by kathilipp | Apr 5, 2016 | Podcast, Praying God's Word, tips and ideas |
We all face challenges to get our Quiet Time in each day and we feel un-Christian that we struggle in this area, but what if we could set ourselves up for success ahead of time? What if the key was to declutter a quiet time space so it was an inviting place to go to each day already prepared with the tools we need?
Creating a routine is so important because when you do that you are telling your brain, your heart, your mind, your body it’s time to settle and focus on my quiet time. It’s time to focus on the Bible, scripture, and prayer time.
In this episode, I talk with Erin about the essentials I need to make Quiet Time a daily habit. You can download the Essential Quiet Time Checklist for Success below and be on your way as well!
Mentioned in this episode: Peel Off Lip Gloss
FREE DOWNLOAD
Download the checklist to set up your quiet time space.
by kathilipp | Mar 28, 2016 | tips and ideas |
According to US Small Business Association, over half of all businesses are based out of the owner’s home. However, not all of those businesses are healthy, life-giving enterprises. What does it take to build a healthy home-based business? Give yourself a check-up with these 7 Vital Signs of a Healthy Home-Based Business:
1. Values
- What is my ‘Why’?
- Does it connect to one of my passions?
- How would it effect me if I could no longer do this work?
- How does my work make me feel?
- Am I frustrated or fulfilled by my work?
2. Goals
- Do I have both long-term and short-term goals?
- Are they written down and placed where I see them often?
- Do I make big goals or easily attainable goals?
- Do I use my goals as filters for my decisions?
3. Workflow
- In my line of work, what does success look like?
- What is my process from the beginning to the identified success?
- Am I flexible and willing to change the way I do things?
- Are there areas in which I could be more efficient?
4. Finances
- Do I have a business plan and budget?
- Do I follow said budget?
- Am I paying bills and filing taxes on time?
- Do I need outside help with financial issues?
- Am I using credit responsibly?
5. Clientele
- Are my clients pleased with my products and/or services?
- Do clients refer me to others?
- Do I have a way for clients to evaluate my work?
- Where can I improve my process or product to make sure that my client is completely satisfied with the work I do?
6. Family
- How does my work contribute to family life?
- How is my work a detriment to family life?
- Do I need to ease up on what I commit to?
- What are my kids learning through my work?
- How can I involve them more?
- How does my spouse or significant other feel about my work?
- Does my work drain me or energize me to be with my family?
7. Development
- What are my top strengths?
- What is my strategy for investing in my own professional growth?
- Where can I find resources that will help me grow?
- What conference might I attend this year?
- What book(s) might help me take my work to the next level?
- Am I willing to network?
- Am I willing to be coached on maximizing my strengths and working around my weaknesses?
Make a quarterly appointment with yourself to run though this check-up!
What other “vital signs” of a healthy home-based business would you add?
by kathilipp | Feb 23, 2016 | Blog, Me, tips and ideas |
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
~ Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
I’ve never really paid attention to Leap Days in the past. Oh sure, I’ve watched the Amy Adam’s movie. And when I was eight, I fantasized about asking David Cassidy to marry me, and him not being able to say no. (Oh, and I would have taken Shaun, in a pinch. I wasn’t fussy.)
And when I was younger, and in a job I hated, I resented the extra day of work. Couldn’t we just leave February with 28 days and be done with it?
But now, I’m looking at this extra day as a bonus. Oh sure, work still needs to be done and errands run, but there is something inside of me that longs to do something different: to take this bonus day and refuse to let it march by.
In sixth grade, our teacher, Mrs. Lawrence, had us write letters to our future, eighteen-year-old selves. I was so surprised to get that letter from my parents. It was full of hope and excitement from eleven-year-old me, and it served as a reminder at eighteen, when I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as I was making decisions about my future. I’d learned a lot, I had a lot of people in my life who loved me, and that I had a great capacity for hope.
So I’m going to recapture a little of that this Leap Day.
I’m going to send my future self a letter. My Leap Day 2020 (doesn’t that sound so futuristic, like we’ll all be flying around in cars that year?) self.
