Margin Maker: Recent Episodes
Jen Howat
Are you worn out from trying to do it all? Do you constantly worry about getting it all done and disappointing people if you don’t? Do you feel guilty for wanting space to laugh, linger, and just be? In today’s world women are faced with a relentless pace and the expectation to be all things. And we can feel it…physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. What’s the cure? Margin! Our life and leadership gets better when we create a sustainable pace and make space to be all that we were created to be. Join your host Jen Howat, as she gives you encouragement, support, and practical tips to make margin a reality in your life and leadership! Jen is a wife, mom, pastor, and coach who knows first hand what it’s like to lose yourself along the way in the name of doing it all. She has spent years giving spiritual guidance to women to help them prioritize what’s most important and embrace their God-given limits. And that’s what this show is designed to help you do too.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Fall will soon be upon us and once it starts it feels like one big jump to the end of the year. When you get to the end of 2022, what do you want to be different for you? Who do you want to be? In this episode of the Margin Maker podcast, I take you through some of the questions I use with my clients as they create healthy rhythms and boundaries and care for their soul.
Before you make a plan of action you need to be able to see the vision Jesus has for you.
Pull out a piece of paper, a journal, or something to capture what Jesus will say to you. Get into a quiet space (and set a timer if that helps you stay present in the moment.) Read over the passage from Matthew above and hear the promise Jesus speaks over you as He invites you to do life with Him...His way.
When you're ready, move to the questions.
Discovering the Vision Jesus Has For You * What's your vision for me? My family? My life and leadership? * What relationships would you like me to focus on? * What things are most important? What should I prioritize? * What rhythms and boundaries do you want me to create or maintain? * Where are the busy seasons coming up in the months ahead and when should I create margin before moving on to the next thing? * What obstacles could get in the way of what you desire for me? * Who do I need to communicate with?
Don't self edit and give every excuse as to why you can't do what you are sensing is needed. Just capture what Jesus is saying to you.
Do you know someone else who needs to discover the vision Jesus has for them? Make sure to share this episode!
Connect with Jen
Come visit our new website at jenhowat.com.
Resources for You If these questions have helped you and you want to create a rhythm of sitting with Jesus each month, check out the Margin Maker Planner.
Summer is my favorite season but this summer has been hard. When things became overwhelming, I made 3 life-giving decisions that have made all the difference in the world.
My 3 Decisions * I deleted all news apps off my phone. There is something to be said about being informed about what is happening in our world and in our communities, but watching and reading the news was not helping me be the best version of myself. I wasn't more loving. I wasn't more empathetic. The constant bombardment of watching people tear each other down while not making any strides to actually solve any issues was too much, so I quit and it has been life-giving!
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I stopped my morning bible and prayer routine. Ok, before you think I've lost it completely, let me tell you what I started doing. My husband and I started having coffee outside in the mornings. We also go for a morning walk. And I have been using the 30 Days to Resilient feature on the Pause App put together by John Eldredge and team. It's been quite some time since I have heard God consistently and clearly. But as I've spent time just being with Jesus and giving everything to Him, something has shifted. My soul is starting to come alive again as my roots grow deep down into Jesus.
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I stopped using social media platforms for my ministry. Yes, you read that correctly. I no longer have my Facebook and Instagram accounts for Women in Ministry United. Why? Well, there are a few things. First of all, I have struggled with what to post and I didn't want to put something out there just to put something out there. That doesn't feel authentic to me. I also realized that social media platforms are not the place where people are showing up to have candid conversations about their soul. Most come to check out, not check in and that's ok. So, why keep trying to come and do something in a space that isn't working? That didn't seem to make much sense. But I do wonder if a private Facebook group would be something of interest. I'd love for you to let me know. You can drop me a line HERE.
How about you? What decision could you make to breathe life into your soul? What isn't serving you well? What isn't helping you be a better person and share the love of Jesus? What is keeping you from being compassionate and empathetic? What life-giving decision would make all the difference to your heart, soul, family, relationship with God and ability to show up well for yourself and others?
