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What God Taught Me About Work-Life-Balance While SUPing (Paddleboarding) · The Wholehearted Enneagram Podcast

0:03
SPEAKER_00: Hi, I'm Amy Wicks, a Jesus and Enneagram enthusiast.
0:07
SPEAKER_00: As a wife, mama of three humans, and a fur baby, I get it.
0:12
SPEAKER_00: Juggling entrepreneurship in a family is challenging.
0:16
SPEAKER_00: But I believe the Lord does want your work to be enjoyable.
0:20
SPEAKER_00: As an Enneagram type seven, I am all about the fun factor.
0:24
SPEAKER_00: And this podcast is here to help you put the joy back into working mom life.
0:29
SPEAKER_00: So you can see 1 Timothy 617 come to pass in your own thing.
0:35
SPEAKER_00: It's a verse that says that God has given us all things to enjoy.
0:39
SPEAKER_00: All friends, it means all.
0:42
SPEAKER_00: Motherhood, work from home life, or work out of the home life.
0:46
SPEAKER_00: With the Lord's help, there's truly a way to feel calm, balance, joy, clarity, and peace in any arena of life.
0:56
SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Simply Full Hearted Podcast, where you can expect solo-style and interview-style episodes that are full of faith-based concepts, simple ideas, Enneagram insights, alongside practical tips to help you put that smile back on your face when it comes to doing life with Jesus.
1:16
SPEAKER_00: Now get your headphones and head to that big pile of dishes in the sink.
1:22
SPEAKER_00: Or maybe that bathroom that needed cleaning two weeks ago.
1:26
SPEAKER_00: And let's get to learning together.
1:43
SPEAKER_00: And I do have some good news in case you missed it.
1:58
SPEAKER_00: And you also get the bonus sessions.
2:02
SPEAKER_00: So check it out in the show notes in case you missed it.
2:05
SPEAKER_00: But I bring it up because I emailed everyone a question to confirm their seat for the summit because I really wanted to find out what are you thinking?
2:16
SPEAKER_00: What is your biggest struggle?
2:19
SPEAKER_00: And in response to the question of what is your biggest struggle right now?
2:23
SPEAKER_00: And what do you want to make sure we speak to?
2:25
SPEAKER_00: The thing that came back again and again could be summed up in this phrase work life balance.
2:34
SPEAKER_00: Yes, so many women like you wrote me to say how much they struggled day in and day out with all the things demanding their time.
2:43
SPEAKER_00: Now, during the summit, I did create a bonus session about boundaries, which does answer the question in one way.
2:53
SPEAKER_00: But really, there is also some additional information to help you figure out your unique work-life balance.
3:03
SPEAKER_00: And a lot of what I've learned that I'm going to share today is from my time on the water, specifically this summer.
3:11
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you're new here and you didn't know this about me, going out on a body of water just fills my soul.
3:19
SPEAKER_00: It fills that cup, that soul cup.
3:22
SPEAKER_00: Even if it's just like an hour, it is so great for me.
3:28
SPEAKER_00: Now, maybe you have tried kayaking or paddleboarding, and you you're not so sure about it.
3:36
SPEAKER_00: But for me, stand-up paddleboarding or supping is one of my favorite things to do.
3:44
SPEAKER_00: Now, that phrase supping, you were probably wondering, what the heck is she saying?
3:48
SPEAKER_00: And you were almost going to maybe rewind it back to figure out what I said.
3:52
SPEAKER_00: Well, supping, S-U-P-I-N-G, is not like eating food or slang for eating supper, though I do very much enjoy eating that.
4:04
SPEAKER_00: But rather, supping is what the kids say when they're referring to the sport of paddleboarding.
4:09
SPEAKER_00: Now, I'm not going to say this on a repeated basis in this episode because I'm not as cool as the kids, but you know, it's fun for conversation, right?
4:20
SPEAKER_00: Now, here's the deal.
4:21
SPEAKER_00: I mentioned maybe you're not big on water sports, and maybe you've never even tried kayaking or paddleboarding because you're just, I don't know, maybe you're afraid or it makes you nervous or just not something you've been very much interested in.
4:34
SPEAKER_00: That's okay.
4:36
SPEAKER_00: But today you get to just try it out in your mind's eye.
4:40
SPEAKER_00: Now, first, you've got to pick your watercraft of choice.
