#252: Little Tweaks, Big Results (Mentoring Moment)

Welcome to Kingdom Writers, where we help equip and empower Christian writers of all genres to share your unique gifts with the world. We're your hosts, C.J. and Shelley Hitz.

This podcast is filled with spiritual encouragement as well as prayers to help you overcome the resistance you face as a writer. Your story matters.

Welcome back to this week's mentoring moment. My name is Shelly Hitz, and I'm here with my husband, C.J.

Hey, friends.

And today we're talking about how little tweaks can yield big results. So sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest impact. Right? Think mosquito.

But I think we often assume that to change our lives, we. We need to do something big, but we don't. Implementing small habits consistently over time is what truly changes our lives. So I want to ask you today, where are you stuck? Where do you need a change? What area of your life do you want to see progress? What goal do you want to reach? Personally, CJ and I live and we work and in a small condo. And we have to utilize our space really wisely. Right now we're recording in the corner of our living room. Right, C.J.

Hey, whatever works.

Yeah, and it does. It works. But I'm always looking for ways to clean out or organize to create more margin in our physical space. One area that we really haven't fully utilized is in the eight years that we've lived in this condo complex is our back balcony. We live on the second floor and we just have this kind of small balcony, but it can fit like a bistro table, you know, one of those small tables and an umbrella with a couple chairs. And we've had our table and chairs for eight years, but I've rarely used the umbrella. So this year I decided to start using it more, which it allows me to sit out on the back balcony during the heat of the day when the sun is strongest. And I still can have nice shade. So it's been so life giving for me. And I've taken my laptop out there and I've worked on certain days, I've taken breaks during my workday just to sit on the balcony and enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors. We've even eaten a few meals out there. But that one super small step of using my umbrella has brought so much joy into my life. And ultimately it's helped me to be more productive as well. But we can't give from an empty cup. You know, it's not selfish to be intentional about doing things that make you come alive. It will help you show up in the world in an even better way. Plus, as writers, we need to continually fill our creative well with inspiration. Many times the things that fill us up allow us to become better writers. So have you filled your creative well recently? If not, I recommend creating a joy list. What is a joy list? A joy list is a list of things that make you come alive and and bring you joy and contentment. They do not need to make money or change the world. If they bring you joy, then they have value. So as we close, I have three action steps for you. Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes and create your joy list. I've shared mine and give you some ideas on one of my blog posts. You can find it at trainingauthors.com or joy list4writers action step number two do one thing on your joy list today. It doesn't have to be big. You know, it can be sitting with a cup of tea or a cup of coffee with your loved one or listening to music or I mean, it can be anything. But step number three. Try to implement something on your joy list at least once a week or even daily if you're able. So I hope you'll take a few minutes to brainstorm your joy list and then start doing more of the things that make you come alive. I really believe it will make a difference in your writing this year. So, cj, why don't you close in prayer?

Father, we just thank you first of all for the joy that we found in Christ and that's enough joy for eternity. And I just pray that each of us would be able to tap into.

The the ways that you bring joy to us. I just pray that each person would have no shortage on their list of things that bring joy. And I pray that each of us would be able to practice the things on that joy list that you'd bring those things to our minds. We know that you bring us so much joy. And we know that that you have joy as you watch us enjoy things and it brings you joy in your heart. And I just ask, Lord, that each of us would really be able to have those things that we can always run to that that do bring joy. And we thank you for the writers that are listening in. We pray that you would actually fill them with joy as they write. I pray that you give them inspiration, creativity, and that they'd never be lacking in words that glorify you. And we'll give you the glory and the honor for all that you do through us. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. And if you do create a joy list, take a picture and tag us in your Instagram stories or on Facebook. We are hristianbook Academy on both Facebook and Instagram. We would love to see you taking action and cheer you on and we will see you next time.

Bye Bye Bye.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Kingdom Writers. We believe that you, as a Christian writer, have a specific role to play in the Kingdom of Heaven to impact lives for eternity.

And because of this, we choose to pour out our lives into encouraging writers like you to not only tell your stories, but to take the courageous step of self publishing your stories in books that will outlive you and leave behind a powerful legacy. This podcast is sponsored by Christian Book Academy where we help you give birth to your books. We invite you to join our community of Kingdom Writers.