Resources Mentioned In This Episode Margin for the Unexpected: EP:015
John Eldredge: He has written many books but one of my favorites is Get Your Life Back. He and his team also created the One Minute Pause App which includes 30 Days to Resilient. Also check out the Wild at Heart Podcast.
Would you be interested in a private Facebook group to have conversations around creating healthy rhythms and boundaries and caring for your soul? I'd love to know. Just click HERE and share your thoughts.
Connect with Jen
You can now find our website at jenhowat.com and you can email me at jen@jenhowat.com. I also hang out on instagram @jenhowat
Setting boundaries inevitably involves taking responsibility for your choices. You are the one who makes them. You are the one who must live with their consequences. And you are the one who may be keeping yourself from making the choices you could be happy with. We must own our own thoughts and clarify distorted thinking. -Henry Cloud
Many of us wonder how we ended up where we are today...so far away from the person we were created to be. It's because we are caught up in The Drift.
We have one life to live and we don't want to leave anything to chance. Boundaries are key to keeping us on track. That means that we need to grow in spiritual and emotionally maturity and exercise the authority Jesus gave us over our life and leadership. In other words, we need to become the adult. We need to take responsibility for our own choices.
And yet, many of us are at the whim of the waters, being tossed back and forth by everyone else's opinion and expectations. That's what the Apostle Paul calls being "immature children."
Becoming the Adult Over Your Life Means * You are a great leader. * You are wise. * You are godly. * You are intentional about stewarding well the limited time, energy, and resources God has given you.
Yes, you'll make mistakes. Things will come up. You'll grow. You'll learn. You'll fail. And then you'll grow some more. You will become more like Jesus. But it will NEVER happen if we do nothing...if we drift and abdicate responsibility over our life...expecting...hoping...that someone, somehow, somewhere will make it OK and do the adulting for us.
Key Questions * In what ways do you need to take ownership and responsibility for your life and leadership? * What decisions have you been leaving up to others that you need to reclaim authority over?
Resources Mentioned Henry Cloud, Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say Not to Take Control of Your Life
Pete Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Leadership
Margin Maker podcast: The Drift [EP:016] and How to Guard Against the Drift [EP:017]
The waters of life may seem calm but we are always in jeopardy of drifting. There is an undertow that is subtle and slow that constantly wants to pull us away from being the person we were created to be.
What do you to do protect yourself against the drift? Set boundaries.
Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. Taking responsibility for my life opens up many different options. Boundaries help us keep the good in and the bad out.
-Henry Cloud: Boundaries
Boundaries are a normal part of our lives. We find boundaries in our neighborhoods, on our streets, and within creation itself. God put boundaries into place for our wellbeing and peace. So, whether it's a physical boundary, behavioral boundary, relational boundary or emotional boundary...having boundaries are necessary for guarding against the drift and living as the person we were created to be.
Questions to Help You Guard Against the Drift * Who do you want to become? * What do you want to be true of you? * What’s the vision God has for your life? For your leadership?
It won't just happen. You can't do whatever you want, say whatever you want to say, watch whatever you want to watch, and scroll endlessly on whatever platform you want to scroll through and hope that somehow none of that will matter and you'll soul will stay whole and healthy and you'll be the person you were created to be.
So, grab a piece of paper, write down some ideas of boundaries you need to set so you won't drift and pick ONE to do for the next six weeks.
A gradual shift in attitude, opinion or position.
An aimless course.
To move along a line of least resistance.
To vary or deviate from a set course or adjustment.
This is what it means to drift. You will never drift into a mind filled with peace. You will never drift into a heart full of life. You will never drift into contentment and security. Perfect peace comes when we intentionally and continually fix our thoughts on God (Isaiah). A heart that flows with life comes when we constantly are on guard...carefully choosing what we let in. (Proverbs 4:23) Security comes when we cling to God (Psalm 63).