4:44
SPEAKER_00: Do you want to try kayak or a paddleboard?
4:47
SPEAKER_00: Now, I'm not gonna give a list of pros and cons, just pick one.
4:52
SPEAKER_00: And the good news is I already got yours right here ready to go.
4:56
SPEAKER_00: And also, I've got some other great news.
4:58
SPEAKER_00: The temps are perfect.
5:00
SPEAKER_00: Yes, it's cool, it's crisp, the sun is shining, the water is idyllic, it's not too windy.
5:08
SPEAKER_00: Now play along.
5:10
SPEAKER_00: Close your eyes, unless you're driving, of course.
5:14
SPEAKER_00: And imagine with me.
5:18
SPEAKER_00: It's early.
5:19
SPEAKER_00: The skies have begun their fiery pink and orange drama.
5:23
SPEAKER_00: You've just set your watercraft on the water.
5:26
SPEAKER_00: You've climbed on or in, and you begin with an uncertain rhythm by dipping your paddle into the water.
5:34
SPEAKER_00: You see lily pads ahead, and to avoid getting ensnared, you glide your craft in the opposite direction.
5:41
SPEAKER_00: You paddle on the right, the left, the right, and left.
5:45
SPEAKER_00: Oh wait, you're you're gonna need to paddle hard to the left.
5:49
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
5:50
SPEAKER_00: After a few minutes of work, you pause.
5:53
SPEAKER_00: You put your paddle up as you coast and you glide on the water's gentle ripples.
5:58
SPEAKER_00: And when you look up, you soak in the now glowing hue of the changing trees as the rising beams of light hit it just right.
6:08
SPEAKER_00: You hear the distant cry of a loon somewhere in a wooded area nearby.
6:13
SPEAKER_00: And as you glance to the right, you realize the view is even better.
6:17
SPEAKER_00: So you decide to turn in that direction.
6:20
SPEAKER_00: You dip your paddle in the water again, trying to reach the east facing shore.
6:26
SPEAKER_00: Stroke, stroke, stroke, glide.
6:28
SPEAKER_00: You rest again, yet conscious of engaging yourself with the steadiness of the craft, because you don't want to get in for a morning dunk.
6:39
SPEAKER_00: You breathe in deeply, you have a sense that you're in the midst of the creator's presence.
6:47
SPEAKER_00: And the beauty of this moment is tangible.
6:50
SPEAKER_00: And yet it feels like there's so much to soak in at once as the brilliant light makes its way higher in the wispy, cloud-filled sky.
6:57
SPEAKER_00: You feel the pull to paddle, but yet be still and present to this moment.
7:03
SPEAKER_00: There's a war within your heart to pay attention and not miss this moment, yet needing to maintain your balance on the water and move on to the next place.
7:15
SPEAKER_00: Okay, open your eyes now.
7:17
SPEAKER_00: How did that feel?
7:19
SPEAKER_00: Was that stressful or relaxing?
7:21
SPEAKER_00: Maybe it was a little bit of both.
7:24
SPEAKER_00: I use this specific example because living and pursuing a whole-hearted life is akin to finding a balance or rhythm as you take up a water sport.
7:37
SPEAKER_00: At first mention when you think about kayaking or paddleboarding, you probably envision a smooth rhythmic stroke, perfect balance, and that toned, tan body, too, right?
7:51
SPEAKER_00: But really the day-to-day more often reflects a frenzied, harried panic, barely avoiding a tip into the water.
7:58
SPEAKER_00: And you're wondering, is balance actually even achievable here?
8:04
SPEAKER_00: How about that work-life balance when you're juggling faith, marriage, kids, school, work, health, food, home, friends, committees, sports volunteering, reading, email, and social media?
8:14
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
8:15
SPEAKER_00: Catch your breath with me.
8:17
SPEAKER_00: I realize that list I just read off.
8:20
SPEAKER_00: It just barely scratches the surface of responsibilities you likely face.
8:25
SPEAKER_00: And you might even be asking, what point will I actually attain this balance that everyone is selling?
8:35
SPEAKER_00: My hope today is to not add to the noise on the topic of work-life balance, but rather to create awareness of what you are going after and what is actually feasible for you.
8:46
SPEAKER_00: What is your rhythm?
