. And they want to run right to the end. Like Paul, there’s a passion. In Philippians 3:12-14, (I love this) Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” That’s the race we’re running. If you’re a healthy church member, you’re going to be running your race. You’re not going to be plateauing or declining in your spirituality. You’re going to be growing. Healthy Church Members Pray Consistently Secondly, healthy church members pray consistently. This fits into where we’ve been recently in Ephesians 6. Look again at 6:18. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Pray for other church members. Organize your prayer life. Pray for your home fellowship members. Pray for brothers and sisters in Christ that you know well. Get to know people you don’t know well yet by praying through the church phone list. A page a day would be a good rate. You will get through the whole thing in less than a month. If there’s one person you don’t know, go ask somebody. Say, “I prayed for this person yesterday. I don’t know them. Tell me something about them.” Get to know the body, but do it especially by prayer. Take up each other’s burdens in prayer. Be involved in the prayer ministries of the church, especially home fellowship. Don’t skimp home fellowship. Don’t skimp on prayer. Spend a good amount of time praying with and for each other. Also, there are other opportunities to pray. Every Sunday morning, many of you don’t know this, but we have a small prayer meeting at 8:30am on Sunday mornings. If you’re able to come, we’re just right here in the parlor, and we pray for the day. We pray for the preaching. We pray for the Sunday School ministry. We just pray. It’s a short time, but come at 8:30 in the morning if you can make it. That’s an opportunity to pray. And there are other corporate prayer times throughout the year. Healthy Church Members Attend Regularly Thirdly, healthy church members attend regularly. A key verse on this is Hebrews 10:25. “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Now, you may ask, attend what regularly? Church does a lot of things. Well, first and foremost, this meeting of the church at 10:30 Sunday mornings. We’re here every week. Every week. I just heard that Christmas is on Sunday. We’re actually going to have church on December 25th. In the spirit of the puritans, we’re going to have church on Christmas Day. All right? So please come. Every single Sunday. Every single Sunday. First and foremost, there’s that. At the second level, I would say be involved in home fellowships. We know that not everyone can be involved in home fellowships. We understand that. But there is no better structural ministry of the church by which you can know and be known. You can linger after worship with others who also linger after worship. Many don’t, but some do. You can get to know people that way. But home fellowship is the best way to get to know the same people week after week. I also would urge you to consider regularly attending Member Meetings. Member Meetings happen four times a year. They used to be called church conferences, or others called them business meetings. We have them in February, May, August, and November. One’s coming up pretty soon, in a couple of weeks, or a month. Come to that, it’s important. At a lower level, Bile for Life is a good ministry. The word of God is taught here week after week. We’ve seen attendance decline over the last four or five years. The elders are seeking to give different and better classes. I think just being committed to say, “Hey, this is a better way for me to spend the time than if I weren’t there.” It’s a good way to feed on God’s word and to meet with God’s people and to pray for each other. What do we mean by regularly attend? I said, “attend what?” The elders shrank back from a percentage per year, okay? That would just be simple legalism, for us to say, “You need to attend at least 80% of Sunday morning worships.” That’s not where it’s at. Really, what I’d rather you do is look at Hebrews 10:25, and look at two key words. It says, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as some are in the habit of doing” There’s two word: forsake and habit. Those are key words. A willful choice to not go to Sunday morning worship, making a habit of that is a step towards apostasy. It’s a dangerous thing to do. As a matter of fact, the first thing the elders do in shepherding souls is look at attendance in Sunday morning worship. We know that some people are caring for sick family members and can’t come. We know that there are other mitigating circumstances. We’re just interested in what the circumstances are. Healthy Church Members Give Sacrificially Fourth, healthy church members give financially and they give sacrificially. Jesus taught more on money than any other topic of the Christian life. Why? Well, because how you spend your money is a clear indicator of the state of your soul. To repeat, our church is right now about 10% behind in our annual budget, something like that. Maybe $120,000. I haven’t gotten the recent figures but that’s been the recent thing. Now, about this time every year, we’re always behind. We usually have great Decembers. I don’t know if it’s the tax season or what it is. But I don’t think historically our