How To Live Your Priorities

In this vlog, I address the question I get "How do you juggle it all" and share with you how I balance life and rest, and how we can all live our priorities. #WomenLivingWell #vlog #priorities #life #rest

{Cue the Confetti!}

It’s our very first Q & A Wednesday!

Over 2,000 of you took a survey last week and the #1 question you all asked was:

How do you juggle it all?

I know your life is very full just like mine.  Every woman I talk to is SO busy.

Sometimes we can look into someone else’s life and feel like we are not measuring up or like we must be doing something wrong, because we are just so exhausted.

Watch this video below to find out how I juggle my responsibilities (and my exhaustion) and how YOU can live YOUR unique priorities.

{If you are reading this in a feed – don’t miss this video – come join us on the blog today – leave a comment – we want to hear from you!}

The resource I mentioned in the video above is by Elisabeth Elliot and is titled, *Discipline: The Glad Surrender.

** Now It’s Your Turn**

How do YOU juggle it all?  What’s in your circles?

Share your thoughts, ideas, and stories in the comments below. Remember thousands of women read here everyday. You never know when God could use your comment to help, comfort, guide and change another woman’s life.

Walk with the King,
Courtney

*This post contains an affiliate link.

41 Comments

  1. Hey Courtney … I’m big on to-do lists, agendas, and my trusty red pen! They help me juggle, especially when things get just a bit out of control.

    http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2013/01/of-lists-agendas-and-red-pens.html

    And Elizabeth Elliot spoke truth in yet another one of her books … the need to give my lists and agendas to God to have Him decide which are the to-dos and which need to be dropped.

    I love that we both gleaned wisdom from this wise woman …

    Blessings!

    1. Linda – I read and loved your post. Elisabeth’s writing is truly timeless. Her influence is going to long outlive her. Such a blessing.

      Thank you for sharing!
      Courtney

  2. Thanks Courtney, this video was great! You are like sunshine, do you know that? A great reminder and encouragement to keep focused on my own race, and it’s really uplifting to think that God has good works for me to do, that were planned in advance to do. I was only reading this yesterday in the chapter on good works in Barbara Hughes’ Disciplines of a Godly Woman {have you read it? So good!}

    Hugs x

    1. Sarah – yes! I have read Barbara Hughes’ book and her other one – Disciplines of a Godly Family. It was many years ago (probably about 10). Thanks for reminding me of these books – now I want to go dig them out and reread them!!

      Thank you for sharing!
      Courtney

  3. Thank you Courtney. This post jumped out on my FB newsfeed tonight because I have been praying for a while about balancing priorities. What a great way to clarify them with circles, and I love that you have a circle for REST. That and the home are what usually go first for me too! I am a worship leader, wife, small group co-leader and retail worker… Sometimes I think one has to go (hopefully not the wife one)! 🙂 Anyway, I will be sharing with my small group how this helps, because they have been praying for me too. Thank you for your faithful time in this ministry- I know there are many women who feel the same.

  4. Thank you Courtney!!
    Enjoyed the reminder about not comparing-God made us each unique and what a blessing that is! Thank you-prayers and blessings!

  5. Such wonderful reminders. This jumped out at me while I was on Facebook. I definitely gained a couple more circles in the past year and comparing myself to others just makes me miserable….thanks for the reminder that we all have a unique purpose designed bbc.co y God.

  6. Courtney, thank you so much for that honest and helpful video! I am a huge list maker, planner, and scheduler. I am a stay at home mom of three little ones under 5 and if I didn’t have my lists or follow my daily schedule, I’d be completely lost. If you don’t plan, you really are setting yourself up for failure. Thank you for reminding us that we are uniquely made to live in the life that God has given to us. It’s so easy to forget and begin comparing ourselves to other “super moms.”

  7. What a blessing that God led me to you and your ministry. Loved this video. Do you have any suggestions for a busy lady who can not sleep at night? My priorities are starting to suffer due to sleep issues….

    1. JoJo, you might talk to your doctor about taking Melatonin at bedtime. It helps with indomnia. Hope this helps.

  8. Hi Courtney!

    Thank you for another great video. My daily priorities have changed drastically due to my chronic pain. Some days I can get everything taken care of, and then there are the bad days when nothing gets done. Thru the grace of God, he has patiently taught me that it’s ok if not everything gets done. God gives me only what I can handle for that particular day. Me trying to cram more into the day, than what God has given me, always leads to disaster and me feeling overwhelmed. Dealing with all that goes along with the chronic pain has been very humbling, but also very freeing. Giving my day to day prioritys to God hasn’t been easy, but unlike me, He NEVER gives me more than I can handle. If I was in charge, I would cram my priorities to overflowing, which has disaster written all over it. 🙂

    1. Susan,
      I am right there with you! The last year has been very difficult and I usually feel overwhelmed. I have several health issues that make it hard to do what I want to do -chronic pain, deteriorating muscle disease, etc. Thank you for the reminder that it’s ok not to accomplish everything on my to do list. I am a type a get-ER-done girl so it is hard. I have a little sign on my bathroom mirror that says “I will hold myself to a standard of a Grace-not perfection! Thankful God walks with me every day! Thanks for your post. It encouraged me this morn!