8:49
SPEAKER_00: What is the right rhythm for your season, for your passion, for the people that you are with day in and day out?
9:00
SPEAKER_00: Here's the deal: every time I got on the water this summer, I was very acutely aware of the life lessons as I supped.
9:11
SPEAKER_00: And each time I would get out there, I would mole it over and have this conversation with the Lord.
9:18
SPEAKER_00: And of course, some of the illustrations that I'm going to offer today, they're just given in the spirit of fun because I really like paddleboarding.
9:27
SPEAKER_00: But my hope is when you're in the messy middle of balance gone wrong and work-life balance is actually a dirty word to you.
9:36
SPEAKER_00: I want you to remember one of these illustrations or thoughts that I offer today and just laugh at yourself and then get right back on and get back to it.
9:47
SPEAKER_00: Now, I've got a lot to say here, but I want you to hang on.
9:51
SPEAKER_00: Got at least 15 pictures to give to you and applications, practical applications as it applies to my experience with being on the water.
10:00
SPEAKER_00: But at the end, I'm going to have very specific action steps as we finish this conversation, things that I think will help you begin to engage in the rhythm that is right for you.
10:12
SPEAKER_00: Okay, these are in an intentional order to take you through a journey of how to maybe engage with a rhythm that's right for you right now.
10:21
SPEAKER_00: And first of all, you gotta know your season.
10:24
SPEAKER_00: Yep, if it's winter, if it is cold, blowing snow, it is not the right time to get on the water.
10:33
SPEAKER_00: Unless you're a cast member on the show alone or facing some sort of silly dare, there is no reason to get out on the water.
10:44
SPEAKER_00: So be aware.
10:46
SPEAKER_00: Where are you in life right now?
10:49
SPEAKER_00: Is it your winter?
10:51
SPEAKER_00: And you need to just bring it in home, stay at home, and grow a little bit slower.
10:59
SPEAKER_00: Also know that if it's spring and summer, you might be a little bit busier, and that's okay.
11:06
SPEAKER_00: Just know the season you're in and know eventually the season does end.
11:12
SPEAKER_00: Second, your paddleboard or kayak, well, it needs to be filled up.
11:18
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you're like me until a few years ago, I didn't know there was such a thing as an inflatable paddleboard or kayak.
11:27
SPEAKER_00: It's nothing like the inflatable tubes that you get at the Dollar General and take on the lake for, you know, one trip or maybe a summer.
11:36
SPEAKER_00: No, it's it's much sturdier than that, and it's a whole process.
11:39
SPEAKER_00: But here's the deal.
11:41
SPEAKER_00: Before you take an inflatable craft onto the water, you need to what?
11:46
SPEAKER_00: Fill it up, right?
11:48
SPEAKER_00: It needs to be full.
11:50
SPEAKER_00: And there's usually a matric to where you can't put in too little and you also can't put in too much or it might explode.
11:58
SPEAKER_00: Put in too little, and you're definitely going to be taking a swim, or your board or kayak is gonna fold in half with you in the center of it, and it's not gonna be pretty.
12:09
SPEAKER_00: So just like your watercraft needs to be full, so you need to be full of the spirit.
12:15
SPEAKER_00: You need to take in that soul food so that way you can be fueled and full and ready each and every day.
12:24
SPEAKER_00: It's not just a one-time or once-a-season thing, it is an every time you get on that craft, or every day you get out there and try to balance through life.
12:36
SPEAKER_00: I'm not gonna span in here all the different ways to fuel your soul.
12:39
SPEAKER_00: I've spent several episodes doing that.
12:42
SPEAKER_00: So I'll put those links in the show notes.
12:44
SPEAKER_00: But for now, make sure your craft is full or your soul is full.
12:50
SPEAKER_00: Number three and four kind of go hand in hand.
12:53
SPEAKER_00: If you didn't know, paddle boards on the bottom back side have fins.
12:59
SPEAKER_00: Usually there's three of them, two smaller ones that are a permanent fixture on the craft, and then there's a larger one that you slide in and out every time you take your board on the water.
13:12
SPEAKER_00: Now, first of all, the fin is important.
13:16
SPEAKER_00: You must know this.
13:18
SPEAKER_00: Recently, I was in such a hurry to get out on the water because I had a little window of time.
13:25
SPEAKER_00: I felt like it was taking so long, it was getting hot, I just wanted to get out there.