December will be enough to make up this deficit. The church is doing well. We’re very wise in how we spend. We don’t overspend, and we’re not in a bind. But for us, it really is more of a spiritual issue. It’s something we want to use to enable each of you individually to look in the mirror and to ask, “What am I doing with my money?” Software shows the demographics, the age spread demographics of our contributions. Let me tell you, I have never known any single church member’s giving patterns in any single instance, ever, unless they told me, and I couldn’t stop them in time. So I don’t know what any of you that I look in the face now are doing. I don’t. I just know the big picture. According to our software, we have 215 regular givers. I think that’s right. We can also extract out the average gift. You can work on that. I’m not going to give you the number, but you can do that also. We have some significant givers that skew the whole number upward for others. That’s just math. When you have a couple of big-time givers, if you remove them, then the numbers all sink a little bit down. If you take the average gift by those of professional age, those in the prime of their earning careers, age 25 and up, and then you reverse it by the tithing principle (I’m talking about tithing in just a minute, but that’s 1/10th of an income), if you reverse it, then those people earn an average of $26,000 a year, if they tithe. I don’t think that’s even a living wage. So I don’t think that people are tithing. It’s just simple logic. Then you could ask, well, should people tithe? Tithing is an old English word that simply means 1/10th. It’s an Old Covenant principle. Randy Alcorn’s book “Money, Possessions, and Eternity” said tithing is the training wheels of Christian giving. Remember training wheels? I never used training wheels. I went right on a bike. I’ll never forget my first bike ride. I was a seven-year-old kid. I rode down a hill right into a teenager’s car, a hot rod that he was waxing. I ran for my life through the woods. I managed, somehow, to survive. I don’t know how I survived that day, but I got through it. Boy, was he mad. I didn’t know how to brake. I didn’t know how to turn. I just went. That was my first bike ride. You’re saying that explains your recent bike crash pastor. No, I’ve learned something about bike riding since then. Training wheels are a temporary thing to teach you how to give. He has an implication that you should be giving more, not less. He argues this way: New Covenant blessings are always expansions of Old Covenant practices, not reductions. We’re not, as Christians say, “Oh good, now we’re in the New Covenant. We can give less than the Old Covenant people did.” That’s just not the way that the Bible tends to work. But we’re not given an amount. We’re told this: under New Testament principles, we should give sacrificially, cheerfully, and by faith. We should give regularly and according to what we have. That could be a whole sermon. I’m not going to do that, but that’s how we should do it. We want to give generously, sacrificially, and cheerfully according to what we have. Our desire is that you would be faithful to those principles. If you are being faithful, that really is our budget. We should reduce our budget by that amount and say, “That’s what we can do.” But is it? That’s the question we have to ask. Tithes, many have thought, and I’m sympathetic to this, should go to the local church and offerings to ministry beyond the walls of the church. Tithes and offerings. That’s a phrase we hear a lot. Benevolence money, money to missions, money to other things, to parachurch ministries, those are your offerings. Tithes, then, go to enable local churches like this one to keep doing this, to keep meeting on Sundays. That’s generally what tithes go to. Also, there are offerings that go toward the building. Like I said, our building needs attention. Back in 1995, three years before I came, the church had a giving campaign to upgrade the sanctuary, the children’s area directly below, and build the North Tower. So basically this wall and over, down and up. If you go into the educational wing, you’ll notice a difference. It feels a little different. Does it to you? I mean, it does to me. So that’s from the 1960s and earlier. I think it’s cool. The elevator over there was put in the year I was born. It’s an old elevator. You’ve been in it. I think it’s kind of cool and adventuresome to be in that elevator alone in the building. It’s like, how much courage do you have? You’re halfway between floor two and three, and it’s like no one is there. You will pray, is what you will do. All right. They had an offering of $1.8 million. It got paid off a year after I got here. So, in about four years, they paid off $1.8 million. We’re still benefitting from that today. You don’t have to see the before and after photos. Our church needs a bunch of things done that will amount to probably two thirds of that, okay? Stuff in the parking lot and stuff in that wing, stuff with the ceiling, the roof. Some of it you’ll never notice. But if it doesn’t happen, you’ll notice that it needed to be done. We’re going to have to look at what kind of giving and what kind of commitment we have. So I’m just asking you