We can't think whatever we want, watch whatever we want, meditate on what ever we want and cling to whatever we want and hope to somehow stay aligned and focused on who God created us to be.
What do you do if you are caught in the drift? Set boundaries and take ownership of your soul and do the hard work of keeping watch.
And we'll talk more about that in the coming episodes.
Connect with Jen I'd love to connect on Voxer or email.
Send me a voice message or text via the Voxer app @jenhowat or join me for conversation over email. You can sign up HERE plus you'll get my free guide Win Back Your Day.
What do you do when the unexpected happens and you know you are beyond your emotional and physical capacity to get things done? Do you insist that you press on because that's what committed leaders do? Or do you rearrange things in order to create the space you need?
Most of us hesitate to create margin when the unexpected happens. We want to follow through with our obligations, serve people well, and be a person of our word. But most of the motivation to continue comes from guilt when we need time and margin for the unexpected.
In this episode of the podcast, I share lessons that I have learned over the last few weeks as I have been dealing with hurt and grief in the unexpected.
Things I Learned * Have some a re-entry plan as you get back into your work after spending time away. * Pay attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit and FOLLOW His promptings to create space when unexpected hard things happen...even if it means telling someone that you can't do something as planned. * Recognize that feelings of guilt for needing time to yourself IS NOT from God. There is no condemnation in Christ. * It is ok to cancel or reschedule your commitments if that is what you need in order to care for your soul. * Grief in one area of your life can open up previous places of pain that come from other losses, no matter how long ago. * Hold space to give yourself grace in the unexpected, hard things.
More Resources A Place to Pause: Creating Space to Lament and Connect with God
Creating Boundaries and Margin in the Midst of Tragedy [EP:013]
Is your to-do list out of control? Do you struggle with trying to check everything off of it? Do want to get things done but don't feel like you are making much progress? If you want to know the secrets to conquering your to-do list so it doesn't conquer you...this conversation is for you!
As busy Christian women leaders, we often are trying to manage ALL of the things and get it ALL done and yet as hard as we work, we still feel like we are falling short.
- What if you knew exactly what to do?
- What if you had space and time to step in the gap to help serve others?
- What if you could celebrate what you accomplished rather than regretting that you didn't do it all?
- What if you actually aren't supposed to do it all in the first place?
Your to-do list is not the boss of you! So let's chat about how you can conquer it before it conquers you!!!
Shape the Margin Maker Conversations If there are topics of conversation that would encourage and equip you as you make healthy rhythms and boundaries, I want to know! You can email me at support@womeninministryunited.com.
Work With Me The Margin Maker Collective
Private Coaching
Not sure where to start? Let's have a Discovery Call. Schedule yours today!
How does space and margin integrate or intertwine with tragedy, grief, or loss? Do you tend to feel guilty for create space when there's chaos happening in the world, in your community, or in your own life? Or do you feel like you have permission to step back and create boundaries...even in the midst of grief and loss?
In this episode, I share my thoughts and observations from interactions with other women leaders as we wrestle with making margin alongside the recent heartache that has gripped our country and the church.
Many of us are trying to process the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. It's difficult to find the time and the right people. At the same time, there is a profound sense of hurt that has been exposed more fully as the Southern Baptist Convention released its report giving details on those responsible for hundreds of cases of abuse within the church. Many of us have gone through the pain of being violated physically or emotionally by leaders in churches in every denomination.
And of course, we each have our own personal circumstances. Marriages are strained, our kids are struggling, we are dealing with anxiety and illness of our own. Setting boundaries and creating margin to process our hurt, grief, and pain is absolutely necessary. We need to allow ourselves time to lament, gather our thoughts, and sit with God.
We also should not feel ashamed or guilty for needing prayer and support for the difficulty we have in our own lives. We can both acknowledge the pain of others in Uvalde and elsewhere...AND give voice to our own hurt and needs. There is no comparison. Pain is pain. Grief is grief.