13:29
SPEAKER_00: Well, I forgot to put my fin on.
13:31
SPEAKER_00: I put it on the water, hopped on, and I could not go the right direction for the life of me.
13:37
SPEAKER_00: And I'm thinking, what the heck?
13:39
SPEAKER_00: What did I do?
13:40
SPEAKER_00: Did I repeat a mistake that I'm about to share with you here in a minute that I did in the past?
13:46
SPEAKER_00: Surely not.
13:46
SPEAKER_00: And then I'm like, oh shoot, I didn't put my fin on.
13:50
SPEAKER_00: Silly me.
13:52
SPEAKER_00: So I had to drag it up out of the water, paddle back to shore very slowly because it was hard to get it to go the right direction.
13:59
SPEAKER_00: But I was able to thankfully slip it on pretty easily and laugh at myself the whole way.
14:04
SPEAKER_00: And sure enough, when I put it back on the water, I could go the right direction.
14:08
SPEAKER_00: I essentially it would point me the true north.
14:12
SPEAKER_00: Not literally, but the fin is like remembering who is in charge.
14:19
SPEAKER_00: What is my true north?
14:20
SPEAKER_00: What is my truth?
14:22
SPEAKER_00: And my truth is resting in an all-loving, all-knowing, all-caring God who is full of truth.
14:32
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
14:33
SPEAKER_00: Second to that is that you've got to use the paddleboard or the kayak in the right direction.
14:40
SPEAKER_00: Yes, this is what I was alluding to earlier.
14:43
SPEAKER_00: I one time got on a paddleboard, and in my defense, I'd been on several different kinds.
14:48
SPEAKER_00: And however I did, I hopped on and I went on it the wrong way, as in I was trying to use it backwards.
14:55
SPEAKER_00: And like I said, the back end on the bottom has the fins.
14:59
SPEAKER_00: And if you're trying to paddle against it, you're gonna spin in circles.
15:03
SPEAKER_00: You're gonna be chasing your tail.
15:05
SPEAKER_00: It's sort of funny to watch and it's funny to think about now.
15:09
SPEAKER_00: I quickly realized mistake, right in my wrong, got back on it the right way.
15:13
SPEAKER_00: And it reminded me it's just important to have good theology.
15:18
SPEAKER_00: Similar to that true north, it's good to understand the tenets of our faith and the boundary lines in theology that we're gonna hear to that are gonna speak into our faith and how we approach the word of God.
15:31
SPEAKER_00: Fifth, you're gonna use awareness.
15:34
SPEAKER_00: Being aware, being aware of your surroundings, being aware of the type of water that you're on.
15:41
SPEAKER_00: Is it salt water?
15:42
SPEAKER_00: Is it freshwater?
15:43
SPEAKER_00: Are there lots of critters?
15:44
SPEAKER_00: Is there a snake?
15:46
SPEAKER_00: Yep, I have been on a few bodies of water with snakes, and I don't want to go too close, right?
15:52
SPEAKER_00: Are there a lot of people?
15:54
SPEAKER_00: Are there waves?
15:56
SPEAKER_00: Are there bigger watercrafts out there that I need to be aware of?
16:00
SPEAKER_00: And this, of course, well, I can't help but say, but self-awareness, right?
16:05
SPEAKER_00: It leads to self-discipline, it leads to compassion, it leads to wholehearted relationships that are thriving.
16:17
SPEAKER_00: So use awareness to make sure that you're going in the right direction, that you're not crashing into people, and that you're being safe in the process.
16:29
SPEAKER_00: Okay, number six.
16:32
SPEAKER_00: If you fall in as an if you get out of balance and you take that dunk in the water, be prepared.
16:42
SPEAKER_00: Good rule of thumb is if you're going to take anything valuable on that board with you, which I really don't recommend unless you're out alone in the middle of nowhere and you need to have your phone.
16:53
SPEAKER_00: Well, make sure it's in a waterproof, water safe, watertight pack kind of thing.
16:58
SPEAKER_00: And you don't need to throw in the airpads and the other camera and all these valuable, like your most expensive Yeti cooler.
17:08
SPEAKER_00: Be prepared that you might fall in.
17:11
SPEAKER_00: And so if that happens, you don't want to take anything too valuable with you or have it be in a safe place.
