Have you ever felt a tug on your heart that maybe—just maybe—there’s more to your work than checking off tasks and earning a paycheck? Whether your “work” is a traditional 9-to-5 job, the sacred role of motherhood, volunteer efforts, creative pursuits, or simply showing up for the everyday responsibilities of life, this episode is for you.
In today’s episode of The Be Still With Bobbi podcast, we’re diving deep into what it truly means to love what you do—regardless of whether the world defines it as “work.” We’ll explore how redefining your relationship with work, shifting your perspective, and bringing intention and stillness into your days can transform even the most ordinary tasks into something meaningful.
I’ll share why choosing love over obligation changes everything, how to recognize when it’s time for a change, and why rest, healing, and God’s guidance might just be the most important work you do.
And be sure to listen through to the end—I’m speaking directly to the woman who feels torn between nurturing her family and pursuing her own dreams. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re allowed to want more—more purpose, more joy, and yes, even more income—without losing yourself in the process, this episode will be a breath of fresh air.
Grab your journal, find a quiet spot, and let’s explore how to love the work you do in every season of life. ❤️
Key Moments in This Episode:
Minute 5:50: Redefining What Work Means
Minute 11:05: Choosing Love Over Obligation
Minute 18:20: Bringing Stillness and Intention Into Your Workday
Minute 25:05: Knowing When it’s Time for Change
Minute 31:30: Embracing the Desire for Income & Impact – A New Approach for Women
Minute 34:40: Embracing Seasons of Rest & Healing
Hi, everyone! Welcome back to the Be Still With Bobbi podcast. I’m so glad you’re here today.
We’re continuing our February series all about love, and today, we’re talking about something that impacts so much of our lives—our work. And when I say “work,” I don’t just mean the kind of work that shows up on a resume. I’m talking about all of it—the work we do in our careers, in our homes, in our communities, and in our everyday routines.
This episode is for everyone. Whether you’re working a traditional 9-to-5, building a business, homeschooling your kids, managing a household, volunteering, or any combination of these—there is work woven into every day of our lives. And it’s work that can either drain us or fill us up.
I’ll be honest, I’ve had seasons where my work did not bring me joy. Where I felt like I was just grinding through the day, checking off boxes, and wondering if this was really what life was supposed to feel like. But I’ve also had seasons (like the one I’m in currently) where my work feels deeply aligned—where I wake up with a sense of purpose and end my days with a full heart.
What I’ve learned along the way is this: finding joy in our work isn’t about waiting for the perfect job, the perfect season, or the perfect set of circumstances. It’s about choosing to show up differently. It’s about learning how to approach your work with intention, presence, and gratitude, no matter what your “work” looks like right now.
And it’s also about leaning in when a shift is needed – in the work itself – and being willing to get really intentional about what’s next.
When I first started my coaching practice back in 2009, I was a career coach. I helped people transition from one job to another, and even from one field to a completely new path. And before that, I worked as a recruiter, guiding people through the job search process and helping them find new opportunities.
What I observed during those years was fascinating. People who craved change—who wanted a new job, a fresh start, or a complete career pivot—would often start out full of energy and ideas. But when it came time to take action, fear and skepticism would creep in. Instead of dreaming boldly about what might be possible, they’d default to what felt safe. Instead of stepping into something new, they’d settle for what was right in front of them.
This isn’t just a pattern in our careers—it shows up in every area of our work and life. It’s why so many of us say “yes” to volunteer opportunities out of obligation instead of genuine desire. It’s why we stay in routines that feel stale, even when our hearts are longing for something different. It’s why we find ourselves wasting hours each week, scrolling through our phones or numbing out, because we feel stuck but aren’t sure how to break free.
I want today’s episode to be an invitation—a chance to get really honest about the work you’re doing and whether or not it truly brings you joy. Not because you should be chasing a “dream job” or expecting every moment to feel like sunshine and rainbows. But because our work, whether it’s folding laundry, leading a team, or showing up for a friend, is a huge part of our lives. And I believe with all my heart that God wants us to find joy, purpose, and fulfillment in the work He’s given us to do.
So today, we’re going to talk about how to bring more intention and gratitude into our work, how to recognize when something feels out of alignment, and how to take small, meaningful steps toward a life where our work feels like a gift, not just a grind.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected, unfulfilled, or just plain tired of going through the motions—this episode is for you.
But, before we dive in, I want to encourage you to stick around until the very end of this episode. I’ll be sharing a special message specifically for the woman who feels a deep longing to create, contribute, and earn an income—but who also feels the weight of all the roles she’s already carrying.