  9. Hi Courtney,

    Thank you for your dedication first of all to God and then to us as women. I am very thankful I found your blog. This video on priorities was excellent. So many times I’m guilty of letting even legitimate things pull me away from my top priorities. Love putting my priorities on a piece of paper…The Good Morning Girls group has been a great help to me. You are a great inspiration and I love your zeal for God! Keep pressing on for His glory!

    Tricia

  10. Wow, I so needed to hear this. I have been feeling overwhelmed and comparing myself to other blogger ladies who post much more frequently than I do (or admittedly willing to do). I knew it wasn’t right for me to compare myself with others, but hearing you speak it out loud really helped!
    I did an embroidery recently with the verse of Ephesians 2:10 and it is sitting on my nightstand waiting to become a pillow, lol, talk about getting a Word!

    1. Siggie –

      Thank you for sharing this because your final sentence said it all – you “did an embroidery recently”. I’ve never embroidered anything in my life! You have an amazing skill I do not have! We are each so unique – keep living out God’s beautiful plan for you with strength and courage.

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  11. My method of controlling the craziness of life has been evolving lately. I used to keep a check list behind a picture frame with a dry erase marker… now I write down my priorities each day along with the weekly menu on an actual white board in the kitchen. Having a visual reminder helps so much.
    Each day as I wipe it clean to start a new day I can either be happy that I reached my goals the day before, or I can remind myself that God has grace for me in the areas I didn’t complete, and I can have grace for myself as well.

  12. It’s becoming clearer to me and I hope it continues… I was made to bless MY family and walk in what God prepared ME to do. I will find the book you recommend and draw out my circles today! Feel the need to re – focus on my individual priorities. Thank you, Courtney for the reminder

  13. Ah, priorities! They can overwhelm at times for any mom. Recently, I’ve found that writing down specific daily tasks each morning is helpful. If I look any further out, much will fall to the wayside. But keeping it on a daily task schedule gives me that boost of encouragement in that I am able to “CHECK!” items off much more quickly than if I look at tasks for the week. Gaining a sense of accomplishment has been the hardest adjustment I’ve had to deal with in becoming a stay at home momma the past five years. I need that daily check list to see what the Lord has asked of me and what I’ve chosen to focus on and complete.

    Also, making sure I have my time in God’s word each day is a priority. When I don’t read his word, my focus is ALWAYS blurred. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Happy Spring!

  14. Most all the women shared on priorities with family and children. My children are out of the house and living away from home now. I don’t have to deal with those types of priorities. But since my job disappeared as a medical transcriptionist, I’ve had to deal with setting my priorities all over again. I have a lot of time on my hands since I’m not transcribing 8 hours a day and feeling overwhelmed with the time frame of getting reports done and sent in.I make a list every morning on my computer sticky note of what I need to focus on each day. I’m trying to find things to do to fill my day. Sounds crazy right? This is so very different for me. I was used to knowing what my day would look like for the past 38 years in this business. I’m looking for ways to outreach in my community, my church, and my neighborhood. This is the phase I’m in right now. Thank you Courtney for your inspiring words and videos. You are truly a blessing to this 58-year-old woman.

    1. Sharon, I have a dear friend who is in similar circumstances – life events have suddenly made her days wide open when they used to packed with kids/activities. She’s also learning to focus and God is allowing her to minster in ways many folks don’t have time to. It’s so very neat to see women pour out in the different seasons of life!

  15. Courtney…So many times when I need God to be right in my face telling me something He does it thru your blog! Thank you!! My husband and I have been struggling with feeling so over extended in our obligations…like you I homeschool, I write our church’s curriculum for our children’s programs and have other obligations at our church, plus just all of the obligations that go with being a wife and mother. I sometimes feel as if I cannot catch myself and think that I need to give something up but I love doing them all. The first things to go in my life are taking care of myself…rest, exercise, and I hurry my time with God (which is something that I should never do) Thank for giving us these suggestions! Today I will take the time to sit down and put my life back in balance and look at what my priorities are and pray about them. I so enjoy your blog!! Thank you !!

  16. Thank you — I needed this. To not compare, to not live randomly, but to pursue what God has called me to do is what I need to focus on!

  17. TFS Courtney! My circles would be work, my son, my home, my walk with God and my Family… Sadly, it no longer includes a husband but I KNOW He has something better in store for me in that regard. I tend to let the house go… just moved into my OWN home a few weeks ago. So, that’s not an option anymore. So so many life-changes, it’s overWHELMING at times. I just pray & turn my focus to HIM.:)

    1. Kelly,

      I’m so sorry for what you have faced with your husband. You have been long suffering with him. I pray that you sense God’s presence with you as you enter this next season of life and may God bless your new home.

