Work and Play with Nancy Ray

Okay. Deep breath everybody. It is time to tackle the holiday schedule. Dare I say, this is the main source of stress that we encounter during the holidays. There are so many different invitations, obligations, so many people and organizations who are all asking something of us. And today I am here to remind you, you get to choose your yeses and your nos. Resources from this episode: Patreon Christian Healthcare Ministries GoodKind - Use the code WORKANDPLAY for 15% off Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Today I'm kicking off a new series on the podcast, and I am giddy about it because it's all about the holidays. We're all thinking about it already. It's the last week of October. We're looking at November and December, and I think we can feel equal parts overwhelmed and excited. So today I am starting a five-part podcast series. It's gonna be very short podcast episodes just to get you thinking about how you can create holidays that are full of joy and contentment. And I'll get into all the details of it. But here's what you can expect. The first episode, which is today, is gonna be about traditions. Next week it's gonna be about creating your holiday schedule. Then the next week, your holiday budget, and then your gifts, and then food. And I'm gonna be sharing all of the things that our family does while also just inviting you to think through and really, I don't know, analyze and consider what you want your holidays to look like. And I'm excited. I'm so excited about this. So I'm glad that you're here. Let's jump in. Resources from this episode: Patreon Episode 33 - Our Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger Duke Chorale Christmas Concert Behold the Lamb of God Album Christmas Jammies A Midnight Clear by John Nilsen Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Hey there! You're in the right place for Work and Play with Nancy Ray. A quick note—the podcast will be taking a break this week (November 2), but I'll be back next week with an exciting new episode. See you then!

There will never be adequate words to describe what these book series have meant to me over the last year. They have been some of the best parts of my life. I kid you not, over the last 12 months, I sobbed at the end of each one. Not an exaggeration. And if I'm honest, today's podcast episode almost didn't happen because I already know it's gonna fall short of what I want to say about each of these series, but I decided to move forward with it because if it encourages you to read them with a kingdom mindset, I believe it will have been worth it. Let's dive into the three best children's series of all time. Resources from this episode: Christian Healthcare Ministries Nancy Ray Book Club Chronicles of Narnia Harry Potter Series The Wing Feather Saga Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

One thing I have realized recently is that all of us in one way or another are seeking wisdom from God in our work. Whether that is working in our home and serving our kids and raising them, or whether it is running a business, managing a team, developing a new product, just maintaining something that we've had for years. As we get older, we need more wisdom. Life continues to get more complicated and more challenging, and especially in our work. And today's episode is gonna be simple. It's gonna be about three promises that we can find in scripture regarding wisdom in our work. Resources from this Podcast: Christian Healthcare Ministries Proverbs 8:1–11 James 1:5 Proverbs 3:5–6

Okay. I felt like it was just time for a more lighthearted podcast episode and that is why I am bringing you 10 things that are saving my life, fall edition. Are they actually saving my life? No, but they're really helping it and I think they're making my fall a little bit better, and I'm just gonna share those things with you today. So I hope you enjoy listening. Resources from this episode: Christian Healthcare Ministries Artificial Pumpkins from Walmart Option 1 Option 2 A'Del Cosmetics Lululemon Socks Sam's Club Summer Moon Coffee - Moon Milk Creamer Every Moment Holy Books William Sonoma - Mulling Spices Chunky Knit Blanket The WingFeather Saga Series Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

I had a friend recently ask me, "How in the world do you do chores in your family with all four of your kids?" And I thought that would be a great podcast episode. So today I am gonna share with you how we do chores in the Ray household. Resources from this episode: Chore Chart Dry erase pockets 3M small Hooks Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Okay, confession. I am a major time management junkie and I love it. I love planning. I love buying my new calendar for the year and getting my favorite pens and highlighters and making a plan and writing an appointments and making lists. I love managing stuff. I love managing my time. And today I'm gonna share with you five of my favorite time management tools that have really helped me through the years because we all have 24 hours in a day, but it all comes down to how we manage our time. Resources from this episode: Windblown Jewelry Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend Episode 204 - Ideal Week Ideal Week Planning Worksheet Time Timer 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam Weekly Time Log Mastermind Patreon Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Today, I am gonna be telling you all about how I create a strategy for my life. And I know that sounds very broad and possibly overwhelming, but hang with me because I feel like I have been given some amazing tools to help me in four main areas of my life: my faith, my home, my work, and my legacy or my life overall. So that's what we're gonna talk about today, how to create a strategy for your life. If you're feeling like you need some clarity, then this episode is for you. Resources from this episode: Episode 002 - Rule of Life Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero Mastermind Patreon Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

While so many women wear multitasking as a badge of honor, I will readily admit that I am the worst at multitasking. I—it's terrible. I get so distracted and cannot do it. And I'll be frank, this has not served me well in motherhood because the interruptions are great and we'll talk a little bit about that. But today I just wanna share my thoughts on multitasking and how it doesn't help anyone and how it's so much better if we can focus on one thing at a time. Resources from this episode: Single Tasking by Devora Zack Episode 205 - Be where your feet are Deep Work by Cal Newport Time Timer Mastermind Patreon Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!