Extend yourself grace. Extend others grace, especially when they aren't responding the way you think they should. Let's think the best of one another, pray for each other, love each other, and be united together.
I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts around this topic.
Connect with Jen Email me: HERE
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. -Benjamin Franklin
If you're like me, you have a vision of what you want this summer. But here's what ends up happening...time goes by. Before you know it, the summer is over and there is so much that never happened.
Planning helps you be thoughtful and intentional about the time ahead. Planning takes your vision from an idea to reality.
Here's How You Can Plan for the Season Ahead Set aside 30 minutes to spend time with God. Put this commitment on your calendar and keep it as you would any other appointment.
Questions to Ask as You Plan Your Summer * God, what is your vision for me over these next few months? * What do you envision for my life, my family, my leadership? This can include things like your relationship with Him, your physical health, mental health, emotional health, community, and finances. * Who do you want to become? What do you want to be true of you when the summer or this next season is over? * Paint a vivid description about what you want and who you want to be. * What rhythms, space, margin and/or boundaries do you need? * What are some of the obstacles that can get in your way?
This is the type of visioning and planning we do in the Margin Maker Collective. I'd love for you to join me!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE HERE More About the Margin Maker Framework Episode 3
Connect with Jen
YouTube
Tired of being overwhelmed as a leader and never having enough time for the things that are the most important to you? Are you tired of living and leading in a way that keeps you from being your true self? If you want things to change...if you’re ready for things to change...if you find yourself wishing that somehow things would just change…this is for you!
It's time to stop making excuses about why you can't have the healthy rhythms and boundaries you need to thrive in life and leadership. You don't have to stay stuck. And there is a community that will help you every step of the way!
The Margin Maker Collective No more excuses! Start making the margin you need to thrive in your life and leadership! As a member of the Margin Maker Collective, you will receive:
- Monthly Group Coaching call with Q&A
- Monthly Soul Care + Spiritual Direction group coaching call
- Monthly Accountability group call
- Quarterly Online Planning Retreat (January, April, July, October)
- Your Margin Maker Blueprint PDF
- Access to recorded coaching calls
- BONUS: Training and PDF Library
- BONUS: The Margin Maker Planner
- BONUS: Private Community
- BONUS: 20% off additional 1:1 coaching calls
Let's Get Started!
Are you looking for new ways to renew your soul? Sometimes we can get in a rut and spiritual practices that have worked so well for us in the past don't seem to be as helpful. In order to be healthy pastors and leaders as well as women living in the freedom of Christ, we should be growing closer to the Lord each and every day.
While there is nothing "magical" about a spiritual practice per se, trying a new spiritual discipline, even one that may be a bit uncomfortable, is a great way to stay connected with Jesus and learn to hear Him and See Him in fresh new ways.
In this episode, I share 4 spiritual disciplines you can use to help you renew your soul and grow closer to God. Here are the spiritual disciplines we cover:
EXAMEN
SILENCE AND SOLITUDE
MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE
PRAYING A PSALM IN NATURE
Questions to Consider for EXAMEN * Where did you sense God and His presence? * How were you loved by God today? * Where did you not feel God present? * In what part of your day was God’s love not obvious? * Where did you need God today but couldn’t find Him? * What were some joys? Victories? Concerns? Struggles? * What brought you life? What sucked the life out of you? * When were you living and leading as your true self? * When were you living and leading as your false self?
Resources Mentioned The Only Necessary Thing: Living A Prayerful Life
Henri J.M. Nouwen
An Invitation to Silence and Solitude
Ruth Haley Barton
Praying a Psalm in Nature
A Place to Pause
Let me ask you…Are you an automatic YES person? Do you always say yes when someone asks you to do something? Is that your default answer? Or, what about this one…Maybe you’d like to say no but you don’t know how to break that cycle. Or maybe you don’t even know what answer to give, is this something you SHOULD do or not…or perhaps you wonder…do I have a choice?? In today’s episode I am going to share with you some tips on how you can discover and learn whether you should say yes or whether you should say no…and we’ll also chat about HOW to communicate your decision.