This will not be a list of goals that I should have accomplished, but a list of things that I’m learning. My hopes and my dreams.
Things I’m planning on including:
- Bible verses that are meaningful to me this year.
- The way I feel about my relationship with Roger.
- Why I’m proud of my kids.
- My thoughts about how I’m growing as a person, and where I hope to be in 2020.
- Who I hope I’m growing into.
No – it’s not a list of goals, but it is some ideals that I want to become. I know, that just by writing them down, I have a much greater chance of seeing them realized than if I just keep them in my head.
I don’t know how this is going to turn out. It could be a colossal waste of time. Or it could just turn out to be something pretty fantastic.
If this is something you want to try, head on over to https://www.futureme.org/ and write yourself a letter. And perhaps let your kids write one too. How fun would that be?
Give your future self something to look forward to.
Speaking of giving yourself something to look forward to…
Have you gotten a ticket to an upcoming Finally Clutter Free event yet? I’ll be in Merced, CA this weekend and Modesto, CA on March 5.
Get more information and links to get your tickets here.
by kathilipp | Jan 27, 2015 | Clutter Free, Podcast, Relationships, The Husband Project, tips and ideas |
You hardly have time to eat or shower… how are you supposed to have time for sex?
Are you ready for a clutter free romance?
Our new series of books, “Hot Mama,” was written just for busy women like you—women who want fulfilling, intimate and hot sex lives without all of the clutter that makes our marriages ho-hum. And to kick it off, we’re talking about decluttering your life to make room for… sex. Listen and hear how to:
- Keep your bedroom a place that’s romantic and sexy, not depressing and cluttered.
- Find room in your busy schedule for sex and intimacy.
- Making sure your lingerie drawer is full of cute things.
- Make room in your life for all of the flirty fun things that happen in a marriage. (And find out exactly what Kathi is talking about when she says “her salad kit.”)
When you’re done, head over to http://www.kathilipp.com/fridaynightlights to sign up to get a free sex tip delivered to your inbox every Friday for ten weeks to help you keep your sex life fun, fulfilling and yes, even hot.
And here’s a link to the body lotion that’s mentioned in the podcast: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Orange Ginger Energy Body Lotion! You don’t want to miss that part of the show!
Erin MacPherson lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Cameron, her sons Joey and Will and her daughter Kate. She is the author of “The Christian Mama’s Guide Series“, a staff writer for Dun & Bradstreet and a freelancer for publications like Thriving Family Magazine, MOPS MomSense, FamilyLife Magazine, Daily Guideposts and BEMag. She blogs about her life, her kids and her faith at ChristianMamasGuide.com.
by kathilipp | Jan 8, 2015 | Praying God's Word, Relationships, tips and ideas |
Harvest House, my publisher for Happy Habits for Every Couple, is doing a “New Year, New You” promotion and they’ve included my book in it!
From January 6 – 14, Happy Habits for Every Couple will be $9.99 for the ebook version. This is such a great deal!
You can purchase it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Google Play or Kobo.
Not familiar with the book? Here’s what it’s all about:
When was the last time you flirted with your husband? Was it before you had kids? Do you spend more time on the couch with your wife watching movies or with a bag of chips watching The Game? Does your idea of a hot date include a drive-thru and springing for the extra-large fries? What would your marriage look like if for 21 days you turned your attention to happy habits that will better your relationship? Plenty of books describe how to improve a marriage, how to save a marriage, even how to ramp up intimacy in a marriage. In Happy Habits for Every Couple, Kathi Lipp and husband Roger show you practical, fun-filled ways to put love and laughter back into your marriage. Here are just a few of the results you’ll see when you put Happy Habits for Every Couple into practice: new levels of warmth and tenderness in your relationship; a deeper sense of security with your spouse; and a marriage filled with fun and flirting.
If you haven’t given up the dream of being head-over-heels with your spouse again, following this 21-day plan will give you just the boost you need to bring you closer together.
Why not start today creating some new and happy habits?
Are you ready to be Clutter Free? Start the 21-Day Clutter Free challenge! Sign up now!
