Just One Simple Thing Christa Hutchins

Have you ever thought about the difference between goals and priorities? Did you even recognize that there IS a difference? Join me in Episode 130 of Just One Simple Thing as we dive into this idea. We’ll talk about the difference, what happens when they are aligned, and what to do when they can’t be aligned. Shall we?

Hello, friends! Today, I want to loop you into a conversation that’s been happening in my membership, The Honor Circle, AND in some real life circles where I have been hanging out. It’s this idea of the difference between goals and priorities, and, specifically, what to do when your goals and priorities are not aligned.

Goals are the targets we set for our ministries or businesses.  They drive us forward, giving us purpose and direction. They are born out of the passion the Lord has given us for our message.

Life's priorities are the realities we face.  They often dictate how much time and energy we can devote to our goals. 

Aligning goals with life's priorities becomes a frustrating tightrope walk. You're torn between pursuing your dreams .... The dreams that God has given you ....and fulfilling your responsibilities, which have also been given to you by God. It's a dilemma many of us face, isn't it?

We can all agree that life is so much easier when our goals align with our priorities. We have clarity, balance, and consistent progress. But what do we do when our goals and life's priorities don’t match up?

First, we can practice patience and give ourselves grace.  It's okay to reassess our goals and adjust our expectations as life unfolds.

Secondly, we can embrace flexibility and creativity in our approach. 

Pro tip .... Keep a 20-minute List handy ... a list of quick but productive things you can knock out whenever you find a few unexpected minutes. You’ll find more ideas about this way back in Episode 11. It’s also something we work on in our monthly free Plan & Pray sessions.

And finally, let's prioritize self-care and rest.  It may sound funny to say I’m working hard to rest, but I know you other go-getter Jesus girls totally get it.

You’ll never NOT feel a little guilty that you aren’t doing more for this dream that God gave you, because there will ALWAYS be more to do. But when God called you to this dream, He also knew your priorities. 

ACTION STEP
Put a circle around the last Saturday of every month. That’s when we have our monthly Plan & Pray or Quarterly Strategic Planning sessions. Keep an eye on my email newsletter or social media to get connected.

Thank you for joining me today on Just One Simple Thing. If you have a friend who is also struggling with the balance between goals and priorities, please share this episode with her. You’ll be glad you did, and so will she.

RESOURCES
Episode 11 How to Make 10 Minutes Matter
Plan & Pray Facebook Group
Build A Better Quarter Strategic Planning sessions
Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?
If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time.  Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.
Click here for details!

Have you created your plan for this month?  How do you know if it’s a good plan, or a frustrating one that will keep you from moving forward?  In Episode 129 of Just One Simple Thing, I’m sharing the four things I look for when I review plans for my clients.
As I am recording this, we are at the start of the 2nd quarter of 2024. I can’t believe the first quarter is over! 
 In this quarter of the Honor Circle, we are going back to the basics of creating solid plans to move our goals forward. I just finished reviewing everyone’s plans and giving personal feedback. I thought it might be helpful to share with you guys what I look for when I review plans, and some of the feedback I’ve given. So you can review your own plans for the month 
Take a look at your plans for the month and
make sure your actions support your priorities The plan is not unnecessarily complicatedIt can actually all get done, and predecide what will drop off if things go haywireAnd your plan fits into your life and is it good for your life? ACTION STEP
Head over to my free Facebook Group, Plan and Pray with Do A New Thing, and grab my Monthly Plan worksheet. 
If you are unsure about your plans and want a professional review, I’d love to do that for you. Click here to sign up!  I’ll get personal feedback to you within 48 hours. 
 RESOURCES:
 Personal Plan Review sign up


Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?
If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time.  Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.
Click here for details!

You’ve heard the question before … you’ve probably asked it yourself.  If not now, when? But what are you really asking when you say that?  It could be one of three things, depending on where you are with your ministry or business.  In Episode 128 of Just One Simple Thing, we explore the rallying cry, the desperate prayer, and the honest question.

I know that stickers are a trendy marketing tool.  I found a great designer who gets my vibe and she’s developed a whole bunch of stickers for me.  Kelly was sharing some of her designs on social media and I saw one that I loved.  It said “If not now, when?” Kelly re-created that sticker in my brand colors, and I used it in a promotion at a conference last fall, and in the Do Your Thing retreat swag and at home boxes.

