Last week I said something that made some of y’all mad at me… and honestly? I understand why. I challenged you that the reason you haven’t written your book isn’t because you don’t have time.
And you came back with, “Carolyn… I’m leading a team. I’m serving clients. I’m raising kids. I’m involved at church. I’m holding the whole world together with a Starbucks cup and the power of Jesus.”
Friend. I get it.
But what if the issue isn’t time… it’s focus?
In today’s episode of The Published Pearl, I’m joined by Lissa Figgins (creator of the Redeem Her Time Planner and host of the Redeem Her Time podcast), and she’s built her entire platform around one bold declaration:
YOU. HAVE. TIME.
We talk about:
• why busyness can be avoidance (yes, we went there)
• the “oranges vs. skittles” capacity concept that will change how you see your day
• why time isn’t something you manage—it’s something you steward
• why 12-week sprints work so well for getting books finished
• how to set boundaries your family can actually understand and respect
• and the exact structure Lissa teaches for building an “impactful day” (refills + pour-outs + time anchors)
If God has been tapping you on the shoulder about your book for years, this episode is your loving wake-up call.
Your book isn’t waiting on your calendar to clear. It’s waiting on you to decide.
👇 Grab the freebies and links we mentioned:
Lissa’s free Impactful Day Planner + coaching video:
https://redeemhertime.com/day
Carolyn’s Write Start Guide (your publishing roadmap):
https://roseandpearl.net/getstarted
Book a 15-min Strategy Call with Carolyn:
https://roseandpearl.net/booking
And next week… I’m sharing my favorite publishing path (because a post I saw this week made my blood boil, and we’re not letting inexperienced authors get steered into decisions that wreck their credibility and margins).
Welcome to The Published Pearl. We don’t play small here.
Timestamped Chapters
00:00 — “You don’t have time” (and why that made y’all mad)
01:05 — Meet Lissa Figgins: “YOU. HAVE. TIME.”
03:49 — Lissa’s story: time addiction, anxiety, and the heart behind the calendar
08:15 — Is busyness avoidance? (sometimes… yes)
10:22 — Reality check: 24 hours + screen time doesn’t lie
14:16 — Phone reflex + what you might be avoiding
15:36 — The spiritual cost of distraction and lack of focus
19:30 — Capacity by design: oranges vs. skittles (order determines capacity)
24:19 — The first “orange”: time with the Lord (even 5 minutes)
28:32 — One-thing focus + growth mapping + accountability
34:02 — Why 12-week sprints work (start–stop–sprint cycle)
37:43 — What happens if you treat your book like a CEO-level priority
39:13 — Boundaries: garden fences, communication, and protecting writing time
43:25 — Carolyn’s dissertation example: how to write with kids and leadership demands
45:51 — Lissa’s free gift: Impactful Day Planner + what it teaches
49:57 — Time anchors vs time blocks (structure with margin)
56:21 — Encouragement for the woman carrying her book assignment for years
59:42 — Case study: Penguin Random House launch plan + making time for the unexpected
1:04:54 — Where to find Lissa + her community
1:06:10 — Carolyn’s close + next week’s publishing-path episode tease
✨ Subscribe for more Spirit-led strategies on writing, publishing, and building your legacy.
Join Christian Writers Arise: 90-Day Book Accelerator and finally write the book God has placed on your heart. Learn more here: https://roseandpearl.net
💡 Grab Your Free Guide: 5 Steps to Start Writing Your Book → https://roseandpearl.net/getstarted
📲 Let’s Connect!
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💬 Let’s Talk Writing!
Are you ready for a book coach, or are you still figuring things out? Drop a comment below! ⬇️
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🖊️ Tools I Recommend for Writers: (Affiliate Links)
Scrivener (My go-to writing software): https://partners.kit.com/roseandpearl
Kit.com (Email lists for authors): https://www.literatureandlatte.com/sc...
🎤 Curious About My Setup? (Affiliate Links)
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Furry Mic Cover for Noise Reduction: https://amzn.to/43vMBXR
🎉 Your Story Matters. Let’s make 2026 the year you finally write your book!
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