(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.)
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Have you ever felt like you're juggling too many expectations only to find joy slipping through your fingers? In a world where happiness feels fleeting and circumstances dictate our mood, discovering a joy that lasts is more important than ever. If you're carrying too much, feeling stretched too thin, or wrestling with a mind full of clutter and expectations, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. December brings joy, that's true, but it often brings an emotional load, doesn't it? Invisible pressure and a feeling that we're supposed to keep up with everything all at once.
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But you don't have to stay in a state of overwhelm. You can simplify. You can breathe again.
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Today we'll uncover how your relationship with Christ can transform fleeting happiness into a deep, abiding joy that withstands life's storms. I'll share a story about my own experience with December madness and how it eventually led to a life in which peace is an integral part. I like to think of joy as a wellspring of peace that flows from within.
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It might sound too poetic to be true, but once you realize what Jesus truly offers, you'll never go back. So if you're exhausted, I'm glad you're here because today we're going to fix that. Welcome to Goals in Grace, the podcast for accomplished women who are ready to align their ambition with faith and step into their highest potential.
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I'm Rev. Juliet Spencer, a certified high-performance coach and former pastor, and I'm here to help you break free from imposter syndrome, embrace gratitude, and lead with clarity, purpose, and peace. Each week I'll share faith-filled encouragement, personal stories, and proven strategies from books like High Performance Habit, as well as from my coaching program, The Purpose and Peace Pathway, to help you achieve success without apology. You'll walk away with tools to lead boldly, live intentionally, and honor the calling on your life.
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Let's step into our calling together. Don't forget to follow the podcast and share it with a friend who's ready to grow. Let me begin with a quick story.
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There was a December quite some time ago when I said yes to way too many things. I was consumed with sermons, visiting shut-ins, hosting a Sunday school dinner, of course my kids' school events and taking them shopping and baking, just to name a few. Oh, and let's not forget squeezing in as many Christmas movies as my family would tolerate.
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In other words, it was a lot. And yet, there was a part of me that initially loved the craziness of it all. There were so many sacred moments and I didn't want to miss any of them.
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But one evening, when I climbed in bed well after midnight, I looked up at the ceiling and just felt tired, bone-weary tired, as my mom used to say. My body was desperate for rest, but I couldn't turn my mind off long enough to fall asleep. And the harder you try to switch off the non-stop chatter in your brain, the worse it becomes.
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I tried to say a quick prayer, but was just too tired to focus. Instead, my mind was racing with the litany of tasks that I still had to do. I remember thinking, this can't be what God intends for my life.
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And there has to be a better way to experience the holiness of the holidays. What I learned in that experience is that overwhelm isn't always about having too much to do. It's about choosing who we're going to be as we do it.
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But it is also about having too many things on your plate and carrying more than you were meant to hold. That realization set me on a journey toward simplifying my life, spiritually, mentally, and practically. What are you carrying that your soul wasn't meant to hold? When overwhelm arises, we often assume that we're the problem.
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But Jesus speaks directly into this very experience. In John chapter 14, verses 27, he says Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives.
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So do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Jesus makes a clear distinction. There's the world's pressure, and there's God's peace.
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They're not the same, and they don't feel the same. But more importantly, we do not have to carry them both. Let's be honest, I love Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, etc.
as much as the next person. And I love to unwind with a really good movie or binge-watch Netflix with husband. But they paint an unrealistic view of what normal looks like, don't they? Even without realizing we're buying into it, we're being subtly influenced on what it means to do something well.
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From how we decorate the Christmas tree to making the perfect pie with the Christmas scene made into the crust, to holiday makeup, to what makes the best family photo to go with the exceptionally well-written holiday letter that's mailed in plenty of time to arrive just before Christmas. I've learned to rely heavily on the peace Jesus gives, and now I regularly give myself the grace I need. In fact, if I'm even going to write an annual letter, it's more like a…as we move into the New Year letter.
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And I usually send it sometime in January. Usually. And as for the perfect pie to make your house smell warm and cozy, I order a pie and burn some yummy candles instead.
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The world's standards are not meant for our joy and fulfillment. They lead to comparison-itis and nothing but physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial stress. And then, in Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 through 30, Jesus continues the invitation.
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He says, Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
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Isn't that beautiful? God's path isn't heavy, God's expectations aren't overwhelming, and God isn't asking us to sprint through December at a pace that drains our spirit. My friend, Jesus extends that invitation to you, personally. He sees your efforts.
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He knows when you're overworked and overwhelmed and being pulled in too many different directions. I believe with all my heart that it's His desire to give you rest. We've been given these scriptures to reorient us.
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In other words, the world piles on pressure, and Jesus offers peace. If you haven't yet downloaded my guide, Stop the Overwhelm, From Chaos to Clarity, in just 15 minutes a day, you can get the link in the show notes. It's helped people just like you to find their peace and to grow in their relationship with Christ in the process.