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

      1. Thank you so much for your prayers! I’m trying to bring a sense of peace to my new space–so far so good! I’ve got the candles going 😀 And Scriptural Inspiration throughout.

  18. Courtney, I wanted to thank you for all that you do. I am trying to make my first priority reading the scriptures and praying before I get on my facebook. I try and do lists but I am not very consistent. You are encouraging me and I thank you.

  19. Mine is making sure I get time with the lord in the morning , I have woken up late last two day and didn’t get that time , has thrown my day off completly

  20. Hi Courtney,

    Thank you for sharing this video, I appreciate it. Lately, I have been struggling with this a bit, however finding GMG and joining this group of girls to study and soak into the bible has been such a blessing in my life. I’m a college student and sometimes I might not sure I have my priorities the way I should. I do know that waking up early in the morning and reading the word of God makes my whole day a lot better. I think if we put God first in our lives everyday, the priorities in our lives will be more aligned with the will that God has for our lives.

    Thank you again for sharing, you are so sweet and it seems like the videos you post are the ones that I always seem to need in my life. God bless you and your family.

  21. Courtney – thank you for your words reiterating that we as women should not compare ourselves to, or try to live like others. This message is so important in the age of instant updates from Facebook and Twitter. Thank you!

  22. Courtney,

    Thank you for this post. You are such an encouragement. I struggle with comparing myself on every level. It seems to have become worse since I’ve started my homeschool journey with my children. I’m sitting down preparing next year’s curriculum and I keep second-guessing myself on what would be the best “what would she use” questions. I’m completely overwhelmed plus throw in preparing to move overseas. Momma Mia
    Before your post, God has been speaking to me about loving myself and trusting the abilities/gifts He has given me so this was this was truly a blessing to read.

  23. Courtney,

    Thank you for this post. You are such an encouragement. I struggle with comparing myself on every level. It seems to have become worse since I’ve started my homeschool journey with my children. I’m sitting down preparing next year’s curriculum and I keep second-guessing myself on what would be the best “what would she use” questions. I’m completely overwhelmed plus throw in preparing to move overseas. Momma Mia
    Before your post, God has been speaking to me about loving myself and trusting the abilities/gifts He has given me so this was truly a blessing to read.

    God Bless!

  24. Thank you for addressing this question! I’m not a list maker. 😀 But I’m a single mama of 7 (5 at home) after my dh died suddenly and days.are.full. I’ve had to learn to be okay with releasing and letting things go. Every single day, I’ve asked God to order my steps. Quiet time is always priority (hate missing a day!) and then my children and then on down the line. I actually have more to do than I can do, but God has amazingly ordered my steps so that the needed is done. I’ve also prayed that in these busy days, God will allow me to soak every bit of my kids up. I don’t want to miss out b/c of busyness!

  25. Thank you Courtney! Your ministry has blessed me so much. This video is so encouraging. Tonight, hubby will find me with paper and a pen, drawing circles. 😉

    Bless you!

  26. I just want to encourage all you moms out there. I am a stay at home mom. I have two teenagers. I do not have little ones to look after. I do not hold a job outside of the home. And I can’t get it all done. I volunteer at our church. I stay busy with two teens. But believe me no one can do it all. Some of you sweet moms have little ones at home and work an outside job. Some of you are stay at home moms with your little ones. We all struggle with too much on our list. Please don’t feel isolated and alone in your day to day struggles. You are not alone, and you are loved.

    1. Thank you cindy for this, sometimes it feels lonely and like you the only one
      struggling emotionally and mentally.

  27. Thank you so much for this video!!!!!! It was just what I needed to hear for today. I don’t usually watch the videos but for some reason it struck me today to do so. 🙂
    Keep up the great work you are doing, encouraging us all!

  28. Courtney, do you know Terri Savelle Foy’s ministry? She also stresses the importance to plan and priortize. Your ministry is such a blessing. Thank you!

  29. I love your videos!
    I have a little complaint. ):
    I love how you have listed out your priorities. I think that helps so much to focus my mind on what my purpose is. I don’t feel like you hit the head on the nail about how you do it all. I understand Christ is the center, but my question is how.
    Do you get up early every morning? Do you meal prep on Sundays to prepare for the week? Talk about your cleaning schedule or meal plan. I was just hoping for more tips and knowledge on how you do everything.

    Thanks for all the encouragement. I know it can’t be easy to hear complaints. ):

  30. Hi Courtney,

    I really like your idea for the “priority diagram.”You gave great examples of what you put under each circle, except for husband. I am just wondering what kind of priorities you list under husband – I guess I am looking for inspiration.

    Thank you for all that you do and for setting such a good example for a Godly path.

    Lorelai

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