Why You Feel Behind (Even Though You’re Not)

Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY - LittleThingsStudio.com If you’ve been doing all the right things showing up, staying responsible, keeping life moving and still feel behind, you’re not alone. That “I should be further along” feeling isn’t a failure signal. It’s a growth signal. You’re not behind on a checklist. You’re outgrowing a season. That tension you feel is what happens when the life you’ve built no longer matches who you’re becoming. When you’re ready for more, the familiar starts to feel too small. And pushing harder won’t fix it moving differently will. Today, we’re breaking down why this feeling shows up, what it’s trying to tell you, and how to step into your next chapter with clarity instead of pressure. You’re not late. You’re right on time for what’s next.   Timestamps: (02:18) - The 3 Real Reasons You Can’t Shake That “Behind” Feeling (02:55) - Identity Lag: When Your Life Hasn’t Caught Up to Your Growth (04:00) - Completion Bias: Why Finished Feels Better Than Progress (05:20) - Negativity Weighting: Why Your Brain Fixates on What’s Missing (11:19) - Practical Steps to Finally Stop Feeling Behind WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    The Weekly Focus Filter Wise Woman Era Start your Free 30-day trial of Uplift!   I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!    xo, Alli

Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY - LittleThingsStudio.com   My guest today is a longtime friend of the show, and every time he joins us, you love him. It’s the brilliant and hilarious Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and truly one of the funniest humans walking the earth. Today, we’re digging into what procrastination really looks like. Not the obvious kind where you’re scrolling instead of working, but the sneaky version that hides inside your productivity. The kind that shows up even when your calendar is full, and you’re checking all the boxes. Jon breaks down why the thing you keep almost starting is costing you more than you think and how to finally stop circling it and actually move forward. I’m sharing what this looks like in my own life, too, because wow… it hits close to home. If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just start the thing?” This episode is your new favorite. It’s packed with clarity, encouragement, and practical tools to help you communicate with yourself (and others) in a healthier way. You may want to listen twice.   Timestamps: (10:44) - When Planning Turns Into Procrastination (And How to Spot It) (12:54) - The Simple Framework That Helps You Actually Finish Things (17:09) - The Hustler’s Trap and Jon’s Surprisingly Smart Way to Use AI (22:23) - Auditioning Your Ideas: When to Keep Going and When to Let Go (27:41) -  Burned Out or Just Bored? How to Tell the Difference WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE Links to great things we discussed:    Procrastination Proof: Never Get Stuck Again Jon’s Show Recommendations - House of David, The Chosen, & Young Sherlock Jon’s Book Recommendations - Theo of Golden & The Road Less Stupid Jon’s Product Recommendations - Tom Bihn Briefcase, Blackwing Pencils, & F3 Wise Woman Era The Uplift app is here!  Purchase your Mother’s Journal TODAY I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!    xo, Alli

Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY There’s always that woman you admire. The one stepping into bold, meaningful work while you’re still sitting with your coffee, wondering if you’re even allowed to start. We all have her in our minds—the woman who seems braver, more polished, more prepared. But here’s the truth most people miss: she’s probably not more qualified than you. She’s just more willing to try. Today I’m recording my 500th episode, and I can promise you this—if I had waited until I felt fully ready, this show would never have existed. Not one episode. Not one conversation. Not one life changed. No fancy studio. No perfect plan. Just cardboard boxes stacked around me, a cheap microphone, and the courage to begin before I felt qualified. And that tiny, imperfect start turned into a podcast that’s reached millions. If you’re searching for the courage to begin, or Googling “how to start before you’re ready,” let me save you some time: readiness is a myth. Confidence grows from action, not the other way around. Today I’m sharing what 500 episodes taught me about starting scared, showing up imperfectly, and choosing obedience over overthinking. Because the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn’t talent or training—it’s willingness.   Timestamps:   (05:14) - The Truth About That Woman You Admire: She’s Not More Qualified, Just More Willing to Try (05:26) - The Lie We Believe About Being “Qualified” Before We Begin (07:18) - The Real Superpower: Why Willingness Beats Talent Every Time (08:00) - Feeling Behind? Here’s the Truth About Your Timing (09:35) - Practical Next Steps: How to Start Before You Feel Ready   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    The Weekly Focus Filter Wise Woman Era Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY  I hope you loved this episode! 🎉Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss a thing. And guess what? We're on YouTube! If you're loving the content, show us some love by leaving a review and giving us some stars—it means the world to me! Take care, and stay fabulous!    xo, Alli