If you’ve ever wondered how to reconcile your desire for meaningful work with the demands of everyday life—or if you’ve struggled to give yourself permission to rest and heal in a season of waiting—this part of the episode is for you. I’ll be speaking directly to your heart, offering encouragement, and sharing how you can partner with God to create something beautiful and aligned, without burning yourself out. You won’t want to miss it!”
So, take a deep breath, grab your journal, and let’s dive into how you can truly love the work you do, every single day.
When we think of the word “work,” most of us default to thinking about our jobs—our careers, our nine-to-fives, the tasks we do to earn a living. And while that is certainly part of it, I want to invite you into a broader definition of the word “work.”
Because the truth is, work isn’t just what we do for a paycheck. It’s everything we pour our time, energy, and heart into. It’s the way we serve our families, show up for our friends, contribute to our communities, and create rhythms in our everyday lives. It’s the way we use our hands, our minds, and our hearts to make a difference, even in the smallest of ways.
For some of us, work might look like managing a team or running a business. For others, it might mean homeschooling our kids, taking care of our homes, or volunteering behind the scenes. It might be the emotional labor of nurturing relationships, the creative work of pursuing a passion, or the practical tasks that keep life moving forward.
It might even be the unseen work of healing, resting, and preparing for a new season.
I think sometimes we feel a sense of discontentment with our work because we’ve unknowingly put it into a very narrow compartment. We think, “If I’m not getting paid for this, it doesn’t count.” Or, “If my work isn’t producing a tangible result, it must not matter.” But nothing could be further from the truth.
When we redefine what work truly means, we create space for so much more grace, joy, and fulfillment. We start to recognize the sacredness of the everyday moments. We see the beauty in the quiet, seemingly ordinary tasks. We begin to honor the work we do, even when no one else sees it.
The problem is, when we only define work as things that are outwardly visible or traditionally valued, we can miss out on so much of what God is doing in and through us. We can dismiss the quiet moments where real life is happening. We can overlook the incredible work of simply being present, listening, and loving well.
That’s why I want to invite you into this redefinition. Because when you broaden your perspective of what work truly is, you’ll start to see that your life is already filled with meaningful work.
You may not need to overhaul your career, move across the country, or make a massive life change. You might just need to look at your life through a new lens—one that allows you to find joy, purpose, and fulfillment in the work you’re already doing.
Really, take a few minutes with these questions. Write down whatever comes up, even if it feels messy or incomplete. Sometimes, the most powerful insights come when we allow ourselves to be honest and unfiltered. And most importantly, acknowledge the work you do. It all matters.
And remember: You are not defined by your productivity or by what you produce. You are already enough. The work you do matters—not because of the results, but because of the heart you bring to it.
Once you’ve had a chance to reflect on all you do through an honest lens. I want to take a look at a different way of shifting your perspective – choosing love over obligation.
Here’s what I mean by this. One of the most significant shifts we can make in learning to love our work is moving from a mindset of obligation to a mindset of love. And I know—this might sound a little idealistic at first. But hang with me, because this shift has the power to transform not only what you do, but how you feel about it.
Obligation says:
“I have to.”
“I should.”
“There’s no other option.”
“I’m stuck.”
Love says:
“I get to.”
“I choose to.”
“This is an opportunity.”
“I’m grateful.”
Let’s unpack this a little bit.
When we approach our work—whether that’s our job, our household responsibilities, or the ways we serve others—from a place of obligation, it drains us. It feels heavy. We might do the work, but there’s a sense of resistance and resentment that follows us around like a dark cloud. It turns even the simplest tasks into burdens.
But when we choose to approach the same work from a place of love, everything shifts. Suddenly, what felt like a chore can become an act of service. What felt like drudgery can become an opportunity to connect with God, to find joy in the ordinary, and to live with more purpose.
And I want to be clear: Choosing love over obligation doesn’t mean you’ll always feel excited about every task. It also doesn’t mean I want you to fake your way into a happy mindset. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’ll never experience frustration or being tired. But it does mean that you can consciously decide to bring a different energy and a different intention into whatever it is you’re doing.
A Personal Story:
I personally have felt both the obligation of certain seasons and conversely, the love. I feel like these days, given my girls’ ages – they’re 12 and 14 right now – we’ve hit a really sweet spot. They’re old enough to be helpful and independent. But still young enough to value the time and relationship with me at home.
But it wasn’t that long ago that I remember when I was completely overwhelmed with the everyday tasks of being a mom. It felt like everything was on my shoulders—meals, laundry, schoolwork, keeping the house running. I would move through my days with this cloud of “have to” hanging over me.