3 Tips to Help You Discern Whether to Say YES or NO Don't Give An Answer Right Away. Create space between the ask and the answer. Say something like, "let me check on a few things and get back to you." There is power in pausing. This helps use be thoughtful
Ask God. We tend to only ask God about the "big" things. But every yes adds up. God is the only one who knows what is ahead. He knows what is good for you. He is the one who is in control. Why wouldn't we want His direction in the all things?? The ask can be good. It can be a godly activity or endeavor. But that doesn't mean it is for us in the moment.
Count the Cost. Every yes costs you something. Time. Energy. Resources. Spiritual capacity. We are limited. Every yes is a withdraw on our capacity and we need to count the cost because we have limitations. What is the cost of saying yes to your relationships, your marriage, your family, and everything else you have already said yes to??
And then... Once you know the answer and if it is no, make sure to communicate it simply and clearly. Don't beat around the bush. Don't give a long-winded dissertation explaining why this isn't a good time (we don't give a 20 minute reason why we say yes, so why would we do this when saying no??) Be clear. Don't give a bunch of reasons. And don't say so much that they aren't sure what your answer was!!
There is great power to know when to say yes and when to say no. It helps you lead with focus, be more attentive, care for your soul, have time for the things that matter most, and for you to be the leader and person you were created to be!
I'd love to know which tip is most helpful to you!
RESOURCE FOR YOU Win Back Your Day: 8 Tips to Regaining Control of Your Time
Are you loving the podcast? If you are finding value from the Margin Maker podcast, I'd love it if you would go and rate and review it and share it with a friend.
You can also find the video version of the podcast on my YOUTUBE CHANNEL along with other helpful tips and resources for create space to thrive!
Do you feel like you’ve tried to make margin but nothing seems to work. Are you getting frustrated and want to throw in the towel? Before you think that healthy rhythms and boundaries are simply not possible for you, let me share with you 4 common mistakes that people make when it comes to creating the space they need.
Common Mistakes We Make 1. You aren't sure what you want. Are you clear on the margin you need to make? Do you know what it would look like? Do you have a plan. The more specific you get the more progress you'll make!
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You are trying to do it all. Doing a few thing well will help you make the most progress. Resist the temptation to change everything at once. What will help you make the most progress? What will be the most helpful? What would make everything else easier? Start there.
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You give up too soon. Let's face it, we usually expect instant results. But here's the reality...this is a life-long journey. You don't establish a rhythm and have everything change overnight. This is "a long obedience in the same direction." Don't discount the value of doing something for the long haul. Resist the temptation of jumping ship too soon!
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You don't take time to evaluate your progress. Many times things ARE changing but we miss out seeing the small sifts because we don't stop, look, examine, and discern. It's easier to see the bigger, obvious changes but don't discount the small beginnings.
Feeling frustrated is normal but margin IS possible for you because God made you for it! So don't give up. Think about these common mistakes and see which one might be impacting your progress.
More Resources If you need some ideas to help you get started making margin, check out Episode 7.
Connect with Jen YOUTUBE: You can find the Margin Maker podcast, videos to help you care for your soul (A Place to Pause) and other tips HERE.
You know you want to create margin and integrate healthy rhythms into your life and leadership but where do you start? What are some ideas of practical things you can put into place. In this episode I’m going to share with you some ideas for margin to help you get started.
I was leading a workshop on making margin at a women's clergy conference and someone raised their hand and said...I know that this is going to be different for each of us, but what are some practical examples of what margin could look like in our lives? Where do we start?
I loved this question! Yes, the type of margin we need will be different for each of us. In fact, it will shift and change in our own lives as we live and lead through different seasons. But there are some ways you can begin. And in this episode I share how you can get started.
Ideas for Making Margin in Life and Leadership * Sabbath * Starts and Finishes * Movement and Meals * Add in Fun
Need More Help? Grab the guide WIN BACK YOUR DAY for more tips!
