Working Upward: Biblical Mindset Podcast for Christian Work at Home Business Women

Like you, I’m sure, I’ve been heartbroken and troubled by the death of George Floyd at the hands of a heartless police officer.

And like you, I've been saddened and angered by stories from others sharing their experiences of racism.

My eyes have been needfully opened to more brokenness in this world. 

As Christians, our natural response is to feel compassion alongside a desire to do good and fight injustice. 

But  what if God's way to fight injustice isn't exactly what we're hearing in the mainstream narrative? What if there's more to this than meets the eye? 

Last week,  I posted on social media that I was listening, remembering “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” - Proverbs 18:13

But after listening, reading, watching and praying, I realized I should have encouraged not just listening –– but so much more, including listening with discernment.

And I also came to the conclusion that instead of telling you step-by-step what to do to fight injustice, I wanted to point you to God’s Word for direction. It can guide you much better than I can.

So in the latest episode of Working Upward, we're looking to God's Word to help us fight racism through word and deed. 

I hope you’ll listen in and not only be encouraged, but motivated to take Christ-like action as well.

SHOW NOTES

4  Truths You Can Stand On:

1. God is a God of justice.
2. He commands us to be compassionate and seek justice for others.
3. God is love so He gets to define it for us. (hint: we love in deed and truth)
4. We discern God's Truth through His Word.

Biblical Action Points:

• Pray for wisdom.
• Listen well.
• Think critically.
• Share the Gospel.

Mission:

Read, watch and note the incredibly helpful mentioned and related resources below. These are good supplements to your Bible reading as you move toward a biblical understanding of racism, BLM, injustice and what God wants us to do about it. 

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Want Your  Business Featured in the Podcast? (It's Free)
Then go here.

Mentioned & Related Resources:

Video: Past the Point of No Return 

Book: Generous Justice by Timothy Keller

Free Resource: Gospel Presentations from GotQuestions.org

Article: How Can I Increase My Spiritual Discernment?

Article: A Biblical Foundation for Critical Thinking

Video: Voddie Baucham explains the ideology of Ethnicity Gnosticism and how it undermines the gospel and compromises genuine relationships in the church today.

If you do it right, your website can grow your business even when you’re away from your desk. And it’s as easy as 1-2-3 -- or as you’ll find out in this episode, C, C, C.

This is the first episode in my Business Booster Series where we’ll be focusing on ways you can gain and keep momentum for your business through 2020 and end the year on a high note.

SHOW NOTES:

The Three C's Your Website Needs:

1. Credibility
2. Customer-Centric Copy
3. Clarity

Episode Summary:

When planning or updating your website, you’re looking for credibility, customer-centric copy and clarity.

You need a credible domain extension like .com and apply the less is more principle throughout your design. You need proper grammar and correct spelling. Your website should immediately communicate when you are and what you do and what emotional benefits you offer to your prospective clients and customers. Your entire website needs to be customer-driven and you need to guide your customer through your website.

Mission:

Grab your free website makeover checklist here and then use it to improve your website step by step.

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Mentioned & Related Resources:

I may receive a commission when you click on a starred link and make a purchase. .

1. Get your free website makeover checklist here.
2. The Upward VA Roadmap & Support System
3. Canva - professional photos and top design tool*
4. Free Photos: Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay
5. DIY Website Platforms: Weebly*, Squarespace, Kajabi*
6. Fonts.com: Mixing Typefaces
7. GrowthBader.com: Domain Extensions
8. Grammarly
9. StoryBrand.com
10. Example Website: SmartPassiveIncome.com

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music by Purple-Planet.com

Drum Roll Sound Effect by Mike Koenig, via SoundBible.com

"Bike, Bell Ding, Single, 01-01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org

Today, we’re taking a little bit of a break from all the coronavirus crisis news and addressing our need as Christian business owners to look upward and take the time to consider what the resurrection means to our faith and then how the fact of the resurrection impacts every part of our lives, including our work. 

