Productivity & Mindset

Category

November 11, 2022

Biblical Differences Between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset (With Bible Verses)

There are biblical differences between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. Although the phrase "growth mindset" never appears in Scripture, the Bible repeatedly teaches that God transforms His people through the renewing of the mind, spiritual maturity, perseverance, and faithful obedience. Throughout the Bible we see people who either resist God's work or embrace it. Whether you follow Jesus or are simply curious about what Scripture teaches, understanding the difference between a biblical growth mindset and a fixed mindset offers practical insight into how God develops His people over time.

November 7, 2022

How Social Media Quietly Steals Your Attention (And What to Do About It)

Social media isn't inherently good or bad. Like any powerful tool, it amplifies whatever habits we already have. It can help us stay connected, learn new ideas, grow a business, or encourage others. But it can also quietly consume our attention, distort our priorities, and become an escape from the life happening right in front of us. I know because I've experienced both sides. After spending years intentionally building a large online presence, I eventually realized the very tool that once helped me achieve my goals had become one of the biggest distractions from them.

November 5, 2022

Why You Keep Hitting the Same Setbacks in Life (And How to Break the Cycle)

Most people don't experience just one setback. They experience the same kinds of setbacks over and over again. Different jobs. Different relationships. Different goals. Yet somehow the same frustrations keep returning. We feel stuck, wonder why progress seems so difficult, and begin believing life is simply happening to us. Over the years, I've found it helpful to separate two ideas that often get lumped together: roadblocks and setbacks. They aren't the same thing, and understanding the difference changed how I approach problems, make decisions, and recover when life doesn't go according to plan. If we learn to recognize which challenges are standing in our way and which have already changed our circumstances, we can respond far more intentionally instead of simply reacting.

September 8, 2022

How to Audit Your Time and Stop Wasting Your Day

Most people know where their money goes. Far fewer know where their time goes. We finish a week wondering why we didn't exercise, spend more time with family, make progress on important goals, or accomplish what we intended. Yet when we look back, it's often difficult to explain exactly where the hours disappeared. The problem isn't always a lack of time. More often, it's a lack of awareness. One of the most effective ways to improve productivity, reduce distractions, and align your schedule with your priorities is surprisingly simple: conduct a time audit. For one week, track how you spend your time and compare your actions to what you say matters most. The results can be eye-opening.

May 6, 2022

3 Mindset Shifts That Made Me More Successful Over Time

Success is often portrayed as a dramatic breakthrough: a big promotion, a successful business launch, a published book, or a major financial milestone. In reality, most success is much quieter. It is built through small decisions repeated consistently over time. The willingness to keep going when progress feels slow. The ability to tolerate discomfort. The readiness to act when opportunities appear. Over the years, I've noticed three mindset shifts that repeatedly helped me make progress in my career, finances, personal goals, and creative pursuits. None of them are complicated, but each has proven surprisingly effective.

October 15, 2021

What Successful Children’s Authors Know About Writing, Rejection, and Creativity

Writing is often portrayed as a magical process fueled by inspiration and creativity. In reality, most authors spend far more time wrestling with self-doubt, revising imperfect drafts, managing rejection, and learning how to stay consistent when motivation fades. To better understand the realities of the writing life, six accomplished children's authors share insights into their creative process, writing habits, challenges, sources of encouragement, and proudest career moments. Their answers reveal common themes about persistence, creativity, community, and the mindset required to build a sustainable writing career. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a published author, or simply curious about the creative process, these lessons offer a valuable behind-the-scenes look at what it truly means to be an author.

December 1, 2020

How to Save and Earn More Money by Asking for It

Did you know a single question can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars? Over the years, I've negotiated lower prices, higher salaries, refunded fees, insurance settlements, and even major home improvement projects. None of these wins came from special negotiation tactics. They came from one simple habit: asking. Most people accept the first price, the first offer, or the first answer they receive. But the reality is that many prices, salaries, fees, and opportunities are far more flexible than they appear. In this article, I'll show you how a simple willingness to ask has saved my family money, increased my income, and opened doors that would have remained closed otherwise.

October 1, 2020

KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020My KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020 Entry (And the Meaning Behind the Poem)KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020

Writing prompts have a unique ability to unlock creativity when inspiration feels out of reach. Sometimes all it takes is a single image, question, or challenge to spark an idea that otherwise might never have appeared. Writing contests can be especially valuable because they encourage us to experiment, stretch our creative muscles, and create something within a specific set of constraints. In 2020, I participated in the KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy, a popular children's literature writing contest that challenged participants to create original pieces inspired by visual prompts. The result was a short poem titled Underneath the Costume Veil, which explores identity, self-doubt, self-acceptance, and the masks we sometimes wear to fit in. Below, you'll find the original contest entry along with information about the KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy and why writing prompts remain one of the best tools for overcoming creative blocks.