17:20
SPEAKER_00: This applies to so many things in our lives, right?
17:23
SPEAKER_00: It's to realize that we may get out of balance and out of sync sometimes.
17:27
SPEAKER_00: So be prepared.
17:29
SPEAKER_00: Have that margin, have that white space in your life.
17:32
SPEAKER_00: This is where community comes in and support, accountability, all those things.
17:36
SPEAKER_00: You will fall.
17:37
SPEAKER_00: There will be that moment.
17:39
SPEAKER_00: So what do you have in place that doesn't make that falling such a big deal?
17:45
SPEAKER_00: And in fact, you can just laugh at yourself.
17:48
SPEAKER_00: And then number seven, when you fall in, you can just get back up.
17:53
SPEAKER_00: Now, getting up for me back on the board after I've fallen, it's not the most graceful of experiences.
18:00
SPEAKER_00: And I don't want everyone to be looking at me, but it is really important that if you fall in, you go ahead and you get back up.
18:07
SPEAKER_00: And maybe you've been one who's been tentative to hop on the paddle board to begin with, and you weren't even sure about standing up.
18:14
SPEAKER_00: And sure enough, when you stand up, you fell in.
18:17
SPEAKER_00: Instead of going, well, I knew it, I couldn't do this.
18:20
SPEAKER_00: My encouragement to you is to get back up on that board and try at it.
18:26
SPEAKER_00: Okay, waves do make it harder, whether you're kayaking or paddleboarding, it's just gonna make it more challenging.
18:35
SPEAKER_00: And here's what you need to know: don't ignore the waves.
18:39
SPEAKER_00: You actually need to paddle into them, paddle through them.
18:44
SPEAKER_00: Okay, are you following me?
18:46
SPEAKER_00: Here's the deal.
18:48
SPEAKER_00: When I am paddleboarding and all of a sudden the waves come at me from my side, right or left, I am more likely to get knocked into the water.
18:57
SPEAKER_00: But if I am aware and I see those waves coming, I can turn the craft just so.
19:05
SPEAKER_00: So I am paddling straight into it, or it's coming up behind me, and I'm aware of the rhythm of the waves, and I ride them.
19:17
SPEAKER_00: I go along with them.
19:19
SPEAKER_00: And here's the deal, here's how I see that.
19:22
SPEAKER_00: Okay, waves, waves are life's hard things.
19:26
SPEAKER_00: It's when maybe things are more stressful.
19:28
SPEAKER_00: It doesn't have to be a tragic, a huge grief or loss or anything like that, but it's just when a lot of things are happening at once, maybe in your life, and you know it's a more stressful season because it's sports and graduation or back to college and back to school and a big work project.
19:46
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes things just happen all at once.
19:48
SPEAKER_00: The goal here is not to ignore it, but to paddle with it through it.
19:54
SPEAKER_00: Get your use your awareness to steer you just right and to be prepared.
20:01
SPEAKER_00: Have your white space, have your accountability, have your support team.
20:06
SPEAKER_00: Okay, number nine, the good part.
20:08
SPEAKER_00: There are times for sitting and resting.
20:11
SPEAKER_00: Yes, rhythms of grace to just take it in.
20:16
SPEAKER_00: Like that moment that I had you imagine your mind's eye.
20:19
SPEAKER_00: For me, the colors are turning on the leaves, and it's the, I don't know, like 7, 7:30 in the morning, not too early, but just as the sun is rising because the time has changed and the air is crisp and cool, but the sun makes your skin warm.
20:36
SPEAKER_00: And those are the moments when you can take in the beauty of your surrounding to sit and to rest.
20:43
SPEAKER_00: The idea of filling up before you go out.
20:47
SPEAKER_00: You know, sometimes we leak during the day, right?
20:51
SPEAKER_00: It's okay to take times during the day that pausing to sit and rest and to enjoy the moment to take it in.
21:00
SPEAKER_00: Okay, number 10.
21:01
SPEAKER_00: Here's a fun little Enneagram fact.
21:04
SPEAKER_00: And again, I'm not going to expand on it today.
21:06
SPEAKER_00: Talked about it a little bit during the summit, and you'll hear more from me.
21:10
SPEAKER_00: And you have heard some from me about this on social media.
21:14
SPEAKER_00: But did you know your personality type?