SHOW NOTES:

Special Announcements:

1. The Work Is Good podcast will soon be titled the Working Upward podcast. Look for that change in coming weeks. The focus and direction of the podcast are the same, but the title will make that more clear and will work well with the rest of the WorkingUpward.com brand. 

2. Since many women are seeking work at home opportunities right now for many reasons and because the Upward VA Roadmap & Support System meets a need there, I'm starting the Upward VA Ambassador Program.

Apply to be an ambassador here and you could earn a significant commission for each Upward VA Roadmap student who purchases the course and support system through your link. I'm only selecting a few ambassadors, so please don't hesitate to apply.

Because He Lives, You Can . . .

1. Face tomorrow.
2. Keep working.
3. Stop the comparison game.
4. Be bold in sharing the good news.

Mission:

Read the Resurrection Chapter (1 Corinthians 15 ) and saturate yourself with the truth of the Resurrection. Let it’s truth keep you hopeful and moving forward.

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Mentioned & Related Resources:

1. The Upward VA Roadmap & Support System (COVID-19 Offer)
2. The Upward VA Ambassador Program Application
3. Andrew Peterson's Resurrection Letters
4. 1 Corinthians 15
5. Hymn: Jesus Lives and So Shall I
6. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music by Purple-Planet.com

Drum Roll Sound Effect by Mike Koenig, via SoundBible.com

"Bike, Bell Ding, Single, 01-01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org

How on earth do you market your product or your service in a time of fear and panic?

When your prospective customers or clients are suffering financial loss or are holding tightly to their wallets and have shifted their attention to something else much bigger than you? When there’s a need in the world that you never saw coming and aren’t sure how your product or service addresses that need?

Or when you just feel awkward selling because you don’t want anyone to think you’re ignoring -- or worse -- capitalizing on the current crisis?

I’m doing my best to help answer those questions in today's episode.

Read the Show Notes

Mentioned & Related Resources:

1. Amy Porterfield's Online Marketing Made Easy podcast
2. The Upward VA Roadmap: My online course for aspiring virtual assistants.
3. Become a Podcast Insider so you're sure to catch my next bonus episode.

As the world is dealing with the Coronavirus outbreak, life as we know it is slowing dramatically so we can stop the spread of COVID-19. 

It’s a time of loss and uncertainty and for many businesses and employees, a time of financial decline. For students, it’s a time to learn from home or someone else’s home. And for work-at-home parents, you now have a full-house and quite a different schedule to follow. 

You, like me, are likely putting a lot of your normal life on hold – things like trips, outings and social events -- for very good and obvious reasons and you, like me, may be tempted to also put other parts of your life on hold – especially growth areas like work, business, and your spiritual walk. 

We’re easily distracted by the constant news and social media updates and concerning thoughts about our future. 

In today’s super-relevant episode, I share four specific ways we can keep moving forward in any type of crisis, but especially during the current coronavirus crisis. Stay tuned for encouragement and inspiration at a time when we all desperately need both. 

Read the Show Notes at WorkingUpward.com.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! If you love making decisions and know for sure you always make the right ones, then this episode is not for you. 

However if you struggle with overthinking, underthinking, general wishy-washiness or just making wrong choices, then what I’m sharing today is just what you need to hear. 

By the end of the episode you’ll have a plan to help you confidently make your next big decision and then feel really good about your choice. 

Show Notes:

Common Roots to Our Decision-Making Struggles

1.  Misunderstanding the dual nature of God's will. 
2.  We think we're in charge. 
3.  We're afraid. 

The Antidote

Understanding God’s loving plan for us and trusting Him to guide us and work it all out. And of course the more we’re in the Word of God and communing with Him in prayer, the less we struggle with these root issues. 

Pre-Decision Making Principles

1. Avoid "fleece" mentality.
2. Clarify your priorities.
3. Make decisions on a full stomach and with a well-rested body.
4. Limit your choices wherever possible.
5. Avoid crowd mentality.