Is the way you’re living and leading making you more than just tired? As you think about your weariness, does it feel like you are carrying the weight of so many expectations? Are you faced with following the rules for life and leadership that someone else has set for you?
If you are, you are not alone. Jesus has an invitation just for you and I have a question I want you to ask you to consider. I’ve got to warn you…it may be a bit uncomfortable. But in your wrestling, I believe God will reveal the truth…and as Jesus says, the truth will set you free.
You Are Invited Jesus offers us a wonderful invitation in Matthew 11:28-30. He says:
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
Many of us wonder...
...Could this invitation really for me?
...Can I still be a good and godly leader and go to Jesus for the type of rest and life He is promising?
...Can I really be a good leader and let go of the burdens?
We tend to think that we have to carry them around with us.
The burdens Jesus was talking about was the load of a burden created by the rites and unwarranted precepts laid upon the people…the rules used to control, influence or regulate their conduct. And He contrasts those types of burdensome yokes with the yoke and burden He desires to give us. His is easy and light.
You see, to live well...to serve others...and to love Jesus doesn’t mean to carry around the weight of everyone else’s expectations and trying to live and lead according to their rules.
Jesus says He will not lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. So if you feel that heaviness, if you feel like there is something ill-fitting, here is a question to ask yourself:
Whose yoke are you wearing? Whose rules are you following? As Paul says in Romans 6...Don't you know you become a slave to whatever you choose to obey? So, who is it? These are hard questions. It's uncomfortable because it forces us to examine and go beneath the surface and see if we are following someone else. But ew have to be careful and make sure that we are obeying JESUS and HIS expectations and not someone else's rules.
God wants to release you from the bondage of being yoked to something other than Jesus.
Have you lost your energy? Is it harder to get things done? Do you struggle focusing on others and showing empathy? We all go through seasons of pouring ourselves out, but how do you know when you’ve more than just tired? In this episode, I am going to unpack my working definition of burnout and share a few signs that might indicate there’s more going on than just you being tired.
Working Definition of Burnout "Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.”
Here are some signs that you are more than tired: * Anger * Bitterness, resentment * Blaming everyone else for why you’re struggling * Don’t really care about the outcomes…(different than caring but leaving the outcomes to God) * Loss of passion, drive (in relationships, in roles, in the things that you love…movies, going on a day trip) * Lack of joy * Critical spirit…judgmental * Downcast, defeated * Cynical * Uncontrolled emotions
These are just a few signs that you are more than tired. And while burnout is complex and all too common, if you think you are more than tired, you’re not stuck. Yes, this is your current reality but things can change.
You can change.
Your rhythms can change. Your boundaries can change. Your mindset can change. You can be a part of a community that encourages, empowers and equips you to break free from unhealthy patterns. There is hope. There is healing. There is wholeness in Christ.
If you think you are dealing with a form of burnout or you’re not sure…don’t try and navigate this road alone. Reach out. If you don’t have someone you can trust to process with, reach out to me. I’d love to listen to your story and help you discern your next right step. You can email me HERE or you can schedule a Zoom call HERE.
No hidden agenda. Just space to pause and share where you find yourself these days.
Burnout Definition HERE
When you were learning what it meant to follow Jesus as His disciple did anyone talk to you about the reality of burnout? Were you encouraged or taught to lead in a way that prevents burnout so you can do what you’re called to do for the long haul? Burnout is prevalent but it is also preventable. And yet...
...this is a subject typically avoided, especially in conversations around our Christian vocation and the life of the church. In today’s episode, I am going to share with you the things no one told me about burnout so you can live and lead with a greater awareness of this all too common threat.
Definition of Burnout "Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.”
5 Things No One Told Me About Burnout * It is the norm, not the exception. * It can happen to me. * A life that leads to burnout is celebrated. * Burnout can ruin more than your job performance. * No one told me that it would be difficult to find people to talk with about it and get support.