And then, one day, I was sitting in the stillness, and I felt God whisper, “What if you approached this with love?” At first, I resisted. I thought, “There is nothing lovely about cleaning up the kitchen for the third time today.” But as I sat with it, I began to see what He meant. It wasn’t about loving the tasks themselves—it was about loving the people I was doing them for. And it was also about loving myself enough to create a peaceful environment. It was about loving God by offering my work as an act of worship.
The change didn’t happen overnight. But little by little, I started to notice the shift. I would wipe down the countertops and breathe a prayer of gratitude. I would cook a meal and think about how nourishing my family is an expression of love. I would drive my kids to their activities and turn it into sacred time—listening to them, sharing stories, being present and laughing – knowing one day soon, they’ll be driving themselves.
And do you know what happened in the midst of all that? The work itself didn’t change, but the weight of it did. It became lighter. There was more joy, more peace, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
Give yourself permission to be honest with this. If something feels hard, write it down. If you catch yourself avoiding certain tasks each week – pay closer attention to those. If the idea of choosing love feels like a stretch, that’s okay too. Just bring it into the light, and invite God to meet you there.
Because when you choose love—even in the smallest ways—you invite God’s presence into your work. You create room for joy. And you begin to see that all of your work, even the most ordinary tasks, can become sacred.
One of the most powerful ways to transform how you feel about your work—whether it’s your career, your home life, or the daily tasks on your to-do list—is to start your day with stillness, journaling, and prayer, but also to bring stillness and intention into every other part of your day.
The truth is, no matter what “work” looks like for you, it’s easy to fall into autopilot mode. You wake up, dive into your responsibilities, and before you know it, the day has flown by, and you’re left wondering where all the time went. You may have been busy, but were you present? Did you experience any joy, or did you simply push through to get to the end of the day?
I believe with my whole heart that stillness is the ideal starting point for your day.
Because stillness is the foundation. It’s where you set the tone for your day. Before you check your phone, before you jump into your tasks, and before the world starts to pull at you—create space to be still. This doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. Just a few minutes to breathe, center yourself, and connect with God. To ask him, in earnest, “What do you have for me today?”
I can tell you the life-changing, groundbreaking shift this one question has had on my life. I started asking this question in the midst of my divorce. When everything felt upside down and I could barely drag myself out of bed because the dis-ease of that season was so thick, I didn’t know how I would ever make it through a whole day.
And so I would end each journal entry with this one question, “What do you have for me today, God?”
Knowing his answer would be the simplest, most basic instruction. Because he knew “simple” was all I was capable of.
But something happened when I established this practice. Over time, I realized that it wasn’t just my really hard season that warranted this very simple question. Even as I began settling into life after divorce, this question became the anchor of my days.
I noticed whenever I asked this question, the answer was always simple. Not because I couldn’t handle more than the bare minimum but because God’s provision is so extraordinary that my role is merely to execute the basics and let him do the rest. This also makes my task list much shorter. Because when I get to the end of a day, and it appears I got nothing done – I can look back at the one task God gave me for that day and see progress. Because if God’s task is the only thing I did, I can consider my day an absolute success.
I promise you – when you start with stillness, you’re grounding yourself in peace and love before stepping into productivity. And because of this, you’re far more likely to approach your work with intention instead of simply reacting to whatever comes your way.
On the rare occasion, I happen to skip my stillness practice, I can feel it. I’m more distracted, more easily frustrated, and less connected to the bigger picture of why I’m doing what I’m doing. But when I’ve taken even just five minutes to be still, I move through my day with a sense of purpose and clarity that carries me through, even when things get hectic.
Infusing Intention into Your Day:
And once you’ve grounded yourself in stillness, the next step is to move through your day with intention. This means showing up to your work—whatever it may be—with a clear sense of why it matters.
Infusing intention into your day can be so simple but has the potential to completely change the outcome of any given day.
I like to think of my day as a journey along a winding path. Each task, each conversation, and each responsibility is a stepping stone along the way. Before I step onto the next stone, I pause, take a breath, and ask, “How do I want to move forward on this path?”
Sometimes, my answer is, “I want to walk slowly and take in the scenery.” Other times, it’s, “I want to step boldly forward and make progress,” or, “I want to tread gently because this moment needs extra care.”
This simple visualization helps me approach my work each day with more intention. It reminds me that I am not rushing to a finish line but walking a path of purpose. And the timeline is my own. Each step matters, and when I move with intention, I can find beauty and meaning even in the smallest of tasks.