5-Part Framework for Making Decisions

1. Get the facts
2. Search the Scripture
3. Seek godly counsel
4. Pray 
5. Make the decision confidently

Post-Decision Principles

1. Remember not all decisions are permanent. They can be reversed.
2. Routinely evaluate your decisions.
3. Learn from your decisions.

Mission:

Think of one good decision you've made and one bad decision you've made. Pause for a moment and consider your thought process in each of those. What have you learned from each of those decisions? Bonus points if you write it down.

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Mentioned & Related Resources

1. GotQuestions.org: "Is it acceptable to lay out a fleece before God in prayer?"
2. How I Podcast: Get your free guide.

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music by Purple-Planet.com

Drum Roll Sound Effect by Mike Koenig, via SoundBible.com

"Bike, Bell Ding, Single, 01-01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org

A real-life VA answers the most frequently asked questions from those who are feeling the need for some outside help in their work and ministries and from those ready to enjoy all the benefits of working from home while serving others as a VA.

SHOW NOTES:

Questions Covered:

• What exactly are virtual assistants and how do they fit in the big scheme of things in the working world?
• What is a virtual assistant niche?
• What are the qualifications of a virtual assistant?
• What kinds of things does a virtual assistant do?
• What are the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant?
• What are the benefits of being a virtual assistant?
• How much does a virtual assistant cost?
• How does the whole payment thing work virtually?
• What tax responsibilities are involved for each party?
• Where do I find good virtual assistants?
• Should I work with an agency or directly with my own VA?
• How can I find out more information about working with a virtual assistant?
• How can I become a virtual assistant?

Your Mission:

If you’re interested in hiring a  virtual assistant, take some time to brainstorm 10 tasks you can delegate to your VA. If you’re interested in becoming a virtual assistant, brainstorm 10 services you can offer your clients.

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Mentioned & Related Resources

1. The Upward VA Roadmap and Support System (use the code WORKISGOOD at checkout for significant savings)
2. Kajabi: All-in-one Online Business Platform
3. BELAY (let them know I sent you)
4. Free Webinar (Daily): Secrets of a Real-Life Virtual Assistant
5. Did I miss a question? Want to learn more about hiring or becoming a virtual assistant? Email me.

This episode is brought to you by The Upward VA Roadmap, my online course and support system that guides you through the basics of building your own virtual assistant business the quickest route possible. Check it out here. 

We’ve all had days where we are just plain grateful we survived, right? Our heads fall on our pillows at the end of the day and we are exhausted! We think through our "to do" lists and wish we had done more, but if we’re perfectly honest, we’re just not sure how we could have. 

And yet we know God wants us to thrive, not merely survive!

When I looked up the word thrive online, I read that it means to flourish or to grow well and that’s what this episode is all about – practical ways we can grow well in all areas of our life, including our work. 

SHOW NOTES

Category #1: Intentionally take care of yourself. 

1. Follow God's pattern of work and rest. 
2. Verbally commit each day to the Lord. 
3. Actually ask for prayer yourself (rather than just listening and responding to others' requests).
4. Practice a healthy lifestyle as stewardship and worship.
5. Schedule professional growth time (put it in your calendar).

Category #2: Create and maintain your vision. 

1. Listen or re-listen to Episode 1 and Episode 2 of this podcast to better understand God's plan for your work and how to know your true calling. 
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. 
3. Write a personal mission statement. 
4. Get help.
5. Journal a sentence or two a day.

Your Mission:

Journal a sentence a day for a week to see how you like it. You know, experiment a little. For this challenge, let’s use this question: What did you learn new today? Remember, you can do this the pen and paper way, the word document way, or even a simple note in your notes app – whichever way will help you stay consistent.