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Just remember that perfection isn't the goal. You were made for more than that, but that feeling, that inability to stop long enough to be fully present, is trying to tell you that something needs to change. High performers don't ignore that signal.
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They interpret it, and then they act. I've learned that overwhelm is caused by friction in four key areas. Unclear priorities.
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Too many things competing for your attention. For me, it was wanting to make the perfect Christmas for everybody, but rather than stopping to consider what I could reasonably do well, I tried to do it all. How clear are you about what you want, and what you can, and should, reasonably expect yourself to do? Unprotected boundaries.
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Too much access, and too many yeses. It wasn't just about too many items, it was also about agreeing to take more ownership of each item than was necessary. Because I hadn't gotten clarity, I found it uncomfortable to let people know, in the congregation or in my family, that if they wanted all the things, then I would need some help.
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And what's worse, I unintentionally robbed others of the blessing of using their gifts and their energy on activities that could be really meaningful. Where are you allowing others' expectations, or your own unreasonable expectations, to cut into what's really important? What would it look like if you were able and willing to say no, or to ask for help? Unmanaged commitments. The mental clutter of unfinished tasks and unmade decisions.
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Having so many things unprioritized also meant that I lived in a perpetual state of incompleteness. If you're in that space, you already know how exhausting it can be. And finally, unmet needs for rest and presence.
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Running on empty and calling it normal isn't healthy, and it's not the life God wants for us. My body tried to tell me that long before I was willing to listen. Taking time for yourself is an important way to honor God's blessings, because you are, after all, a gift from God.
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When was the last time you carved out space just to decompress? If you haven't done it lately, I hope you'll hear this as encouragement to do just that. As someone once said, overwhelm is what happens when the pace of your life outruns the purpose of your life. I love that.
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It's your soul saying, slow down. Something here needs clarity. Something needs to change.
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And here's what's important. You don't power through overwhelm. I'm going to say that again, because that December, I am quite sure I needed to hear it more than once.
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You don't power through overwhelm. High performers don't push harder when the signal shows up. They tune in.
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It's a great reminder of asking yourself some really important questions, such as, is this pace sustainable? Is this allowing me to live the kind of life that I truly want and that's good for me and for my family? Is this pressure coming from outside expectations or from internal and unrealistic standards? And what is my ultimate goal? When you recognize the signal, then ask yourself these questions, you gain the power to change your response. That December night, I realized that my attempt to recreate the perfect Christmas was a reflection of deeper misalignments in my life. In that moment, I chose to listen to the signal and to redefine my priorities, to reclaim my peace.
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It was a choice to live intentionally aligned with my true purpose. But don't let me fool you. It took practice and I asked for help in order to get me there.
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One thing that's worth noting is that while this realization gave me a wake-up call, it did not bring shame. It brought freedom. It was the moment that I understood that clarity was more than just a concept.
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I knew I needed to get really clear about the example I was setting for my children, and I also needed to be intentional about the life I was unintentionally creating for us all. I realized that the people I loved the most weren't getting my best. Plus, I was shortchanging myself.
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Believe me when I tell you that realization marked the beginning of a real shift for me. Once I got clear about who I wanted to be and how I wanted to show up, and the life I wanted to cultivate for my family and for my congregation, I was so much better equipped to deal with the demands because I felt free to delegate what I could and flat-out decline what I needed to say no to. I could prioritize my time to make sure that the really important things were where I spent most of my energy and time.
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But recognizing the signal is just the beginning when it comes to the catalyst for change. So, let's explore the practical steps that will empower you to live a life of intentionality and peace. Step 1. The 5-Minute Brain Dump.
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Set a timer. I usually do for 30 minutes. Write everything down that's occupying mental space—tasks, worries, decisions, expectations, and any loose ends flying around in your brain.
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This isn't organizing, it's clearing your mind. Overwhelm thrives in chaos, but it shrinks when things become visible. I have several clients who keep a pen and paper on their nightstand so that they can do this right before they go to bed every night to clear their minds.
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And they absolutely swear by it for a good night's sleep. Step 2. Identify your Top 3. Ask yourself, what 3 things are important for me to accomplish? Now, I ask myself this single question every single day, but then I also ask it at the beginning of each week and at the beginning of each month. Another question? What will bring peace to my life? And finally, what do I need to start doing and what do I need to stop doing in order to cultivate the life that I've been called to lead? The latter two, if I don't ask once a day, I at least ask once a month.
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Everything else is optional. Clarity is one of the best antidotes to overwhelm and asking these 3 questions really does make a difference. One of my clients recently stepped into the power of identifying her top 3 priorities.
