Tag: thriving

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How Can I Overcome Imposter Syndrome? Know About Thriving at Work

Interview with Peyton Luke (Part 1)

Over 80% of people experience imposter syndrome. Has that ever been you? In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, Liberty’s longtime friend Peyton Luke, Media Specialist at First Liberty Institute, shares how she overcame imposter syndrome and learned to handle the hurt of being misunderstood in a professional position. Peyton and Liberty also discuss the importance of strong faith and solid friendships, specifically in helping one thrive at work. Are you ready to gain confidence in where you’ve been placed? Listen now, or keep reading.

Letting Go

Peyton is the Media Specialist at First Liberty Institute, as well as the producer and a host of First Liberty Live. Previously Peyton worked as a church media director, in the presidential office at Oral Roberts University, and interned with Fox News in New York City. She majored in Convergence Journalism at ORU where she also served as student body president her junior year, and is now working on her Master of Jurisprudence degree from A&M School of Law.

In short, Peyton understands the pressures of being thrown into high-visibility roles with lots of responsibility. In this episode (the first in a two-part interview), Peyton talks about the hurt of being misunderstood by others and how she learned to let go of worrying about other people’s perceptions while maintaining professional decorum.

“You cannot control what other people’s perception is of you, especially in a public position,” she told Know Why.

“If someone else was meant to be there, they would be there.”

Peyton Luke

These types of work stressors aren’t unique. Research continuously shows that younger generations, including younger millennial and Gen Z, are the most stressed out at work, are struggling with imposter syndrome, and feel pressure to perform perfectly.

For Peyton, the key to overcoming these kinds of pressures at a young age was staying grounded in her Christian faith. That included staying focused on her calling and surrounding herself with strong friends who would encourage her during difficult times.

You’re Not a Fraud

Eighty-two percent of people experience imposter syndrome, according to research. In the episode, Peyton defines imposter syndrome and gives some tips for overcoming it. One tip learning to see work pressure differently. “When you start to feel the pressure, take it as an opportunity,” she said.

Click here to listen to Part 2 of Know Why’s interview with Peyton Luke.

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Can I Enjoy Work Outside of My Dream Job? Know About Thriving At Work

Interview With Steve Miller (Part 2)

In the second installment of this two-part interview, radio producer Steve Miller talks about his favorite jobs, what job he hated, and what made the difference. At the core of this conversation are some important questions… is it possible to do what you’re passionate about, even when it doesn’t pay the bills? Is it possible to enjoy a job that isn’t your “dream?” And what does worshiping God have to do with it all? The latest in Know Why’s Thriving at Work series, this episode is a conversation you’ll enjoy. (Listen to Part 1.)

What Makes You Love a Job?

In recalling what the varied job titles he’s held, Steve shares what make certain jobs awful, tolerable, or enjoyable. “It’s hard to say what makes you love a job,” he says. “I think it’s a combination of loving the actual work you do and loving the environment you’re in.”

That doesn’t mean you have to be working your “dream job” to be enjoy work. In fact, Steve believes it’s important to accept that for most people, desires and work aren’t always perfectly aligned.

“To find pleasure in the work that we are given to do is in itself a communion with God.”

Steve Miller

There are even some benefits to separating one’s passion—or avocation—from one’s job—vocation. For instance, burnout is more likely when the thing you’re most passionate about and the thing that pays the bills are one and the same. It can be hard to draw proper work-life boundaries.

Reject the Idea of the ‘Idealized’ Life

The idea that one’s reality must match up perfectly with their “ideal” is faulty, Steve argues. He says waiting on the “perfect” thing to come along—whether that’s the perfect job or the perfect life partner—is a recipe for misery. Instead, we should look for joy in what’s already before us.

As a Christian, Steve argues that God created humans to work and find joy in it. “To find pleasure in the work that we are given to do is in itself a communion with God,” he said.

Other Advice

To find happiness in both avocation and vocation, Steve has a few tips:

  • Try to find a job you’re good at and enjoy, even if it isn’t your “dream job.”
  • Seek counsel from others. Specifically, ask trusted people what talents and abilities they see in you.
  • Find a local faith community and get involved with other people. A good community—even if unrelated to your specific line of work—will refresh your soul and offer the strength you need to face whatever work is before you.
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What if My Passion Doesn’t Align With My Vocation? Know About Thriving at Work

Interview With Steve Miller (Part 1)

Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

`According to Steve Miller, that ancient proverb is misguided. In the first installment of this two-part interview, Steve shares the long journey he took to discover his true passion—drama—and why it’s more than okay that drama isn’t his livelihood today. The latest in Know Why’s Thriving at Work series, this episode offers a fun conversation about childhood dreams, work, meaning, hobbies, community, and more. 

Steve’s career hasn’t turned out the way he planned. In the episode, Steve shares how his aspirations went from being a pilot, to being a preacher, to being a teacher, to acting. Today, though busy with multiple acting projects on stage and on film, Steve’s job title is producer of Point of View Radio Talk Show.

Reframing Our Attitude Toward Work

Steve is ok with the fact that acting, while his passion, isn’t his livelihood.

“‘Find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ I think that’s the most ridiculous thing to say,” Steve told Know Why. “Because why? Because it assumes that work’s a bad thing.”

“Find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life. I think that’s the most ridiculous thing to say … because it assumes that work’s a bad thing.”

Steve Miller

A Christian, Steve points out that humans were created to work. It’s not necessarily our job titles that must change in order for us to be happy at work, he argues, but our understanding of work itself.

Everyone has to do tasks they don’t like, whether they’re making money at their “dream job” or not. One can find meaning in their work—whatever it is—by “doing it as unto the Lord,” Steve said, quoting the Bible verse Colossians 3:23. He added that part of working unto the Lord is understanding that we need to be in community with other people. Liberty noted that one of the recognized “secrets” to happiness at work is finding meaning in one’s work, specifically by viewing one’s work as a service to others or making the world a better place.