As I was handing out those stickers, it hit me that you could ask that question in a lot of different ways at different stages of your ministry or business.  And they are all ways that lead to a deeper understanding of God’s purpose in your current situation. 

“If not now, when?” can be a rallying cry, a desperate prayer, or an honest question.

First, a rallying cry.  When you first started, you may have asked the question then … if not now, when?  There’s no time like the present!  It motivates you to take those first actions that will lead to clarity in God’s calling.  If you aren’t careful, that rallying cry can carry an undertone of hustle culture. Like if you don’t do it right now, you’ll never have another chance, so sacrifice everything to follow this dream. 

And it can lead to the second way we think of this question.
A desperate prayer.  Lord, if not now, WHEN will you bring growth and success?  I see it happening for other people …. When is it going to happen for me?  Friend, if you are hearing those thoughts in your head right now, I want you to shut off your social media, close your laptop, and invite the Lord into those emotions. God definitely wants to use you.  He has gifted you with skills, abilities, resources, and a message that He wants to use in ways that maybe you haven’t imagined.  Sit with Him and let Him unfold that vision in your heart.  It may be more simple.  It may be more grand.  But you won’t know until you deal with those emotions with the Lord.

Then, you’ll be able to ask the honest question.  If not now, Lord, when?  What do you need to do in me before I can step into this calling?  Where do I need to grow? What do I need to learn? 

After evaluating it honestly, you may find that the when IS now.  It may be time to take that first step, or the next step towards the vision God has given you.  But you’ll be able to do it without the hustle or the desperation.

ACTION STEP
First, head over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing , and grab  your Honest Questions worksheet.  It will help you think through all those things I mentioned. 

And second, check out my group program, The Honor Circle.  In the program, you’ll be surrounded by other ladies with a dream that are honoring all the work that God has given them to do.  And they are working through these questions just like you are. You can learn all about it here.

Alright … that’s it for this week.  Can you believe we are almost through the first quarter of 2024?  It’s flying by. Be sure to invite some f
Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?
If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time.  Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.
Click here for details!

Hey there. my friends. Let’s dive deeper into this idea of community and see what happens when you connect with others on a deeper level, and how I have seen this play out in different parts of the Do A New Thing community.

1. Connections between networks.

Now y’all probably know by now that making connections between people is one of my favorite things. I love to connect one person’s need with another person’s solution. But I am only one person. In a thriving community, you get access to EVERYONE'S network.

2. Over-the-top promotion for your projects.

Most communities give you a chance to share about your latest work and people may check it out or make a comment or share it on their own social media to help you out. But in the very best communities, the support is over-the-top.

3. Community offers comfort and confidence.

Discouragement and loneliness come so easily in the online space. It's so hard to NOT look around and imagine lions surrounding you to take what you have you have given your heart and soul to gather.

In community, encouragement is more than just peppy words. It is heartfelt belief in you and your message that reaches to your very soul. Friendship is more than checking in on a Voxer group. It's praying for your deepest needs and asking God to unlock his big picture plan in you. We see this every month in our Plan & Pray sessions.

ACTION STEP:

Look in the communities that you are a part of. Is there someone there that you can bless with one of these unexpected benefits?

And if you aren’t part of this type of community yourself, reach out to me. Let’s talk about some of the ways you can connect with the Do A New Thing community. You can find the link to schedule a free call with me in the show notes.

RESOURCES:
Finding Home by Susan Macias
Empty Nest Awakening by Ruthie Gray
Schedule a call with me
Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?
If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time.  Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.
Click here for details!

Can an email list become a community? You bet it can! In Episode 126 of Just One Simple Thing, you’ll learn how you can transform your email list into a vibrant community that nurtures, supports, and inspires.

Welcome back, friends! In the last episode, we talked about some ways that you can promote your email opt-in freebie. But once you’ve had some people jump at the chance to get their hands on your valuable resource, what do you do with them? How do you develop the relationships that turn freebie-seekers into connected community-members?

 I have some ideas for you, but before we dive in, let's ground ourselves in the Word. In Romans 12:5 (NIV), Paul reminds us, "so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This simple truth highlights the community and belonging we all want to see within our online ministries and businesses, and gives us clues on how to foster it.

Your email subscribers are more than just names on a list; they're individuals wanting connection, guidance, and encouragement.
 