Take these questions into your quiet time. Write down what comes up. And as you move through your day, keep coming back to that sense of stillness and intention. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, being present, and letting God guide you—one small step at a time.
Now, all of what we’ve talked about so far – as it relates to finding love and purpose in the work you’re already doing—is based on the idea that your “work” is in alignment with who you are and what you want. But I would be remiss if I didn’t also talk about what happens when, despite our best efforts, the love just isn’t there.
Because sometimes, the truth is, we’re being called into something new.
And that is not only okay—it’s beautiful.
If you’ve been listening to this episode and there’s a little voice in your head saying, “But Bobbi, I’ve tried all of this. I’ve tried shifting my perspective. I’ve tried bringing stillness into my day. I’ve tried looking for the good—and I still feel out of alignment,” then I want to speak directly to that.
Because it might mean that God is preparing you for a change. For something new.
One of the ways I discern whether it’s time for a change in my own life is through … you guessed it … stillness. I know. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for any length of time, you know – it all comes back to the stillness.
I’ve shared before how sitting in stillness allows me to hear God’s voice more clearly—to pick up on those divine breadcrumbs He leaves along the path. And one of the most powerful breadcrumbs I’ve ever received is the feeling of restlessness.
Not the kind of restlessness that comes from boredom or impatience, but a deeper, more persistent nudge. The kind of restlessness that feels like I’m wearing a sweater that doesn’t fit right—where everything feels a bit uncomfortable, and nothing I do can make it feel better.
Have you ever felt that?
If you have, I want you to consider this: What if that restlessness isn’t something to avoid? What if it’s an invitation? What if it’s God saying, “There’s something more for you, but you need to trust me enough to let go of what you know in order to find it”?
Here’s where it gets tricky, though. Because most of us? We don’t like change. Even when we know deep down that something needs to shift, we often cling to what’s familiar because the unknown feels too scary.
And I get that. I’ve been there. More times than I care to admit.
When I first started walking through the process of divorce, the number one question people asked me was, “What are you going to do for work?”
I had been a stay-at-home mom for a number of years leading up to that point. And while I’d also had a very small side business in interior design, I’d already known I was transitioning out of design and leaving room for something new to grow.
I found myself standing at a precipice.
Would I do the most logical thing and get a 9-to-5 job? Would I revamp my interior design business in an effort to grow it into something full-time?
Neither of those options felt in alignment with my heart.
I was feeling a deeper nudge that I couldn’t ignore. It was a feeling that God was asking me to expand—to no longer help people create beautiful homes but to help them create more beautiful lives. To step back into coaching in a new way than I’d done in the past. To step fully into the work I do now, talking about stillness, purpose, journaling, and creating a more intentional life.
And let me tell you, that shift was not an easy one. There were days when I wondered if I was making a huge mistake. Days when I was tempted to go back to what I knew—because at least that was safe. At least that was familiar.
But I also knew this: The safe choice and the right choice are often not the same thing.
Sometimes, God calls us out of the boat and into the water. Sometimes, He asks us to trust Him enough to take the first step before we can see the entire path. And if we’re too afraid to leave the safety of the shore, we’ll never experience the fullness of what He has planned for us.
If this is resonating with you—if you feel like God is calling you into something new, but you’re not sure what it is yet—I want you to sit with that. Take it to your journal. Bring it into your quiet time.
Ask God:
You don’t have to figure it all out today. You don’t need a 5-year plan. You just need a willingness to ask the questions—and to listen for the answers. Stepping stones on the path, remember? God’s not going to shove you off the cliff, but he is going to invite you down the path, even if you can’t see what’s up around the bend.
Before we near the end of this episode, I want to gift you with this: It’s okay to outgrow the work you once loved. It’s okay to feel a shift in your spirit. It’s okay to admit that the work that once brought you joy no longer feels like a fit.
It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It doesn’t mean you’ve wasted time. It simply means you’re evolving. And as you evolve, so will the work God calls you to do.
The beauty of a stillness practice is that it keeps you connected to your true self. It allows you to hear God’s voice when He whispers, “This is the way; walk with me.” It gives you the clarity to discern when it’s time to dig in and find joy in your current work—and when it’s time to bravely step into the new.
So if you feel the nudge, if you sense the restlessness, if you know deep down that God is inviting you into a new season, I want you to know this: You are not alone. I’m cheering you on. And more importantly, God is leading the way.
Let Him take your hand. Let Him show you what’s next. And trust that whatever work He calls you to, it will be filled with purpose, love, and light.