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Mentioned & Related Resources

1. "The Insanity of Self-Care" from DesiringGod.org
2. "More Truth About Self-Care" from Revive Our Hearts Ministries. 
3. You Who: Why You Matter and How to Deal With It by Rachel Jancovik
4. Clifton Strengths Assessment (StrengthsFinder 2.0)
5. Christian DISC assessment (includes free version)
6. Listen: It's 9 O'Clock Somewhere, or Why Work Is Good
7. Listen: How to Know Your True Calling from God

Have you ever accidentally plugged your iPad into your iPhone’s charger? If so, then you know it charges really slowly. It still charges, but what would normally take a couple hours might take all day. Because you’re plugged into the wrong thing. 

Unfortunately, we often do the same thing with ourselves.  Instead of plugging into our Ultimate Power Source -- I’m talking about our Almighty and Faithful God -- we plug into the wrong things. Advice we find on the Internet. From well meaning, yet mistaken friends. Our own hearts!  We forget where our power really comes from and boy, do we pay the price. 

Now, you may have listened to my past couple of episodes here on the Work Is Good podcast  -- and I hope you have -- where I shared what I like to call Power Principles for Life and Work. 

Each of those principles, I strongly believe, is pure gold, but just to be clear, those principles are only powerful when we are connected to our Ultimate Power Source God Himself. And I probably should have added a disclaimer - something like:  Warning: Not to be tried in your own strength. 

I was especially reminded  of that this past week when I was down low with the flu. I love how God gives reminders that we can’t do anything without Him, don’t you? The flu? That will definitely do it.

So in this episode, I’m going to encourage you and myself by examining and rejoicing in the power of God. 

We’re going to see just how powerful and wonderful God is and then how God graciously gives it to us and then a few really practical ways we can make sure we’re depending on God’s power rather than our own in our day to day lives. 

And heads-up -- it’s jam-packed with super encouraging Scripture so prepare for a major pick-me-up in the moments ahead!

Access the full show notes at WorkingUpward.com See the full show notes.

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Your Mission: 

Immediately after this episode, take 5 minutes to thank God for His power in creation, salvation, your sanctification and then tell Him how much you need Him every day and every minute. Ask Him to help you rely on His power alone. 

Mentioned & Related Resources

1. Become a Podcast Insider. It's free!
2. William Cowper on the power of prayer: "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon His knees."
3. Day by Day by Carolina Sandell-Berg
4. For a complete list of verses mentioned in this episode, email [email protected]. (Podcast Insiders get resources like this free as episodes are released.)

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music by Purple-Planet.com

Drum Roll Sound Effect by Mike Koenig, via SoundBible.com

"Bike, Bell Ding, Single, 01-01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org

When was the last time you had an “aha” moment? A moment when you were thinking through something or working on something and it just wasn’t making sense or you just stopped moving forward  and then suddenly –– you got it?

Many times when I’ve been in this situation, it was something from outside that moment that helped me make that breakthrough. A conversation with a friend, a passage from the Bible, a television show, a book, a sermon, a social media post or a podcast. 

And many times these things have become Power Principles in my life and work. Meaning, that They didn’t just help me once or twice, they help me over and over again. 

Today's episode is Part Two of Episode #3, Power Principles for Life and Work, so be sure to listen to Part One if you haven't done so yet. 

Last time we talked about done being better than perfect, the biblical definition of success, the value of time over money, boundaries and more. And this week we have eight more game-changing principles. 

Listen and enjoy!

Access the full show notes at WorkingUpward.com See the full show notes. 

Pay It Forward:

Subscribe and leave a review on iTunes to help spread the word about the Work Is Good podcast.

Your Mission: 

Read Ephesians 2 and write down what you see about God’s generosity. And then, write down one way you can be more generous in a) your work and b) your life.

Mentioned & Related Resources

1. Become a Podcast Insider. It's free!

2. Company of One by Paul Jarvis

3. StoryBrand by Donald Miller

4. The Upward VA Roadmap Course & Support System

5. The Upside of an Experimental Mindset (Lead to Win podcast)

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music by Purple-Planet.com

Drum Roll Sound Effect by Mike Koenig, via SoundBible.com

"Bike, Bell Ding, Single, 01-01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org