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Before that, she had clarity on the kind of life she wanted to cultivate, but she struggled with all the things that were pulling her in a hundred different directions. When she named her top 3 priorities at the beginning of each day, and each week, and each month, she was better equipped to spend her time and energy on things that really would help her reach her goals, and that really would help her achieve the kind of life that she wanted. This wasn't just about work for her either.
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This was about her time at home and time with her family. Knowing those top 3 also gave her the permission she was looking for to tell people no when something didn't align or if it would steal too much of her time away from what was important. More than once, she's told me what a game changer this simple practice has made in the quality of her life and in her family's life.
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If I stopped by your house tomorrow, would you be able to tell me your top 3? How will those priorities impact what you allow to be on your plate? Definitely worth thinking about. Step 3, Cancel, Delegate, or Delay. Once you have clarity, cancel what doesn't serve your calling this month.
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Delegate what you can, and delay what can wait until January. Now let me say this plainly, canceling something is not quitting, it's stewardship. I was cheating myself and my family by not getting clear on my top 3, by over committing and running myself ragged.
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But once I did, I committed either to getting help or to saying no. And do you know what? As it turns out, I'm a bit of a control freak. Letting others do things that I wrongly assumed I had to do brought in talents of people who were often way better than I was.
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Step 4, Build Micro-Margins into Your Day. Micro-margins are small moments of rest that I absolutely swear by. In fact, I have a number of clients who join me in the micro-margins fan club.
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Why? Because they equip you to show up with greater energy and to be present in the moments that really matter. Here are some examples. Take a 2-minute walk between tasks, or take a 10-minute walk.
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Turn off phones during all meals. Set a boundary around your work hours. Spend 2 minutes reciting a favorite scripture while stretching and breathing deeply.
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These are not luxuries, they're the oxygen that your mind needs and they build productivity. I also set my timer for 50 minutes throughout the workday to make sure that I'm taking breaks. And during those breaks, I walk around, frequently stretch, and drink some water.
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It might seem counterintuitive, but you really are more productive when you give your mind and your body a break. So what kind of micro-margins can you create? And what will you do? Step 5, Return to Presence on Purpose. Overwhelm pulls you into the future, but presence anchors you right where God is.
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Try this simple prayer, Jesus, bring me back to this moment. You'll be surprised by how quickly your spirit settles. The statement, God is with me in this moment, so in this moment, I am fine, which I shared in Episode 11, are my go-to's.
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Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to be present, don't we? My friend, I hope that these steps will prove as effective for you as I know they have been for me and countless others. Imagine stepping into the holiday season not with the usual overwhelm, but with a profound sense of peace and joy. That's exactly what our upcoming Joy Reset Series is all about.
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It's a gentle, faith-rooted journey crafted to help you release the emotional and mental clutter that often clouds this time of year, and to set down the mental and emotional burdens that can pop up, especially during this season. Picture yourself reclaiming a grounded sense of joy, resetting your expectations and strengthening your boundaries, all while preparing for the new year with calm and clarity. This series is your invitation to embrace the holidays with a renewed spirit and a heart full of joy.
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If this episode has resonated with you, then get ready to dive in deeper, because the Joy Reset Series is a transformative experience that will set the tone for a truly joyful season. As leaders, you have a unique opportunity to model what it means to live with intention and grace. You're not just guiding others, you're setting the tone for how to navigate life's pressures with faith and resilience.
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Remember, leadership isn't about carrying every burden alone. It's about showing others how to find strength in surrender and clarity in chaos. Jesus offers you peace and rest, and as you embrace these gifts, you illuminate the path for those who look to you for guidance.
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You can simplify, breathe, and align your action with God's calling, releasing what doesn't serve you. I'm standing with you, believing that peace is not only possible, it's God's promise. As you lead with love and purpose, you're inspiring others to do the same.
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Remember, you are not meant to live overwhelmed. Not in December, not in any season. Will you join me for prayer? God thank you for every listener who is longing for peace in this season.
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Thank you for offering rest when life feels heavy and spaciousness when our calendars feel full. I ask that you calm anxious thoughts, steady weary hearts, and guide each person into a rhythm of simplicity and grace. Help them to release what is not theirs to carry and hold on to what nourishes their spirit.
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Fill their December with your peace and clarity and your gentle presence. In the powerful name of Jesus the Christ we pray, Amen. Now that we've prayed together, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on what you can release today.
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Write down one thing you're ready to let go of and one step you can take towards embracing peace. Share your commitment with someone you trust or message me so that I can pray specifically for you. You are not alone on this journey, so let's walk this path of peace and purpose together.
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Your next right step is waiting, so take it boldly. And if this episode brings peace and joy to your heart, please share it with someone else. And leave me a review if you don't mind so that others will find it easier to locate.
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Until next time my friend, God bless.
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.)