Before we wrap up this episode, I want to take a moment to speak directly to the women listening to this episode—the women who wear so many hats, who love their families fiercely, and who often find themselves balancing the roles of wife, mom, caretaker, homemaker, and so much more.
You are the glue that holds so much together. You are the heartbeat of your home. But I also know that many of you carry a quiet, persistent longing—to not only serve those you love but also to create something that is yours. To earn an income. To build a legacy. To contribute to your family’s financial well-being. To feel the deep satisfaction of creating, contributing, and being compensated for the work you do.
And I want you to know – that longing is not selfish. It’s not wrong. It is a God-given desire, and it is worth paying attention to.
Here’s where it gets tricky, though. Because somewhere along the way, society handed us an impossible script. One that says we should not only manage our homes, raise our children, and keep everything running smoothly—but we should also “make it big” in our careers. We’re surrounded by narratives of women who “retire their husbands,” build seven-figure businesses from home, or run side hustles that seem to produce wealth overnight.
It’s no wonder we feel this pressure—to do more, to be more, to strive for some elusive version of success. And while those stories can be inspiring, they can also feel heavy. They can make us believe that if we’re not hustling at that level, we’re somehow falling behind.
But here’s the truth: You are not required to do it the same way everyone else is doing it. You don’t have to subscribe to the “all or nothing” mentality. You can build an income, create something meaningful, and still honor your role as a mom, a wife, a caregiver, and a woman with her own needs and desires.
This is where stillness becomes so powerful. Because when we carve out time to sit in the quiet, to journal, to pray, and to simply be with God—we create space for His vision to come through. We shift from the hustle of “How can I make money?” to the peace of “What do you have for me, God?”
Instead of scrambling for the next opportunity, we start to receive ideas that are perfectly aligned with who we are. Instead of chasing trends, we listen for divine direction. Instead of burning the candle at both ends, we allow God to orchestrate the right opportunities at the right time.
Here’s what I believe: When we sit in stillness, we start to dream from a place of possibility, not from a place of lack.
What would it look like if you allowed yourself to dream? To imagine what it could feel like to earn income in a way that feels light, joyful, and fully aligned with your gifts? What if, instead of hustling and grinding, you invited God into the process and allowed Him to show you a path forward that feels almost too good to be true?
I also want to talk about something that rarely gets mentioned in conversations about work and income—especially for women. And that’s the season of rest and healing.
There are seasons in our lives where the work we are meant to do is not the kind that produces a paycheck. It’s the work of healing after a baby, resting after surgery, or finding our footing after a major life change like a move or a divorce.
I know this season well. When I walked through my divorce, I had so many dreams. I wanted to build this business, host this podcast, and pour my heart into helping other women. But I also knew that I couldn’t sprint into this new chapter without first allowing myself to rest, recover, and heal.
There were days when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. Days when I had to remind myself that rest is not a luxury—it is a necessity. And looking back now, I realize that those quiet seasons, those sometimes painfully slow seasons, were actually some of the most productive of my life.
Because they allowed me to fill my cup so that when it was time to move forward, I could do so with my whole heart.
If you are in a season of rest or healing right now, I want to affirm that for you. Your work might not look like a paycheck or a project or a tangible result. Your work might be the unseen, quiet work of allowing yourself to just be. And that is holy, sacred work.
Active rest is a way of preparing for what’s next.
Resting is not passive. It is active. It is creating space in your life to receive God’s direction. It is stepping back so that you can see more clearly. It is trusting that even when it feels like nothing is happening, God is preparing you for what comes next.
When we embrace rest, we allow God to rebuild us. We allow Him to fill in the gaps, to heal the wounds, and to strengthen us for the work He has for us to do in the future.
And … you are allowed to want more.
I want to close this section by saying this: You are allowed to want more. You are allowed to be a mom and still dream about building a business. You are allowed to volunteer and still crave a paycheck. You are allowed to love your family fiercely and still desire success and fulfillment in your own right.
The key is not to force it. Not to hustle your way into it. But to hold it loosely, to bring it into the stillness, and to allow God to show you the path forward.
Journal about it. Pray over it. Sit in the quiet and ask God to reveal what He has for you. And then take the next small step.
You might not know exactly what your work will look like a year from now, but you can trust that when you partner with God, it will be filled with purpose, aligned with your gifts, and infused with His peace.
And that, my friends, is where love and work divinely meet—in the sacred space where you are fully yourself, fully alive, and fully supported by a God who loves you beyond measure.
And, if you know someone in your life who could benefit from listening to this message, please forward them this episode.
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