21:17
SPEAKER_00: Well, it does have two directions, the stress and growth.
21:22
SPEAKER_00: But you can also go both directions at different times.
21:27
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you can access the high side of both your lines of growth and stress.
21:34
SPEAKER_00: It's such a fascinating and cool revelation.
21:38
SPEAKER_00: I did kind of think as I was writing this episode, oh my goodness, maybe I need to do a series next year because, you know, I just love the whole being on the water thing.
21:49
SPEAKER_00: But what I think is really important to know when it comes to growth and to understand balance in your relationships and work and in your spiritual life.
22:00
SPEAKER_00: Your personality type can access the high side of both your stress and growth.
22:05
SPEAKER_00: Okay, number 11.
22:07
SPEAKER_00: Don't get distracted by the newest watercraft.
22:10
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I kind of maybe could sum this up as mindfulness and don't compare.
22:17
SPEAKER_00: We'll talk about more of that in a minute.
22:19
SPEAKER_00: But here's the deal: when I get on the water, I'm fascinated because there's always something new.
22:24
SPEAKER_00: There's a latest and greatest something.
22:26
SPEAKER_00: Someone has some new contraption, or they've maybe adapted something that's already out there and they're trying out new things.
22:33
SPEAKER_00: It can be really easy for me to think, oh, I should try that out.
22:38
SPEAKER_00: Oh, maybe that would be really cool to get.
22:40
SPEAKER_00: Oh, I wonder what that's like.
22:41
SPEAKER_00: Is that better than what I have?
22:43
SPEAKER_00: Okay, I think you know where I'm getting here.
22:46
SPEAKER_00: But just enjoy what you have right now, right?
22:48
SPEAKER_00: Grow in contempt and go, don't get distracted when you're out in the water about by all the newest things.
22:54
SPEAKER_00: Admire it for a minute and then get back to enjoy where you're at and your own balance.
22:59
SPEAKER_00: Don't get thrown off by those things.
23:03
SPEAKER_00: Number 12, there is no real contest, and faster doesn't matter.
23:10
SPEAKER_00: Embrace how you sub.
23:13
SPEAKER_00: All right.
23:14
SPEAKER_00: Embrace how you get on the water.
23:16
SPEAKER_00: Embrace how you balance.
23:18
SPEAKER_00: There really is no contest out there.
23:20
SPEAKER_00: It doesn't matter who gets to quote unquote the finish line first.
23:23
SPEAKER_00: There's actually no finish line.
23:25
SPEAKER_00: That's the crazy thing.
23:26
SPEAKER_00: Faster truly doesn't matter.
23:28
SPEAKER_00: I'm always amazed by when I get out there, there's tends to be one, two, maybe several people who are out there for a serious workout.
23:37
SPEAKER_00: Now, I think even like inflating the paddleboard is a workout in itself.
23:42
SPEAKER_00: So I'm not too worried about the workout.
23:44
SPEAKER_00: I get out there for fun, but there are people who are serious about it and it's their workout.
23:48
SPEAKER_00: So you could go faster.
23:51
SPEAKER_00: You could look cooler, trendier, but it doesn't matter.
23:57
SPEAKER_00: Just embrace your unique rhythm that you need, the balance that you need to implement in your life.
24:05
SPEAKER_00: Number 13.
24:06
SPEAKER_00: I did kind of hint at this before, but I'm inviting you to be all there.
24:11
SPEAKER_00: Unplug for just a little bit.
24:13
SPEAKER_00: And I get, if you're probably on the water day in and day out, maybe it's your only time to catch up on the podcast or you want to listen to music while you paddleboard or something like that.
24:23
SPEAKER_00: But for me at least, it's a perfect time to unplug, to not listen to a thing except for the sounds of life around me.
24:32
SPEAKER_00: And sometimes that's traffic.
24:34
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's a bird cry or call.
24:37
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's the water lapping against the board or aloud, sometimes obnoxious person in the background.
24:46
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it does happen on the water too.
24:48
SPEAKER_00: But but my encouragement is for you to be all there.
24:51
SPEAKER_00: Leave your phone if you can in the car or keep it in the water, sealed, watertight pouch and just take it in.
24:59
SPEAKER_00: Number 14, play hooky.
25:03
SPEAKER_00: Okay, true confessions.