to look at how you’re actually spending your money. Are you enslaved to credit card debt? You may have problems with credit card debt. You may not, but you may be spending your money on other things. You may be spending your money on other good things, church things, Christian things, but just not giving to the church. I just would commend to you, for the purpose of evaluation, tithing being the start. Start there and grow from there. Give first and foremost to the church budget. Healthy Church Members Serve the Body Fifth, healthy church members serve the body. Fundamentally, healthy church members use their spiritual gifts to build the body. I just want to ask you a simple question. What is your spiritual gift ministry? What do you do regularly that’s a gift, that’s a gift of faith, a gift of administration, a gift of teaching, a gift of evangelism, a gift of prayer or a gift of worship? What are you doing regularly, in a patterned way, to build the local church? Evaluate yourself. Are you using your gifts? There are so many different ministries that you can get involved in here. I’m not going to delineate them. Healthy Church Members Evangelize Finally, sixth, healthy church members evangelize the lost. We must embrace the external journey of missions and evangelism. Evangelism is something we do with people who speak our same language and are of the same culture. Missions is what we do with people who do not speak our language and are not of our same culture. We should be involved in both. Evaluate your own habit patterns. When was the last time that you invited someone to church? Evaluate your involvement in missions. When was the last time you prayed for an unreached people group? Do you have an awareness of our missionaries, our church’s missionaries? Do you have a commitment to pray for them? The elders can help you grow in all of these areas. We regularly do evangelism classes and do evangelistic outreaches. Just evaluate your involvement. Well, those are the six areas I would like to commend to each of you to evaluate yourselves. Be praying with us and with the elders for our church to get stronger and healthier, and that we would grow in the grace and the knowledge of Christ, as the Lord has ordained. Close with me, if you would, in prayer. Prayer Father, we thank You for the time we’ve had to look at these things. To evaluate our life. To look at the Book of Ephesians one last time. I pray, Lord, that You would strengthen First Baptist Durham. Strengthen this church. Help us. O Lord, to be faithful and to grow and to give in the areas You want us to. Help us to use our spiritual gifts to build others up. Help us to give financially, sacrificially. God, strengthen our church. Thank You for being here and helping us by the Spirit. In Your name we pray. Amen.

In coaching clients on how to answer commonly asked interview questions, I always tell them not to use the canned answer, “I'm too much of a perfectionist,” for the “What is your greatest weakness?” question for several reasons. One, it's just that, a “canned answer” and recruiters know that. They've heard it a million times. The post Strive For Completion, Not Perfection appeared first on paNASH Passion & Career Coaching.

The Wisdom of SurrenderOur Under the Sun series continues as Pastor Matt Destry offers a reminder, encouragement, and some introspective questions about control and surrender, drawing from Ecclesiastes and Proverbs.We will explore how to lead wisely, address offence, and seek God's perspective and sovereignty in our daily lives.____________________________________________________________The Wisdom of Surrender: Relationships in Light of EternityThe wisdom of God is found in surrender, not in control.Act 1: The Futility of Control in RelationshipsScripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “Two are better than one… A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” And, 4:4 – all toil and achievement spring from envyPoint 2: Surrendering to God's Sovereignty in RelationshipsScripture: Proverbs 3:3-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”Point 3: Wisdom in Relationships – Forgiveness, Patience, and UnderstandingScripture: Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever would foster love covers over an offence, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”Proverbs 19:11 – “A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offence.”Application:If we're not called to control or fix our relationships, what are we called to do? The wisdom of Proverbs gives us three concrete actions:Choose Forgiveness Over Retaliation: Proverbs 17:9 reminds us that wise people seek to preserve relationships by letting go of offences. Think about where you've been holding onto a grudge—how can you let that go this week? (PRAYERFUL SURRENDER)Practice Patience in Conflict: Proverbs 19:11 encourages patience and understanding. When you feel wronged, pause before reacting. Ask yourself, “Is this something I can overlook for the sake of peace?” (RELEASE THE NEED TO CONTROL)Foster Love Through Humility: In a world that values being right, wisdom means choosing love over pride. Let humility lead your interactions, prioritising the relationship over your own ego. (SEEKING WISDOM, NOT PERFECTION)