Quoting Frederick Buechner, Steve said:

“‘The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’ So this ‘place’ is not going to be the same for you as it is for me and vice versa. But it involves not just the satisfaction of our passion, our joys, our desires … but also the meeting of the needs of others.”

In Part 2 of this interview, Steve shares more about finding joy in both paid and unpaid work, and why our vocation and avocation don’t have to align for us to be happy.

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What if I Don’t Want a Traditional Career? Know About Thriving at Work

Interview with Kerri Christopher

Does the thought of working 40 hours a week at the same place for decades sound unappealing? Here’s your permission slip to say so out loud! In this installment of our Thriving at Work series, life coach Kerri Christopher from Clarity Life Consulting acknowledges that “having it all” is exhausting, explains what a “portfolio life” looks like, and challenges the notion that a successful career equals a successful life. She also shares tips for discerning what path your work life should take, and offers free resources to help. If the pressure to “climb the ladder” has been too heavy, breathe a sigh of relief and listen to Kerri’s refreshing perspective.

The Lie of ‘Having it All’

“Having it all” may sound nice, but in reality it can place pressure on people, especially women, to extend themselves beyond a healthy capacity. “Having it all” actually becomes doing it all—an impossible task for anyone.

“For many women and probably men too, there is this often unspoken societal pressure to do all the things, but most women are really tired out it,” Kerri told Know Why. “And it’s ok to say, ‘That version of life is not for me.’”

How do we avoid the trap of keeping up with the pressure to “have it all?” Kerri said we should practice discernment to decide what things in life are worth focusing on. There are many ways to discern the appropriate path for one’s life, including prayer, journaling, and self-reflection. Kerri offers a free journaling workshop to help with this effort.

Work vs. Career

When discerning one’s path, it’s key to keep in mind that work doesn’t equal career—and not everyone has to have or desire a “traditional” 40-hour/week career. Different seasons of life can lend themselves to different pursuits and even different levels of productivity, and that’s ok.

“For many women and probably men too, there is this often unspoken societal pressure to do all the things, but most women are really tired out by it.”

Kerri Christopher
Clarity Life Consulting

“Lots of people have varied interests and they don’t want to be defined by one particular line of work,” Kerri told Know Why. “They want the chance to do different things throughout their lives, or the different seasons of their lives.”

Stepping outside of the career mindset means acknowledging that there is more to life than one’s job title. In fact, the impact a person has outside of their career is what’s most valuable from an eternal perspective. “I think somewhere along the way we picked up a cultural message that a successful career is a successful life, and a lack of career or unsuccessful career is a failure of life, and nothing could be farther from the truth,” Kerri said.

It’s ok for our lives to be divided up into seasons or chapters, and it’s ok for our desires and interests to change and evolve overtime to best fit the season we’re in.

Ultimately, Kerri says we should ask our Creator for guidance regarding the best path for our individual gifts and talents, even if it differs from cultural expectations surrounding career and success.

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Can I Avoid Burnout? Know About Thriving at Work

Interview with Dr. Eddy Brewer

Is burnout unavoidable? With workplace stress at an all-time high, it may seem that way. But according Dr. Eddy Brewer, Senior Pastor at Capitol Hill Assembly of God in Oklahoma City, the answer is no! His studies prove it is possible to prevent burnout and cultivate a healthy work-life balance. He shares the “how”—backed by extensive research and ancient wisdom—in this episode of the Know Why Podcast, the first in our series on Thriving at Work. 

A Common Problem

New research from Future Forum found in 2023 that over 40 percent of workers (of 10,000 full-time, desk-based employees in six countries) reported being burned out. Those under 30 experienced burnout at even higher rates, and were the most at risk for burning out.

This aligns with Dr. Brewer’s findings. After writing his doctoral dissertation on burnout among clergy, Dr. Brewer discovered that “the majority of burnout among ministers happens within the first five years, and the majority of that happens within the first three years.”

It’s your responsibility to give attention to your spiritual condition.”

Dr. Eddy Brewer, Capitol hill Assembly of God

In short, work-place stress is hitting young adults hard. Dr. Brewer found other information in his research that may surprise listeners. Those most likely to experience burnout are unmarried singles. Among married people, those without children are more likely to experience burnout than parents. In general, women experience more burnout than men.

Think you might be experiencing symptoms of burnout? It’s typically marked by three signs, Dr. Brewer explained: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a lack of personal accomplishment.

Several factors can lead to burnout, Dr. Brewer said, including “unrealistic expectations” both of your job and your own performance. Lacking identity outside of work is also a big factor. “Try to separate your identity from your work,” he said. “Get your identity from who God made you to be, not just your career.”

Preventative Measures

How can you avoid burnout? Dr. Brewer suggests five steps:

  1. Take care of your spiritual health.
  2. Be thankful.
  3. Rest.
  4. Get a hobby.
  5. Maintain meaningful and healthy relationships.

He also recommends reading the biblical book of Psalms, even if you’re not a frequent reader of Scripture. Many of the Psalms were written by David, a figure in the Bible who experienced burnout and frequent stress. The range of emotions expressed in the Psalms will resonate with anyone experiencing burnout. David wasn’t the only biblical figure to experience burnout. On the podcast, Dr. Brewer shares stories of others in the Bible who are burned out and learn to cope through things like delegation of leadership, naps, food, and more.

More Resources

Dr. Eddy Brewer has offered to email his dissertation on burnout to anyone who requests a copy. Readers will find a detailed list of resources on the topic in the dissertation. To request a copy, email [email protected].

He also recommends The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer.