Learn | Do | Become

It’s always fun to hear from our community members, and in this episode, we’re sharing an interview that Coach Jill did with one of our STEP Mastery members, Emily. Some takeaways and Q&A can be found below!

Key Takeaways:

Q&A Summary

(Responses have been paraphrased.)

Introduction and Background

Jill: When did you first hear about LearnDoBecome?

Emily: Around 2011 or 2012 when it was called “Mind Organization for Moms” through April’s Power of Moms podcast. A friend recommended it, knowing Emily was struggling with managing multiple roles in her life.

Jill: What pain points were you experiencing when you first discovered the system?

Emily: Despite being naturally organized with planners since high school, Emily struggled when juggling marriage, children, home ownership, church volunteering, and starting a business. The biggest challenge was not having long blocks of time as a mom and wanting to be present with her children without the mental “buzz” of pending tasks.

Evolution of Emily’s STEP System

Jill: How has your STEP system evolved over the years?

Emily: Emily described three versions of her system. Version 1.0 (2011-2012) was her initial implementation. Version 2.0 (2016-2017) came after moving to a new home, when she joined STEP Mastery and implemented the Freedom Filer system. Version 3.0 (recent) involved shifting from paper to digital systems after falling off the wagon while focusing on her coaching business and podcast. She realized her digital life needed digital systems.

Jill: What tools do you use to manage your routines and projects?

Emily: Emily now uses Apple Reminders for her Context Based Next Actions Lists, projects, and routines. She was inspired by seeing another member’s digital Command Central and realized having her system on her phone would allow her to manage it throughout the day rather than only during weekly office sessions.

Impact and Benefits

Jill: What changes have you experienced mentally, emotionally, and physically with your system?

Emily: The biggest shift has been saying no to feeling hurried and behind. Emily set an intention to stop hurrying through life, which led her to STEP Momentum. Her Command Central has given her contentment and clarity about what she’s doing each day, allowing her to confidently schedule projects for appropriate times without rushing.

Jill: Have people in your immediate circle noticed changes in you?

Emily: Her husband has noticed she’s more consistent with personal routines, creating a calmer atmosphere in their home. She’s also implementing more systems for the family, like dating leftovers with post-it notes and creating mail processing routines.

Practical Implementation

Jill: How has daily processing affected your Weekly Review?

Emily: Previously, Emily’s Weekly Reviews became overwhelming 3-hour sessions that included processing email and paper, which became discouraging. Now, with daily processing, her inbox rarely contains papers, and her email is already managed. This makes Weekly Reviews lighter, clearer, and more enjoyable, giving her a “dopamine hit” rather than dread.

Jill: What new routines have made the biggest difference?

Emily: Processing mail and packages daily has been transformative. She moved her mail station to the kitchen with tools attached to the wall with command strips, making it easy to process everything daily. She also mentioned implementing new routines gradually by adding them to her calendar until they become habits.

Advice for Others

Jill: What would you say to someone who thinks they could never be organized?

Emily: Emily believes the STEP system can serve any personality type because the principles can be applied in infinite ways. The program allows for personalization—paper or digital, structured or loose. The 10-minute microburst approach makes it accessible to everyone, allowing people to progress at their own pace, whether completing it in 3 weeks or over a year.

Jill: Any final thoughts to share?

Emily: Emily highlighted how she’s using the “waiting” feature more than expected in Apple Reminders, moving tasks there when waiting for responses. She emphasized that breaking large projects into 10-minute chunks makes anything achievable. She appreciates that STEP shows how great accomplishments are really just combinations of small actions.

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Thank you, Emily, for sharing your experiences with us and being a member of the STEP Mastery Community!

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Fun (and Totally Free!) Training Recording: Clear The Space – LIVE!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

It’s always fun to hear from our community members, and in this episode, we’re sharing an interview that Coach Jill did with one of our STEP Mastery members, Yaisa. Some takeaways and Q&A can be found below!

Key Takeaways:

Q&A Summary

(Responses have been paraphrased.)

Introduction to LearnDoBecome

Jill: How did you first hear about LearnDoBecome?

Yaisa: It was a “godsend find” during a difficult work contract where she was frequently overwhelmed to tears. She found the free webinar online while searching for solutions, and she took a leap of faith once she heard about the formal STEP program. Within two weeks of implementing the system, she felt more in control at work. The chaos remained, but she had a system to manage it, which helped her reclaim her power and peace.

Customization of the STEP System

Jill: Have you tried any type of organizational methods in the past?

Yaisa: Yes, but nothing as complete as the STEP system. Previous methods were too “gimmicky” with nice catchphrases but little implementation guidance. She appreciates that STEP provides a complete system while allowing for customization. Her natural tendency is to keep things minimal, so she removed elements that didn’t fit her personality while keeping the core principles. She hasn’t found another program that is as complete and has the same human touch.

Personal Impact of the STEP System

Jill: What have you noticed about yourself now versus your pre-STEP self?

Yaisa: She now has brain capacity to be creative and pursue other interests. Her work Command Central allows her to completely shut down work at the end of the day and be present at home, knowing exactly where to pick up the next day. Her relationships have improved as well! She no longer thinks about work on weekends because she dumps her entire brain into her Command Central on Fridays.

Yaisa also shared how she created a specialized Command Central when her father needed emergency surgery. She created a digital notebook to track medical information and shared digital lists with her brother to delegate tasks. This allowed her to manage her father’s care, her full-time job, and her home responsibilities simultaneously.

Favorite STEP Tools

Jill: Is there anything in particular as far as all the tools that make up the system that are especially near and dear to your heart?

Yaisa: Projects was the tool that unlocked so much for her. Before understanding the concept of projects, she kept many multi-step tasks as single items and never completed them. Once she understood projects, she realized how much of her life consists of projects. The term “project” has become a word of freedom for her, helping her break down overwhelming tasks and sometimes recognizing when emotional healing is needed before a task can be completed.

Advice for New Members

Jill: What encouraging words would you say to somebody who maybe is new to us, or debating joining?

Yaisa: For those on the fence, she says “look no further” and recommends investing in STEP Mastery if possible because the community is amazing. For those just starting, she advises believing that the system works and giving yourself “unlimited permission to customize everything to fit the amazing person that you are.”

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Thank you, Yaisa, for sharing your experiences with us and being a member of the STEP Mastery Community!

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Fun (and Totally Free!) Training Recording: Clear The Space – LIVE!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

Before we jump into the show notes, I wanted to give you a quick reminder to check out the related links (at the bottom of the page) for extra support and resources.

In this episode, I share five things I am doing in my own life to simplify the holidays and use STEP principles to keep things organized, peaceful, and meaningful.

I know that the holidays can feel vastly different for every member of our community, and I want to recognize that in the midst of festive decorations and busy end-of-year schedules, there are sometimes difficult health, financial, mental, relationship, and personal struggles going on behind the scenes. My hope is that you can listen in, take what fits your season, and adapt it in a way that works for you.

(1) Keeping a Small and Meaningful Routines List

One thing that has made a huge difference for me is having a very small Routines List of things that MUST happen each year at this time. Sometimes we do not realize how many routines we already have going on in the background and how that can limit the number of new projects we can realistically take on.

One of my favorite yearly routines is making an ornament for my children. It is something my family did growing up, and it matters a lot to me. I set a calendar reminder in October to remind me to add “Make a yearly ornament with kids” onto my Current Projects List. This helps me not only remember that I want to accomplish this project, but it also helps me not take on too many additional projects during this time of year.

As I go through my Routines List, I try to notice what could be streamlined or delegated and what might not actually be essential. Keeping that list small gives me breathing room so I can enjoy the things that matter most. I usually only keep two to four current projects on my plate at one time, and that has been such a game changer. The whole idea is that when I am realistic with my routines, I can be more thoughtful about what I add in as holiday projects.

(2) Being Minimal With Decorations

This year, I decided to keep decorations really minimal. We have one storage box of Christmas decorations, and in past years I used most of what was inside. But with a two year old who can now reach every surface and a six month old who needs a lot of our attention, I knew that bringing everything out would just create stress for me. It felt so freeing to give myself permission to pull out only a few things. We set up our little nativity, put the wreath on the front door, and added a couple ornaments to the tree. About 70 to 80 percent of everything else stayed in the box.

It felt so nice to look honestly at our season of life and think, “Let’s keep this simple!” Instead of stressing about fragile decorations or how to keep things from getting knocked over, I could just enjoy the small touches we set out. I know a lot of people in our LearnDoBecome community have said they appreciate being given “permission” to simplify, so if that helps you, consider this your green light. You really can tailor the holidays to what feels manageable.

(3) Moving Certain Projects Between “Current” and “In Progress” Lists

Another big part of my holiday planning is our family trip to Utah. Since we live in Iowa, travel is not simple, especially with two little kids. We bought our flights back in July when there was a really good sale, and ever since then, this project has moved between my Current Projects List and my In Progress/Waiting List. It was helpful to keep a digital project in Asana where I could jot down anything that came to mind, from packing lists to ideas of things I wanted to do with family.

I loved having one safe place for all those thoughts. I never felt pressure to finish the whole project at once. I just worked on it when it made sense. When October came, I pulled it back onto my Current Projects List, took care of a few things, and then moved it back to Waiting until I needed to focus on it again. Being able to shift projects around like that has been one of my favorite parts of using STEP. It removes the guilt and pressure that can build up when a project spans several months.

(4) Doing Neighbor Gifts Early

I decided to make simple gifts for neighbors and friends well before the holidays. Part of that was because many people around us travel for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I wanted to make sure we could see them before everyone left. But honestly, another big reason was that I needed a creative outlet. Adjusting to life with two young kids is wonderful, but it has also been demanding, and having a small project to work on felt fun and grounding.

We finished the gifts last week, before Thanksgiving, and it feels so nice to know that they are done. If anyone listening feels “behind” this year, that it is completely okay! You can always make a note for next year to adjust your approach when it comes to planning so that you can work on things a little earlier in the season. Please give yourself grace and know that there is absolutely no expectation to have everything perfectly planned out and finished ahead of time. For example, I was so sick last year while pregnant and dealing with some other serious health issues. The holidays were really hard and it was difficult to feel joyful and excited when I just wasn’t feeling good. Remembering my experiences from last year helped me make peace with keeping things simple this year and focusing on family, health, and gratitude for every ounce of energy and health I have.

(5) Enjoying Free Community Activities

Once we get back from visiting family, we are planning to stay home for the rest of the year and take advantage of the free resources in our community. Our local library has so many fun things going on, including a little New Years party for kids during the day. There are also a couple of church activities and other small local events that we’re wanting to attend. Nothing huge or flashy, but exactly what we need right now. I am so grateful for the people who put these activities together, and I love the idea of showing up to support them while also giving our kids simple and fun experiences.

This whole approach helps us keep the season peaceful and family centered. We are not trying to add more travel or squeeze in extra commitments. We are just leaning into the resources already around us and enjoying time together without the pressure of big plans.

To close, I want to emphasize that I am truly grateful for this community! You are such an important part of everything we are building and supporting here. I would love to hear how you are simplifying your holiday season or what you are planning that feels meaningful to you this year. Your ideas and experiences uplift everyone around you, and I am so glad we get to do this together.

Free LearnDoBecome Holiday Planning Workshop

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Fun (and Totally Free!) Training Recording: Clear The Space – LIVE!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

Have you ever felt like life hit the “restart” button—sometimes by choice, sometimes not?

Maybe it’s been a health challenge, a new phase of life, or just a deep fatigue that makes it hard to finish what you start.

Today, I want to share a few stories from our community and talk about how we can keep going when life asks us to begin again. One of my favorite things is reading emails, comments, or posts from our LearnDoBecome community members.

Sometimes they come with the energy of a restart: One member shared, “Super excited to be here! Elementary teacher, wife, and mother to a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old. I have been in STEP Mastery for several years, but started out just implementing a few things here and there. I benefited immensely from what I implemented, but have realized the value of the whole command central in recent years. I’ve been trying to gain momentum for quite a while now to actually redo the program, but the baby years and some unexpected health challenges kept setting me back. Super excited to try again.”

Sometimes it’s a major life transition–like this member who said, “I found the STEP program a few years ago…. I’m in a new phase of life (divorce will be finalized this month and I’m starting up a side-passion as well). Anyway, this seems like a good time to restart STEP, so here I am…”

I also really appreciate when our members open their hearts. A recent example of this said, “I’ve hit an emotional block to finishing anything, specifically my STEP program. This is about as far as I got 5 years ago my first time through the program, too. It’s almost like I’m close to achieving what I’ve been working toward and I stop short because I don’t know what’s ahead. I’m not afraid of success or fearful of the unknown. It kind of feels like I’m fundamentally changing me and I’m not sure I know how to accept that. I have such exciting future plans that I want to build and I just can’t get there. I’ve been trying to be really intentional and kind with myself. But, I’ve completely stalled. I’m on the couch catching up on nothing important more than I’d like these days.”

She went on to open up about which part of the program she is on, and what kinds of things have been happening in her life, and the group offered some support and encouragement.

I bring all of these up because there are so many complicated feelings and experiences going on behind the scenes for all of us, and I want to acknowledge them today and offer some hope if you’re in the middle of something challenging, as well.

For example, in that first example, our STEPper said these 12 words: “the baby years and some unexpected health challenges kept setting me back.” That’s a great way to describe a period of life, but those 12 words hold a lot of untold stories. Perhaps you also know how it feels to desperately want to create order or move forward on necessary projects, but you know you need to put those things on hold because another life–or multiple lives–depend on you. And when you add “health challenges” into the equation, it makes it even harder.

I know many in our community have spent years dealing with pain, exhaustion, hospital visits, and everything that goes along with that. I’ve personally been through both the baby years and lots of unexpected health challenges, and I know that “getting organized” can feel like a mountain ahead of you that you’ll never overcome. Just getting out of bed, feeding everyone, and keeping the laundry going can max you out.

In the second example I shared, there were 6 words, “divorce will be finalized this month,” and while divorce is sadly a common occurrence, there’s nothing “common” about the pain that I’m sure she has been going through. Several of my best friends and close family members have gone through divorce, and no matter how amiable they try to make it, the details are never easy. It takes a lot of bravery to move forward.

In the third example I shared, I want to highlight these 19 words: “It kind of feels like I’m fundamentally changing me and I’m not sure I know how to accept that.” I feel like this could be its own separate episode. It’s true–anytime we decide we’re going to rise above our past challenges and create a future we love, a change has to take place. And when we’re going for a true transformation, the changes are not superficial, they are definitely fundamental.

There’s a common theme in these 3 messages: they’re all moving forward, reaching out for connection, and deciding that their futures can be even happier than their pasts. So why am I recording this podcast? What message do I want to share with you today, if you happen to be in a transition point, as well?

First, I want to send my love. It takes a lot of courage to show up for yourself, and if you’re here at LearnDoBecome, it’s because there’s something inside that’s calling you forward–and you’ve chosen to answer the call, when it would be so easy to ignore it or numb it with distractions. That deserves some major acknowledgement.

Second, I want you to know we’re here at LearnDoBecome because we believe in you. We’re not professional organizers who come to your home and clean it up for you. We’re not just “running a business” and trying to sell a bunch of products. We’re fellow travelers and friends who want to offer simple tools and systems so you can lift yourself out of the mess or the overwhelm or the indecision that has been paralyzing you and create a life where you wake up excited and go to bed content.

A recent comment came in from Angela on Episode 305 of the podcast. In our discussion with Sharon Eubank, author of the book Doing Small Things with Great Love, I had mentioned our trip building a school in Kenya with Village Impact and how that was a “big” thing, but that most of my work, particularly serving here at LearnDoBecome feels like it isn’t making that big of an influence because it is so much easier for me than traveling internationally. But then Angela shared this:

“April – I just wanted to share what I was thinking about as you were wrapping up the podcast…. I got to thinking that what you are doing is the step before the school, program, etc. You are helping your community to bring order to chaos SO THAT we can GO and do the things that God has uniquely gifted us to do. Imagine the impact you are having as you teach us how to build and maintain order. How many projects are ACTUALLY getting done because of the principles that you teach. How many schools are being built, programs being designed and lives being changed because of what we have learned. What you are doing is “teaching us to fish” so that our minds and lives are open to use the skills we have been created with to go and make an impact in the world around us. So, for that – thank you.”

I shared it with Eric, and he said, “That may have been one of the best comments you’ve ever received.” And I don’t say this to pat myself on the back or anything. I just want you to know that the reason I’m here–trying to love you and strengthen you through this online community is because I believe in what you are going to create. I remember how overwhelming my life felt before I built my Command Central (or my STEP System–or whatever you want to call it!). I remember feeling so mentally exhausted, so frustrated, and so crazy. I was taking care of all these little children and helping with PTA and serving in my church and working with my husband to navigate a career path that actually worked for our family.

Most of my prayers during that time were me simply pleading to God to help me know what to do so I could feel peace. So I could get out of the hole I felt I was in. So I could actually live with purpose and not be worried about my super long to-do list that never really solved the deepest problems we were facing.

And now that I’m out of that hole and out of that overwhelm, I just can’t stand the thought of anyone living in it when I know the way out. I’ve had to learn to temper myself, to work at a sustainable pace, and to create systems for all of this so my team and I don’t burn out–but we’re here because we know it’s going to make a difference for you like it has for us.

The third thing I want to share today are just a few things you can do right now to start making progress. There are some practical things–like getting our Welcome Kit at LearnDoBecome.com/Welcome, which features some simple tutorials and resources that will train you on our Steps to Everyday Productivity method, but here are some additional thoughts that will hopefully give you a lift:

Lower your expectations. I know this feels counterintuitive, but for you perfectionists and overachievers (yes, I can see you!), there is so much power in this. If you actually sat down and recorded everything you’re currently expecting of yourself–and then if you posted it to social media and asked if anyone wanted to take on that job description, would anyone apply? Does that thought make you laugh? We’re so hard on ourselves, but the truth is that when we expect less of ourselves, we end up with energy to do more.

I’ve said over and over again that short lists get done, so please–do everything you can to shorten your lists. You likely have 50 projects written down that you’re trying to do right now–plus 37 hidden projects you’re doing that you never did write down.

Inside our Welcome Kit, there’s a video training to help you focus your Current Projects List on just a few that will serve you the best. Work in pre-planned microbursts. Those are 10-minute, focused working sessions where you do the next action related to a project.

For the community member mentioned above in my third example who was having trouble finishing the STEP program, I asked if she’d just read or watched the whole program without implementing it–so she could wrap her head around the whole thing. She replied, “That is one of the ‘just do something’ tasks I’m trying to get done. Just watch/read the modules to see what’s ahead. I then find every reason to not do it. My biggest ‘reason’ is that it’s the end of the day and I just don’t feel like learning anything else today. That’s dumb!! What cop out!”

Then I replied, “I don’t think that is a cop-out at all. Fatigue is a real thing. What do you think about lowering your expectations and making it easy on yourself? Have your computer already logged in and ready to go—and commit to just 10 minutes before wind-down time. Or log in from your phone and do 10 minutes of STEP in the bathtub. Something easy so you don’t feel like you have to ‘gear up’?”

She then said, “I think you are on to something! Almost like putting your workout gear on so you are ready to workout whether you want to or not. If I have my laptop open, loaded in, and at the ready, the first 3 actions are done.”

If there’s something big you’re putting off right now, what is the very next 10-minute task you could do to move that forward? And how could you make it easy to do that? Weave a whole new cloth. I know this one sounds weird, but it’s a powerful concept I learned from Shad Helmstetter’s book, The Power of Neuroplasticity. Seriously, this is one of my new favorites. He teaches the science behind positive self-talk, and he shares that when we are building a new version of ourselves by changing the way we think, we aren’t just taking a piece of old cloth and fashioning it into something different. We’re creating a whole new cloth. I love this idea.

We don’t have to carry our old habits, our past mistakes, or our former wiring into our futures. All the pain, resentment, anger, suffering, and trauma can stay in the past. We each get to choose, today, to tell a different story and to create a life where we can use our unique talents and gifts to bless others. Sometimes our humanness feels like such a weight. But I believe the world has never needed our humanness more. You know that there is good inside you that is just waiting to be unlocked.

If you didn’t feel that, you wouldn’t be here at LearnDoBecome. Our STEP program and our ARISE community are here, if you want to work with us on a more personal level and get step-by-step training and support. Or if you’d prefer to enjoy our free content and dabble in some of the concepts we teach, that’s great, too! Just make sure you sign up for the Welcome Kit at LearnDoBecome.com/Welcome so you can be connected to us.

We love you, and we are cheering you on!

Now, to close up, I’m excited to share 3 fun Community Testimonials!

Krissy wrote, “Just finished Module 4. Feels good to have my space clear and organized. Using my computer bag as my temporary mobile command center. (Use what you’ve got, right?) Excited to incorporate the flow chart when going through my doom piles when I get home. Hoping establishing some good habits now will help when I get back to the chaos of reality.”

The following 3 images and quotes come from Patty:

Book: Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World

Book: The Power of Neuroplasticity

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Fun (and Totally Free!) Training Recording: Clear The Space – LIVE!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

In this member spotlight episode, Jill sits down with Aimee, a member of the LearnDoBecome community, to talk about how she transformed her home and life after going through our STEP (Steps to Everyday Productivity) program.

Aimee shared how she discovered the program at a breaking point: surrounded by piles, caring for aging parents, and feeling overwhelmed by “stuff.” What began as a simple decluttering effort became a spiritual and emotional revival, as Aimee learned not just how to organize her home, but how to create space for peace, relationships, and joy.

Together, Jill and Aimee discuss:

We hope you enjoy this episode and the incredible experiences and pictures that Aimee shared with us!

“Before” and “After” photos of her craft room:

Aimee shared the following message in a post in our STEP Mastery Facebook group:

“I know this may seem odd to share a wedding anniversary post on the private STEP Mastery page, but let me explain…

“My husband and I have been married 33 years as of yesterday. We have weathered a lot of storms; financial, emotional, spiritual, and physical; as all relationships do over time. The past few years have been particularly difficult with our aging parents and children leaving us with an empty nest (or a not so empty nest, but instead, a nest packed with stuff). Lately, much of our challenges involve the physical STUFF and mental STUFF, we have acquired. All this stuff has really gotten in the way of feeling peace, and the stress of managing it and hauling it has even caused health challenges. Sometimes it has prevented us from enjoying social engagements because I need to clean all weekend, I’m embarrassed to have people over, or I just feel overwhelmed and don’t want to go anywhere. The burden of our stuff has been weighing on us for quite some time. And we were feeling the burden without understanding where the feeling originated. There was no mindfulness or connection to the root issue.

“As I gradually began to clear out clutter from my head and our physical surroundings, I have noticed a significant change in my relationships, specifically with my husband. This was unexpected, but makes complete sense.

“Following STEP has lowered our stress levels as a couple because there is order in our spaces. We implemented a Google calendar to know exactly what is happening and when. We have a clear understanding of where to find important documents and reference materials for work and home projects. He has trust in me that I will make and keep my commitments to my assigned family related action items as he’s watched me have success. He told me recently he feels so much more peace and contentment, instead of stress, aggravation and irritation from the annoying chaos and uncertainties. He has even changed HIS organization standards just by watching me change mine. Matt runs his own business from our home, as do I, but I wasn’t fulfilling my agreed upon family responsibilities because I had no systems in place. Matt project manages very well, but I wasn’t because I didn’t know efficient steps to managing our household. I had never really been taught an effective system. I just was winging it everyday.

“When you know better, you do better.

“Is it unique that marriage and family relationships can profoundly improve just from cleaning your physical space and your head of the clutter?

“No. No, It’s not unusual at all. It actually makes complete sense.”

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

Hello! We’re so happy to have you here today for this wonderful podcast with Sharon Eubank! On this page, you’ll find the following:

Enjoy, and thanks so much for being with us!

On a personal level, I have admired Sharon Eubank for years as I have observed her humanitarian work and listened to her speak on several occasions, and there have been so many times I have wanted to ask her for guidance.

My question was essentially, “What should I do so my efforts have the greatest impact?”

When I heard that Sharon had written a book, I ordered it right that minute and then reached out to see if I could help promote it in any way because I knew it would be incredible. And it is!

This quote from the introduction of her book shared that others have had similar questions to mine: “I have become sensitized to the pent-up desire so many feel to give of themselves and help others with something useful and honorable, and I also have a sense of the fear or self-criticism many have that what they offer will never be enough to make a difference.”

Here at LearnDoBecome, we have an amazing community of people who want to create lives where they wake up excited and go to bed content. They want to get organized, they want to prioritize their families, and they want to do good with their energy–whether that is through their paid or volunteer work.

And in today’s world, we all want to feel empowered to DO something that can help create more peace and unity. It just often feels hard and big and complicated to actually make a difference.

Not anymore!

In the interview, we cover three key lessons I learned from the book (and more–but here’s a start):

(1) Being a humanitarian is less about money and more about connection.

(2) You are the gift.

(3) Exchange and sustainability are important in any type of humanitarian work.

Here are a few quotes from her book that I asked her to elaborate on:

“No one is too poor, too disabled, too marginalized, too street weary, or too anything else to contribute something of value to society.” (We shared how everyone brings value, and service is not about one person who HAS resources giving to someone who DOESN’T. It’s about connection and exchange.)

“In humanitarian circles, the tidal wave of unusable donations that clogs up the logistics is called the second disaster.” (She shares some specifics that are incredibly eye-opening and offers a great perspective on how to give what is needed when, where, and how it is needed.)

“Of course it is harder to work where you live. It’s harder because we understand the dynamics and real barriers that may be invisible to us in unfamiliar cultures and places.” (It often feels cleaner/easier to go to a foreign country and do good, but if we can slow down, ask the right questions, and actually help meet the needs are right in front of us, we can create lasting change.)

There is so much more, so please go listen to the podcast! I know you will feel uplifted in a way that won’t cause you to feel exhausted.

The ideas shared here literally contribute to World Peace–in a way that empowers each one of us.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway! The prize winners are below and have been contacted directly via email:

3 winners will receive a book bundle of “The Prosperity Paradox” AND “Doing Small Things with Great Love”:

3 winners will receive a $50 Amazon gift card to help support their service efforts:

3 winners will receive a STEP Self-Study program ($247 value). Click here to learn about our STEP programs!

5 winners will receive a 1-year ARISE community membership ($250 value). Click here to learn about our ARISE membership!

Grand Prize! 1 winner will receive an hour of one-on-one coaching with a member of Team LearnDoBecome!

Sharon’s Book, Doing Small Things with Great Love (Amazon Affiliate Links On this Page)

Village Impact

Mentors International

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Thanks so much for listening! We’d love to hear a favorite takeaway here in the comments section of the post.

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for your interest!

One of our favorite things to do here at LearnDoBecome is create win-win-wins, so we’ve put together this fun opportunity that includes a giveaway for you, plus an opportunity for LearnDoBecome to donate to a special charity in your honor.

And guess what! You can enter the giveaway MULTIPLE times! (20 maximum entries per person.) We have entry options that include purchasing a copy of Sharon’s book, sharing this podcast with friends, and more! (No purchase necessary to enter.)

For each book purchased, we will donate $20—up to $5,000—to Mentors International—an amazing charity that trains and supports entrepreneurs worldwide to help lift themselves out of poverty.

***AND if one of the people you tell about this book/podcast wins one of the prizes below, YOU will win, too!***

Full details are below–click here to submit the giveaway form!

Prizes Available:

5 Ways to Enter – Including 3 Totally Free Options:

Remember that if someone hears about this book/podcast from you (and records your name in the Google form as the referrer), we DOUBLE the prize and you both win! So please share as much as you’d like! The odds of you winning increases with every share. 

(The testimonials and messages from our community that were shared in this podcast can be found toward the end of the page.)

We have a huge, beautiful community here at LearnDoBecome who are working their way to a calm, organized life, and today I wanted to share some ideas that will hopefully offer support. Now, I know when I refer to “getting organized,” I say it as though it is something you can actually achieve–like there will come a day you can check off a box and say, “I’m organized!” We all know life doesn’t work like that. There will always be something to file, a message to return, a mess to clean, etc. But I do believe each one of us can get to the point where we are at an organized baseline—and you can keep it like that for good.

Here are 5 thoughts that I hope will lift you today and lead you toward that organized outcome you’re looking for:

(1) “I am a solution finder.”

In my experience, the most successful people are not looking for reasons they can’t. They’re looking for reasons they can. In our STEP Mastery Facebook group, Taryn created a mad-lib type of recommendation for people posting questions. Instead of saying, “I need help!” or “This is hard,” we encourage them to say something like, “I am currently working on ____ module and I am struggling with _____. I already tried ______, and my question is ______.” Brilliant!

In our entrepreneurial work, I have loved being around entrepreneurs because they think differently. They’re not victims. If something changes in the world or the economy, they don’t shut their doors. They adapt. They ask one another what’s working. They experiment with new ideas. It’s beautiful to watch.

On our visit to Kenya, we did some touring with Mentors International, an organization that provides business mentorship and helps people lift themselves out of poverty. There was one woman we met who runs a children’s clothing store. I asked how she got customers to come to her store, and she told me how she uses TikTok to advertise her new items, and when someone says they want to buy it, she sends it with a motorcycle-delivery guy, who gets paid by the customer upon delivery. I was so impressed!

It’s the same thing when we’re getting organized. Let’s say you keep piling things by the front door. What could you create so that doesn’t happen? Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by projects? How could you reduce the number you expect of yourself?

(2) “I am taking care of myself.”

We often end up disorganized because our time and energy goes to other people and we put ourselves last. Then when we DO put energy towards ourselves, we feel indulgent or guilty or like we’re ignoring all the people around us. Organization is self care. It’s essential. It’s not easy, but for people like us who care for others and devote our lives to being a support, it’s the best way we can replenish and enable ourselves to sustainably serve.

(3) “I am training my brain.”

This is truly what happens inside our STEP program, but this also applies with any other organizational skills you are learning. Some serious, consistent effort up front pays off in spades because when we train our brains to choose order over chaos, that will eventually become our default. For example, we teach people how to designate and use a capture tool on a daily basis. This might feel foreign or annoying when you have to write down every random thought you want to act on, but it’s genius because pretty soon, you’ll naturally capture the important tasks, and you’ll have a system to focus on them, and your brain won’t constantly be spinning with ideas. The reason we end up with piles of stuff is because we don’t have a simple path to decide what something means to us and where it needs to go so we won’t forget it. When we solve this problem and train our brains, everything becomes so much easier!

(4) “I am keeping things simple.” 

One of the best updates we made to our STEP program was the “Function Over Fancy” rule right at the beginning. We found that people were pausing their work in order to decide on the perfect desk, the perfect inbox, the perfect file container, etc. But if they had an upcoming move or were saving up for a special desk or something, they assumed they had to wait until conditions were perfect. That is a recipe for becoming stuck. Now we show a bunch of photos of very functional systems that are incredibly simple—I even did a video showing how I worked my whole system using a notebook from the dollar store and a cardboard box with file folders inside. And we’re watching people post now in the group showing their incredibly simple systems that are not “pretty,” but they’re getting the job done. It’s amazing.

(5) “I am getting organized for some very powerful reasons.”

My heart is touched each time I see a written commitment from one of our community members. We invite you to think about your “why,” write it down, and post it where you’ll see it regularly. I’ve never seen anyone say, “I’m committed to getting organized so I can be a lazy person who ignores everyone else and lives a life that is self-centered and indulgent.” (Though, if that’s your why, that’s totally up to you!) Instead, I see people sharing how they want to be excited when they wake up. They want to be present with their loved ones. They want to be able to serve in meaningful ways. They want to hear God more clearly. They want to feel joy on a daily basis and live a full, beautiful life.

Doing things in new ways requires effort. I get it. Right now, I’m working on getting out of sleep debt. I’m sleeping SO much, and it’s taking longer than I thought it would. But as I get myself to bed by 10, make time for the rest I need, and simplify my other responsibilities during this time, I’m telling myself similar things. I’m working towards a solution to my fatigue, I’m taking care of myself, I’m keeping things simple, and I’m resting up for some very powerful reasons.

I know your heart wants to do a lot. And I know it would be amazing if all your dreams could come true right this instant. But I am so, so proud of you for taking these steps and creating an amazing foundation for the future.

Jennifer wrote, “Hello! I just finished Module 2 and wanted to share the physical part of my Command Central. My favorite part is my Read & Review tray — I think it’s a good candidate for the “use what you have” theme. It’s an ice bin from an old refrigerator . (I’m not sure why it got separated and didn’t leave when the fridge was taken away, but I’m glad it didn’t; it’s perfect here.)”

Here’s the image she shared:

Chantaline shared the following message and images:

CLEAR A SPACE: 10 min burst before and after.

Karen shared this message with us:

“My win for the day…..tickler file really works for me. So does having my planner. I was able to use that $500 gift certificate a nice family bought for my classroom. I was in the area, I easily found the certificate and used it. I have some supplies, viola strings sets, trumpet oil, reeds for clarinets and different sizes of saxophones, a new chromatic tuner and bass rosin. Yay!”

Video: I Replaced My Organization Setup for a Notebook & Cardboard Box

Village Impact

Mentors International

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

Quick Announcement! If you are reading the show notes and listening to this podcast when it first comes out, there is about a week left until our STEP Momentum accountability group begins! (Starting on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 10am Pacific.)

Our signature program, Steps to Everyday Productivity, helps you build a simple system to organize everything in your life–projects, tasks, goals, routines, paperwork, email, and all the “stuff” in your physical, digital, and mental space. When you organize your MIND, your space naturally follows!

This is event is for all members of our STEP Mastery program, and if you want to learn more and get our BEST offer to join, click here to visit the STEP Momentum page!

Eric and April recorded a brief video telling more about it, and you can click here or on the image below to watch!

We’d love to have you join us as we go through the STEP program together! If you have any questions at all, please send a message to email (at) learndobecome.com and we’ll get back to you shortly!

In this episode, team member and coach Taryn shares how she first discovered the STEP program in 2017 during a particularly busy season of life. At the time, she was juggling a packed schedule that included teaching piano lessons, leading cake decorating classes, baking special-order cakes, managing multiple church responsibilities, and supporting her husband’s full calendar. While she appeared to be managing it all, internally she felt overwhelmed by the constant pressure to keep everything straight.

Taryn had always been drawn to organization and loved the look of tidy containers and clean spaces, but those surface-level solutions never truly solved the underlying chaos. Piles of paper kept accumulating and mental clutter remained. That all changed when she discovered the STEP program through a free webinar. After purchasing the program, she started slowly, implementing one small step at a time. But it was when she finally built her full Command Central and committed to regular daily and weekly reviews that everything shifted.

The piles disappeared. Her brain felt clearer. She finally knew where things were and could find what she needed without stress or confusion. Even as her schedule has changed and health challenges have come her way, her Command Central has been a consistent source of support.

Now as a STEP coach, Taryn finds joy in watching others experience the same transformation she did. She especially loves seeing the momentum and growth that happens in the STEP Momentum accountability group. Her story is a beautiful reminder that lasting calm and clarity are possible, even in the busiest of seasons.

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

Quick Announcement! If you are reading the show notes and listening to this podcast when it first comes out, there is about a week left until our STEP Momentum accountability group begins! (Starting on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 10am Pacific.)

Our signature program, Steps to Everyday Productivity, helps you build a simple system to organize everything in your life–projects, tasks, goals, routines, paperwork, email, and all the “stuff” in your physical, digital, and mental space. When you organize your MIND, your space naturally follows!

This is event is for all members of our STEP Mastery program, and if you want to learn more and get our BEST offer to join, click here to visit the STEP Momentum page!

Eric and April recorded a brief video telling more about it, and you can click here or on the image below to watch!

We’d love to have you join us as we go through the STEP program together! If you have any questions at all, please send a message to email (at) learndobecome.com and we’ll get back to you shortly!

In this episode, STEP Coach Jill Adams shares her heartfelt and relatable journey of discovering the STEP program in the middle of one of life’s busiest seasons. Back in 2016, Jill was a busy mom of four, managing endless carpooling, extracurriculars, laundry, meals, and all the mental load that comes with family life. Though everything looked fine on the outside, inside she felt overwhelmed and mentally exhausted, especially during the “Sunday scaries” when she’d lie awake for hours worrying about the upcoming week.

Jill’s turning point came when she found the STEP program and realized it was the first real investment she had made in herself since becoming a mom. She was especially inspired by the idea of going to bed content and waking up excited. What followed was truly life-changing. STEP gave her a system to stop relying on her brain to hold everything. Instead, every task, project, and commitment had a place—outside of her head—which brought her lasting mental clarity and peace.

Today, Jill is not only thriving with her own Command Central but also serves as a coach to others going through STEP Momentum. She loves seeing the transformation that happens when members finally solidify key habits, especially the Weekly Review, which she describes as the glue that holds the system together. In STEP Momentum, she explains, all the guesswork is removed. Participants receive clear, simple assignments each day, helping them build their Command Centrals with confidence and calm.

Jill’s message is filled with hope and encouragement: that even if life feels chaotic now, just a few focused weeks with STEP can lead to lasting change. Her story is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to reclaim your time, your energy, and your peace of mind.

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.

Quick Announcement! If you are reading the show notes and listening to this podcast when it first comes out, there is about a week left until our STEP Momentum accountability group begins! (Starting on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 10am Pacific.)

Our signature program, Steps to Everyday Productivity, helps you build a simple system to organize everything in your life–projects, tasks, goals, routines, paperwork, email, and all the “stuff” in your physical, digital, and mental space. When you organize your MIND, your space naturally follows!

This is event is for all members of our STEP Mastery program, and if you want to learn more and get our BEST offer to join, click here to visit the STEP Momentum page!

Eric and April recorded a brief video telling more about it, and you can click here or on the image below to watch!

We’d love to have you join us as we go through the STEP program together! If you have any questions at all, please send a message to email (at) learndobecome.com and we’ll get back to you shortly!

In this episode, team member and STEP Coach Candice shares her heartfelt journey from overwhelm to clarity using the STEP program. At the time she discovered LearnDoBecome, Candice was living in Johannesburg, South Africa, juggling multiple roles as a pastor’s wife, church secretary, and leader in children’s ministry. Despite her passion for serving her community, she often felt defeated by the mental clutter and forgotten tasks piling up each week.

Candice candidly describes sitting in church, noticing all the things she had meant to take care of, from unwatered plants to unaddressed maintenance issues, and feeling frustrated that she was letting people down. After fruitless Google searches trying to find a system to help her stay organized, a STEP webinar ad appeared on Facebook. She immediately knew it was the answer she had been seeking.

She dove into the program, built her STEP Command Central, and experienced breakthrough moments around how to track tasks, manage projects, and organize paperwork. STEP gave her not only practical tools, like how to manage future tasks or plan a church event, but also peace of mind knowing everything had a place.

Candice now uses Asana to manage her digital system and continues to refine her setup as a coach. She warmly invites anyone, even those who feel stuck in the “messy middle,” to join STEP Momentum, the live community accountability group starting September 3rd. Her story is a powerful reminder that lasting transformation starts with one small step and a system that truly works.

Free LearnDoBecome Community Facebook Group

YouTube Channel: Subscribe Here!

Brand new? Get the LearnDoBecome Welcome Kit here!

Free Training, How to Finally Stop Drowning in Piles

Our Steps to Everyday Productivity program!

The ARISE Membership– an amazing gathering place for community members that are using their Command Centrals to refine relationships, health, finances, individual purpose, and more. We focus on a new topic each month, and this is an amazing opportunity to receive coaching and support from Team LearnDoBecome. You can sign up for a free, 60-day trial here.