Quote "A right application of scripture does not lead to burnout."
Links to Article Referenced BURNOUT DEFINITION
2013 Schaeffer Institute Study
2019 a summary of surveys from Fuller Institute, Barna and Pastoral Care Inc.
2021 Barna Survey
How can you actually make margin in your life and leadership? What’s the actual process? How do you figure out what you need and what should you do once you have the vision? In this episode I share with you the margin maker framework to take the guesswork out of it.
The Margin Maker Framework Caring for your SOUL: Ruth Haley Barton describes the soul as the truest part of you. Your relationship with God, your understanding of your whole self, and focusing on who you are becoming are all aspects of the soul and help you define your priorities.
Reconnecting with your CALLING: Your God-given passions and desires help shape the role you play in the body of Christ. Reconnecting to the call God has placed on your life helps you rediscover your priorities.
Shifting your MINDSET: We make decisions based on what we believe. Oftentimes we are stuck because of fears, lies, and limiting beliefs. When we go beneath the surface we can see that there are underlying falsehoods that are perpetuating unhealthy cycles. Shifting our mindset to align with the Word of God helps us break unhealthy patterns and behavior so we can make progress.
Creating your PLAN: Hoping things will somehow change isn’t a great strategy. We will never drift into having margin. We need to be intentional and make plans to put the HR&B we need into place.
Engaging in DIALOGUE: We do not live or lead in a vacuum. We do life with others. As we begin to do something different we should be communicating with others so that they can know what to expect.
Connecting for SUPPORT: We can be connected to Jesus, clear on our priorities, have the right mindset and strategies, and communicate clearly…but when it comes down to it, we then need to put our plans into action and do something different. This is hard. Having support through community keeps us encouraged, empowered, and equipped!
The framework's purpose is to ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER, and EQUIP you to make the margin you need.
Robert Swenson defines margin as, "the space between our load and our limits." The problem is...we are constantly pushing our limits and it eventually takes a toll on our soul, our family, and the people and places we lead.
5 Guiding Principles to Making Margin * You are loved by God without limits or conditions (not based on what you do). * Jesus came so that you can have life and life to the fullest (you are not the exception). * You were made for margin. * Who you are becoming matters more than what you are doing. * The degree of your intentionality and how purposeful you are in your decision-making will determine the degree of margin you will have.
More Things We Covered * The epidemic of busyness. * The role of the pandemic. * What we have in common with rubber bands. * The margin in the life of Jesus.
Welcome to the first episode of the Margin Maker podcast! The intention of these first few episodes is to give you a vision for what you can expect on this journey. If you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you will get notified each time a new episode goes live.
Who is this show for and what is it designed to do? This show is specifically designed to help Christian women leaders slow down the pace and create healthy boundaries so that you can have time for what matters most in both your personal life and your leadership.
The fact is many of us don’t think much about making margin until we start to feel like things are going off the rails a bit. And thankfully God gives us plenty of warning signs that we are extending ourselves beyond our limits and not living and leading as the women He has created us to be.
Red Flags That You Need Margin * You are worn out from trying to do it all. * You feel the fatigue of the relentless pace. * You find it hard to be at your best and give your best. * You struggle to find time to be fully present. * You are giving so much of yourself to your leadership responsibilities that you find yourself empty and don’t have much to give to your family, or even yourself. * You feel guilty for wanting a sustainable pace or time for yourself. * You worry about getting it all done and disappointing people if you don't.
Your life is too precious and your purpose too great to simply just make it through. And my goal is to help you have the margin you want. These episodes will encourage, empower, and equip you. They will give you space to connect with Jesus and invite you to reshape your thinking to align with who God says you are and what He is calling you do to,
AND we won’t stop there…these episodes will also challenge you to take action….To put margin into practice, integrating it into your life and leadership to make it part of your experience...not just wishful thinking.
Quote "Margin is the space between our load and our limits." -R. Swenson