E12: Turn the busy life into the simple life

Life is hard! It’s chaotic and sometimes the ongoing chaos can cause us to feel unwell. Today’s podcast details my recent struggles as a pregnant mom and how I plan to create order where I can, while still accepting the things I cannot change. Though we can’t always change our emotions, we can change some things around us. We can bring order out of chaos, develop healthy routines and habits, and utilize rest and reflection to recenter ourselves. 

In today’s episode:

How to get your head above the weeds

Routines are helpful habits

Organize your day - block scheduling

Don’t neglect to care for yourself

Reflection and trusting in God

To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita
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This is part 2 of 2. After part 1, where I shared many points of caution about heedless pursuit of passion, this week I encourage you to follow your dreams! Be inspired to think big. We cover how to embrace failure, avoid the pitfalls of self-sabotage, how to look for opportunities in unlikely places, and why validation is a tricky thing.

In this episode:

The intersection of passions, gifts, and opportunities

Be flexible with how you find opportunities

Overcoming the things that stop you

Don’t look for validation

Redefine success

To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
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Have you ever been told to pursue your passions, no matter what? When we make passions our primary pursuit, we often end up chasing a fleeting thing. Before doing so, we need to make sure we are grounded in who we are, content with where we are, and know why we want to pursue our passions. Furthermore, we need to consider if we could become passionate about the opportunities in front of us - where we are already at - before we pursue the next best thing.

In today's episode:

Work shouldn't be your primary source of passion and fulfillment

How does contentment relate to passion?

Understand who you want to become first

Discern your "why's"

To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
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This is my 3rd pregnancy in 3 years so I know what it’s like to be heavier and struggle to dress my body. But I refuse to hide it and remain uncomfortable in it, despite how my weight has fluctuated. It’s common to feel uncomfortable in your own skin for various reasons and the solution is deeper than just “loving your body.” It takes a mindset shift toward treating yourself well, instilling healthy habits, choosing positive self-talk, and allowing yourself to dress in clothes that make you feel good. 

In today’s episode:

I’m pregnant again!

Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin

The solution isn’t loving your body

Treat yourself well

Instill healthy habits

Positive self-talk

Dress in clothes that fit

To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
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Do you carry your phone with you everywhere? Phones can be helpful and necessary but many of us are addicted to them, treating them more like security blankets than the tools that they are. We let them interrupt us constantly and take us away from our priorities. Today we will discuss how to break the screen addiction so we can bring focus back to what matters most to us.

In today’s episode:

Why phones are so disruptive

Set boundaries with your phone

Behavioral shifts to break the phone addiction

How to balance necessary screen time with unnecessary screen time


To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
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I realized that, after 13 episodes of this podcast, it might not be evident to everyone what I mean when I say “uncommon life.” Where did that term come from and what could it mean for you?

In today’s episode:

Understanding your “Whys”

Finding your purpose

Living a purpose-driven life

Make your time reflect your priorities

Don’t look for validation

The only expectations that matter are your own

To read the transcript, please visit my website at www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Everyone - even moms - should feel confident to think big about their dreams and aspirations. Too often, we limit our potential and assume we’ll fail before we even start or that our dreams don’t matter. But even the most successful people fail! The key is to start with small, achievable steps, so you can learn to manage failure well along your journey to your big dream.

This is another “Lesson from a Corporate Life.” The other episodes in this series are episodes 2, 4, and 11.

In today’s episode:

What does it mean to “think big?”

Develop your vision or dream

The power of vulnerability

How to start small

Failure is just a matter of perspective

To read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita

 Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

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Americans are obsessed with being busy. We wear our busyness like a badge of honor - as an outward sign of productivity and self-worth. To what end, though? If busyness is preventing you from being the kind of person you want to be, how can you put an end to it and start living more intentionally? 

In this episode:

American obsession with busyness

We are busy but not always productive

How I overcame my busyness

Why simplicity is the solution

Log your time - where does it go?

How to be more intentional with your time

End the addiction to your phone


To read this podcast transcript, please head to my website: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita

 Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

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Working from home is more common than ever, so the lines between work and home life can easily become blurred. It’s up to you to unapologetically protect yourself and set clear expectations with strong work boundaries. After 12 years in corporate America, including several years in leadership positions, I have developed no-conflict tactics to set boundaries that maintain my sanity while still enabling me to be a good employee. 

This is part of a series called “Lessons from a corporate life.” The other episodes in the series are episode 2 and 4. 

In this episode:

Work doesn’t care about you
Why guilt prevents you from setting boundaries
Do not apologize
Avoid establishing bad precedents
Set digital boundaries
Take sick and vacation days
Set up a physical office space
Be objective, clear, and consistent

To read the podcast transcript, visit my website at: https://www.youruncommonlife.com/blog/categories/podcast-transcripts

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita

 Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Meet this week's guest, Sammantha Stone, as she shares her infertility journey. She is boldly vulnerable about the toll it has taken on her mental health and her marriage. And yet, she holds an inspiring hope for the future, grounded in faith. Even if you can't relate to her unique circumstances, I bet you can relate to her heart. I hope you're as encouraged by her story as I was!

In today's episode:

How she learned her husband had male factor infertility
Shame and feeling alone
Mental health and hormones
Having hope through the journey
How faith carries her through storms
Mourning her former self
Writing intentions and journaling
You are not alone

Motivational Piano Background Music by Nikita Lukyanov | https://soundcloud.com/lukyanovnikita

 Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

 Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US