25:05
SPEAKER_00: My kids don't usually listen to my podcast, and I don't know that my husband listens to every single episode because, well, he's got a lot of good things to listen to.
25:15
SPEAKER_00: But not too long ago, I had some big deadlines.
25:19
SPEAKER_00: But it had been a while since I had gotten on a board and I really needed a break.
25:24
SPEAKER_00: So I texted one friend, one friend knows this, and I said, I'm playing hooky.
25:30
SPEAKER_00: Don't tell my boss.
25:32
SPEAKER_00: So it wasn't a long paddle session, but it was just enough to have a little fun, be spontaneous, and just get out on the water and enjoy things again.
25:43
SPEAKER_00: So my advice to you, every once in a while, when your schedule just feels so slammed and that balance just continues to throw you off and you keep falling in the water, you might need to play hooky and go have some fun.
25:56
SPEAKER_00: All right, last but not least, it's really great to get to paddle or work with someone who knows what they're doing, or maybe even paddle in a community.
26:08
SPEAKER_00: Now, I'm newer to getting to paddleboard here in the Kansas City area.
26:13
SPEAKER_00: So I've only heard rumors, I'm not really joined anything yet, but that there are communities of paddleboarders who get together on the local lakes and they do this together.
26:23
SPEAKER_00: Now, sometimes it's super fun and the exact right thing for me to paddle alone and to have that solitude, right?
26:32
SPEAKER_00: It's really, really good.
26:33
SPEAKER_00: But it's also really great, I wouldn't have even known how to do the whole inflatable paddle boarding thing.
26:40
SPEAKER_00: I mean, there's so many things to it, of like how you clean it and store it, how you pump it up and the right kind of pumps and the right kind of board and how you paddle and all these different things.
26:50
SPEAKER_00: I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't had someone show me the ropes beforehand.
26:54
SPEAKER_00: If I didn't know someone who had done it, I don't know if I would have tried it.
26:59
SPEAKER_00: So I encourage you to, if you want to try something new or if you see someone who maybe might have some insight and how you can find that work-life balance or the correct rhythm that you really desire, go ask them.
27:18
SPEAKER_00: How do you do it?
27:19
SPEAKER_00: Or get a community that will help you.
27:22
SPEAKER_00: Okay, that was a lot of tips, but I hope that again, like I said, when you're in the messy middle and you just uh you feel so frustrated by this balance that you want to achieve and you can't quite find your rhythm.
27:35
SPEAKER_00: I want you to remember it's just that it is a rhythm.
27:39
SPEAKER_00: Work-life balance is not an achievement.
27:42
SPEAKER_00: Again, there's no finish line.
27:45
SPEAKER_00: You set limits and look after yourself.
27:49
SPEAKER_00: You can achieve a rhythm that suits your needs and your season of life.
27:57
SPEAKER_00: Okay, so before you go to go do your fun thing, or maybe you're gonna go try some paddling here before that season that is available to you ends, I want you to do a few things from here.
28:12
SPEAKER_00: First, pause and normalize.
28:16
SPEAKER_00: Again, just like I said out there on the board, you're not gonna feel balanced 24-7.
28:22
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes you're gonna have to paddle really hard to the right and then paddle really hard to the left in order to go forward and to find that forward motion.
28:31
SPEAKER_00: And sometimes you're gonna even have to paddle backwards to get headed exactly where you need to go.
28:37
SPEAKER_00: So pause and normalize.
28:38
SPEAKER_00: Again, feeling out of balance, it's just normal.
28:43
SPEAKER_00: And it's okay.
28:45
SPEAKER_00: Find the rhythm that you need to take forward motion in your life.
28:50
SPEAKER_00: All right, second, pay attention to your emotions.
28:53
SPEAKER_00: Be mindful of the moments, noticing them through your different senses.
28:58
SPEAKER_00: Because just being aware of what you're feeling.
29:02
SPEAKER_00: Is there an emotional spiral happening here?
29:04
SPEAKER_00: Am I anxious?
29:05
SPEAKER_00: Am I frustrated?
29:06
SPEAKER_00: Am I angry?
29:08
SPEAKER_00: Am I feeling a lack of self-confidence or even self-doubt and shame?
29:13
SPEAKER_00: This will maybe get you some balance to be aware of what is going on beneath the surface.
29:21
SPEAKER_00: How can you step out of that swirl?