Get Your Mother’s Journal TODAY -   Jason VanRuler is back on the show today, and we’re diving into something every relationship relies on, but most of us get wrong: communication. Because here’s the truth—so many of us think we’re communicating well when we’re really just talking. Jason breaks down five communication styles and why understanding yours (and your spouse’s) can completely shift the way you connect. I share what I’ve learned about my own style, what my husband’s looks like from the other side, and why I’m fully embracing my delightfully high‑maintenance era. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, That’s not what I meant at all, this episode will give you the language, clarity, and tools you need for healthier communication and stronger relationships. It’s practical, eye‑opening, and a whole lot more hopeful than you might expect.   Timestamps: (03:30) - The 5 Communication Styles (And Which One You Are) (10:51) - On-Ramps & Off-Ramps: Why Conversations Go Wrong (16:25) - Why Intention Changes Everything (20:42) - The Real Secret to Hard Conversations (24:28) -  Learning to Recognize Your Needs and Give Yourself Permission to Honor Them   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    Discovering Your Communication Type PATHS Assessment Jason’s TV Show Recommendation - Train Dreams Jason’s Book Recommendation - Thinking in Systems Jason’s Product Recommendations - Moreless Protein Gummies Wise Woman Era The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days. I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!    xo, Alli  

Subscribe to Alli's  Substack - Wise Woman Method    Gratitude is a spiritual discipline, and it’s one of the clearest signs of real maturity. But sometimes—without meaning to—we use “being grateful” as a way to stay small. Not the deep, steady gratitude that roots you in God’s goodness. I’m talking about the polished, performative version. The one where you keep saying, “I’m so blessed,” while something inside you feels like it’s slowly running out of air. Today, we’re unpacking the difference between gratitude that strengthens your emotional and spiritual health and gratitude that quietly keeps you stuck. Because gratitude was never meant to shrink your life. It’s meant to fuel your growth. Staying small isn’t the same thing as staying faithful.   Timestamps: (03:20) - The Gratitude Tension: Is It Anchoring You or Quietly Chaining You in Place? (04:50) - The Striving Question That Reveals What’s Really Driving You (06:07) - The Parable of the Talents: What Happens When Fear Makes Us Do Nothing (07:35) - How to Recognize When Gratitude Has Quietly Become a Chain (08:45) - Practical Ways to Practice Gratitude Without Staying Stuck WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    Alli’s Product Recommendation - Soft Kettlebell Join Alli’s Substack – Wise Woman Era Start your Free 30-day trial of Uplift! I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!    xo, Alli

Apply for Coaching with Alli  - https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching   Some truths are just too good—and too important—to hear only once. That’s why I’m bringing back the standout moments from my most-loved solo episodes. Because real, lasting change doesn’t happen in a single spark of insight. It grows through repetition, reflection, and the small, faithful steps you take over time. We need truth on repeat until it stops feeling like inspiration and starts feeling like instinct. These aren’t fluffy pep talks. They’re practical, science-backed strategies to help you lower your stress, raise your joy, and reconnect with the woman you’re becoming. When your mind and body finally stop fighting each other and start working together, everything shifts. You don’t just get through your days—you lead, you create, and you live with intention. So take what serves you, leave what doesn’t, and come back anytime you need a reset or a reminder of what’s possible when you show up for yourself with courage and consistency.   Timestamps: (01:00) - Simple Action Steps to Build a Life You Actually Love (07:28) - Why a Physical Reset (and a Change of Scenery) Might Be Exactly What You Need (11:30) - How to Manage Stress Before It Manages You (15:52) - The 10-Minute Happiness Hack That Can Literally Rewire Your Brain (20:24) - Game-Changing Steps to Start Partnering With Your Body This Week   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE Links to great things we discussed:    Wise Woman Era The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days.   I hope you loved this episode! 🎉If you haven’t already, make sure you tap that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode. And yes—we’re on YouTube now too! If the show has been a bright spot for you, leaving a review or a few stars is such a gift. It truly means the world to me. Take good care of yourself, and keep showing up with joy. Share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it too! xo, Alli

Apply for Coaching with Alli  - https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching Have you noticed how your spirit can be at a ten—full of vision and faith—while your body lags at a two? Maybe three on a good day. It’s not “I need a nap” tired. It’s “I know my calling, but I still can’t do it” tired. Because we’re human, we blame ourselves. We think it’s discipline, grit, or a flaw we should’ve fixed by now.   What if the gap between vision and action isn’t about your character, but your capacity? You have big dreams, but you’re running on limited energy. Today, let’s discuss how upgrading your nervous system can align your calling with your ability to act.   Timestamps: (00:58) - You’ve Got the Vision. So Why Isn’t Your Body Cooperating? (03:45) - Understanding Your “Window of Tolerance” (06:50) - The Honest Question: Does Staying Put Feel Safer? (08:22) - Simple Tools to Increase Your Capacity for the Calling   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    Wise Woman Era Start your Free 30-day trial of Uplift! I hope you loved this episode! 🎉If you haven’t already, make sure you tap that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode. And yes—we’re on YouTube now too! If the show has been a bright spot for you, leaving a review or a few stars is such a gift. It truly means the world to me. Take good care of yourself, and keep showing up with joy. Share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it too! xo, Alli