Here are some practical steps to turn your email list into a thriving community:

Step 1: Personalize Your Communication
When crafting your emails, try to create authenticity and personal connection. Address your subscribers by their first names.  share personal stories, insights, and struggles from your own journey.

Step 2: Foster Engagement
Encourage interaction and dialogue by asking questions, inviting feedback, and sparking discussions within your emails.  When they feel heard and valued, they're more likely to engage and connect with you and each other.

Step 3: Create Exclusive Content and Offers
Make your email subscribers feel special by offering exclusive content, resources, or discounts that aren't available elsewhere. By providing unique value, you strengthen the bond between you and your community members.

Step 4: Facilitate Connection
Facilitate opportunities for your subscribers to connect with each other.
Consider creating a private Facebook group or other online space where they can share ideas, offer support, and collaborate on projects.

Step 5: Cultivate a Culture of Encouragement
Strive to cultivate a culture of encouragement, positivity, and love within your community.  By being the hands and feet of Jesus in your interactions, you create a safe and nurturing space where women can flourish and grow together. 

Remember, building a community takes time and patience. Be consistent in your efforts, stay true to your values and your voice, and trust God to work through your ministry or business to touch the lives of others.

ACTION STEP
Review your email communication strategy. How can you incorporate more personalization, engagement, and exclusivity to foster a deeper sense of community among your subscribers? Choose one practical step to implement this week and watch as your community grows and flourishes.

And if you aren’t already on my email list, you can join today to see all of these things in action. Just go to doanewthing.com/podcast and you’ll find a place to sign up. I’d love to have you as part of the community.

RESOURCES:
Plan and Pray Facebook Group
Sign up for my email list here
Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?
If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time.  Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.
Click here for details!

Are you getting email sign ups from your subscriber opt-in freebie? You put a lot of work into it and it helps your audience solve a problem. But if you want to actually get people to sign up for it, you need to treat it like the valuable resource it is and give it a proper launch. Stay tuned for Episode 125 of Just One Simple Thing where you’ll learn four ways you can launch your subscriber freebie.

I think we’ve all been convinced of the importance of growing an email list, especially if you are not too keen on using social media to promote your ministry or business. But I often hear from people who say they have created an amazing subscriber freebie but no one is signed up for it.

Crafting a great opt-in freebie and creating an easy, reliable way for people to sign up for it is only the first step. In order to actually get people to sign up, you have to treat it like the valuable product it is and give it a proper launch. Here are my best tips for launching your subscriber opt-in freebie.

1. Find your launch team

Prayerfully select a few people and ask them to help you promote your new freebie.
Send them a copy and ask them to help promote it. One fun way to do this is to line up a newsletter swap. You promote their freebie in your newsletter and they promote yours in their newsletter.

Make it easy for them to promote for you. Give them the URL where people can sign up, and one or two square graphics they can use. The easier you make it, the more willing they will be to help.

2. Send it to your current subscribers

Your subscribers have entrusted you with their email address and invested in your ministry or business. You should treat them like gold, because they are. Always send any new freebies to them first.  You can incentivize them to share by offering a special bonus.   

3. Mention your freebie in your social media and guest post bios

Sometimes we spend too much effort in our bios telling people what we do, instead of giving them an opportunity to experience a taste of it themselves. Your new opt-in freebie should be mentioned in your social media bio with a link to opt in.

4. Promote your freebie on social media

Create a couple of Instagram and Facebook posts about your amazing freebie and schedule them out over the next few weeks.  Schedule your promos once a week for the first month, then once a month for a few months after.

ACTION STEP
Choose just one of these ideas and use it to promote your opt-in freebie. Hint: The easiest one is to send it to your current subscribers and incentivize them to share it. If you post about your freebie on social media, be sure to tag me @doanewthing so I can share it for you!

You worked hard creating something special for your audience. Now it is time to get it in their hands! I hope this episode made it easier for you to do that. Join me back here  for the next episode, where we will talk about turning those subscribers into a community.

RESOURCES
You can see the Facebook ad for my subscriber freebie here!


Did last month get away from you with little progress on your plans?
If only someone could make sure you are working on the right things at the right time.  Let me review your plan for the month and give you personal feedback, just like my one-on-one clients get. It's the most cost-effective way to get personal coaching and feel confident in taking your next steps.
Click here for details!