29:25
SPEAKER_00: So that way you can at least write your craft or write your emotions in a way.
29:31
SPEAKER_00: Three, you might need to re-prioritize.
29:35
SPEAKER_00: You're not the only one who gets out of balance.
29:38
SPEAKER_00: We all take a dip in the water sometimes.
29:41
SPEAKER_00: You might just need to re-evaluate the metrics or the goals, or again, do I have some sort of finish line here that's really not for me?
29:52
SPEAKER_00: Am I thinking that I need to go faster and make this a really challenging time or more challenging than it needs to be?
30:01
SPEAKER_00: Okay, number four, consider your alternatives.
30:05
SPEAKER_00: I've given this tip a few times, but I'll say it again here fairly quickly.
30:10
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes you need to take the three Ds to your life.
30:13
SPEAKER_00: What do you need to delegate?
30:15
SPEAKER_00: What do you need to delete, and what do you need to delay?
30:20
SPEAKER_00: I'm constantly asking myself, sometimes every day for a couple weeks at a time.
30:26
SPEAKER_00: Delegate, delete, and delay.
30:29
SPEAKER_00: And last but not least, implement changes.
30:33
SPEAKER_00: When you've done all these things, you've paused and normalized, you've paid attention to your emotions, you've reprioritized, and you've considered the alternatives, and now you need to step it out.
30:44
SPEAKER_00: Set the limits, set your boundaries.
30:47
SPEAKER_00: And when you focus on what God has called you to do, what is your purpose, your passion, your people, then just do it to your best ability.
30:59
SPEAKER_00: It's not about perfection.
31:02
SPEAKER_00: Rather, a rhythm that brings a sense of peace and calm.
31:07
SPEAKER_00: And something that comparing to others or putting again some harsh matric on us will ever produce.
31:15
SPEAKER_00: So maybe it's the peace you're after, not the elusive balance that you have been striving for.
31:23
SPEAKER_00: Okay, my friend, I've given you a lot to think about.
31:27
SPEAKER_00: So I hope when things are feeling off kilter and you just can't find that rhythm, I hope you hop on the paddleboard in your mind's eye and remember some of these stories.
31:40
SPEAKER_00: And a quick note here: when this episode goes live, I'm opening up the doors to my wholehearted rhythms group for just a short window of time.
31:51
SPEAKER_00: Now, I've put a link here in the show notes, and either you'll be able to click through and find all the information, or you'll see a couple of links that will lead you to a wait list and I will be in touch.
32:04
SPEAKER_00: But it's a new way that I can maybe walk with you for a season of life.
32:10
SPEAKER_00: I can help you find those wholehearted rhythms that sync your personality, passions, and relationships to your chapter of life.
32:19
SPEAKER_00: Now, next week on the podcast, I have a very special episode with one of the best guests ever.
32:27
SPEAKER_00: I've only convinced him to come on the podcast once before.
32:30
SPEAKER_00: Well, technically, as a solo guest once before, and then he came with a group this last spring for the five-year anniversary of the podcast.
32:41
SPEAKER_00: But my husband, Spencer Wicks, Arborist Extraordinaire, we're going to talk about trees and the Enneagram.
32:50
SPEAKER_00: You guys, I'm so excited about this episode.
32:53
SPEAKER_00: It is really good and super just us.
32:57
SPEAKER_00: If you wanted some more behind the scenes look at my life and our marriage, well, this is a great episode for that.
33:04
SPEAKER_00: As with this episode, it felt perfect as the seasons change, right?
33:09
SPEAKER_00: We're finishing out summer and I just gave you my thoughts that I've really been mulling over all summer long.
33:15
SPEAKER_00: And next week we could just kind of step into fall.
33:19
SPEAKER_00: We notice trees more in the fall, right?
33:21
SPEAKER_00: If you're in a location that that really embraces all four seasons, well, you're getting ready for the brilliance of that fall change that we get to experience.
33:32
SPEAKER_00: So we're going to talk about trees, we're going to talk about our favorites, we're going to connect it to the Enneagram.
33:37
SPEAKER_00: It is so, so good.
33:38
SPEAKER_00: I can't wait to share it with you.
33:40
SPEAKER_00: So until next time, friend, continue to pursue God's perspective, purpose, and plans for your wholehearted life.