Get a Free Coaching Call with Alli - https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching    Hearing God’s voice is a profound gift for believers. Yet, many of us wonder, "Why is this so complicated?" If you question whether you’re doing it wrong, take a deep breath. You’re not broken or missing God—more likely, you haven’t discovered your unique way of hearing Him. ​ This week, I’m joined by my friend Havilah Cunnington—Bible teacher, author, and passionate guide for those seeking God’s intent for their lives. She helps demystify hearing from God, making the process less intimidating and more understandable. ​ In her book Created to Hear God: 4 Unique and Proven Ways to Confidently Discern His Voice, Havilah explains how discovering your “prophetic personality”—the unique way God speaks to you—makes hearing His voice clear, personal, and natural.   Timestamps:  (11:00) - How to Discern God’s Voice from Your Own Thoughts (12:38) - The 3 Core Values That Create a Foundation for Hearing God Clearly (16:33) - You Were Designed to Hear God (20:15) - The 4 Prophetic Personalities and How to Discover Yours (23:52) - The Four Primary Ways God Speaks   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:  Havilah’s Website Created to Hear God The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days   I hope you loved this episode! 🎉If you haven’t already, make sure you tap that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode. And yes—we’re on YouTube now too! If the show has been a bright spot for you, leaving a review or a few stars is such a gift. It truly means the world to me. Take good care of yourself, and keep showing up with joy. Share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it too! xo,   Alli

Get a Free Coaching Call with Alli - https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching    Let me start with a splash of cold water—in the best, wake‑you‑up way. Your life isn’t too full. It’s just poorly edited. No planner, color‑coded calendar, or shiny new system can fix a life overcrowded on purpose.   When I wrote Breaking Busy ten years ago, I said we wear busy like a badge of honor. We treat overwhelm like a scheduling problem, waiting for better time management. But, friend, you don’t have a time problem. You have a discernment problem.   You’re trying to squeeze 30 hours of yes into a 24‑hour day, and the one paying is you—your joy, health, and clarity. Today, we’re shifting from the chaos of “more” to the power of “meaningful”.   Timestamps:  (03:17) - Why We See a Packed Calendar and Decide the Only Option Is to Run Faster (05:16) - The Director’s Cut: Learning to Edit Your Life on Purpose (06:45) - The Fear Underneath the Busy That We Don’t Want to Admit (07:56) - Jesus as Our Model for a Well-Edited, Unhurried Life (09:05) - Practical Steps to Start Editing Your Life This Week   WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    Wise Woman Era Alli’s Movie Recommendation - Hamnet Little Things Studio Start your Free 30-day trial of Uplift! I hope you loved this episode! 🎉If you haven’t already, make sure you tap that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode. And yes—we’re on YouTube now too! If the show has been a bright spot for you, leaving a review or a few stars is such a gift. It truly means the world to me. Take good care of yourself, and keep showing up with joy. Share this episode with a friend who might enjoy it too! xo, Alli

Get A Free Coaching Call with Alli  -https://alliworthington.com/freecoaching    These episodes are favorites because I gather leading voices on a single topic to help you learn practical ways to set boundaries and find genuine, lasting rest. Today, we focus on both boundaries and soul-deep rest—essentials we all need but often neglect.   We’re talking about healthy boundaries, Sabbath rhythms, the invisible pressures women face, and practical ways to build rest into your life so you can experience greater renewal and resilience. These conversations share hard-won wisdom from those who have lived, studied, and practiced it.   If you’ve ever thought, “I need better boundaries,” or “I wish I could rest, but my life won’t let me,” this episode is for you. You have permission to rest. Choose one practical strategy from today’s episode and make space for rest this week. We’re not just talking about rest—we’re making room for it.   Timestamps:  (00:45) -The Hidden Cost of Busyness with John Mark Comer (08:20) - Rewriting the Story We’ve Been Told About Work and Rest in Christian Culture with Terra Mattson (14:08) - The Big Boundary Mistakes Women Make with Dr. Sasha Shillcutt (18:47) - Why Your Soul Needs Sabbath with John Mark Comer (22:32) - Practical, Real-Life Ways to Build Rest Into Your Week with Jess Connolly WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    John Mark Comer’s Website Terra Mattson’s Website Dr. Sasha Shillcutt’s Website Jess Connolly’s Website The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days   I hope you loved this episode! 🎉 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you’re always in the loop. And hey, while you're at it, why not pop over to our YouTube channel and check us out? If you're feeling the love, leave a review and sprinkle some stars—your support truly means the world to me! Take care, and keep shining bright!    xo, Alli