"It will all turn out in the end. Otherwise, it isn't the end yet."

I've shared this statement with frustrated clients—and with myself—many times. It has become one of the "Barbarisms" of Productive Environment Institute.

I believe it's Truth—with a capital T.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) reminds us:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

That verse has carried me through countless seasons when I couldn't see how things would work out. One of the joys of getting older is looking back and seeing how God was faithful—even when His timing wasn't mine.

During my first White Board Session with Melvin Pillay in 2022, I described a dream I believe God placed on my heart for my business decades earlier. Melvin smiled and said, "Well, Barbara, the problem with you is that you're not old enough yet! Think Moses. God called him to lead the Israelites when he was 80."

That conversation made me laugh, but it also challenged me. I'm getting closer to 80, but it isn't the end yet!

People often ask, "When are you going to retire?"

My answer is always the same: "I'm not retired—I'm re-fired!"

And I truly am.

Although this is an unsettling time in our country and in the world, I feel incredibly grateful to be alive at this moment in history. Every morning I wake up wondering, "Lord, what are You going to do today?" That's an exciting way to begin the day.

I hope you feel that way, too. If you don't, perhaps that's a conversation worth having with someone you admire and trust. God's Word reminds us repeatedly that we were created for a purpose. The clearer your purpose becomes, the easier it is to get up each morning.

I invite you to ask a question that I ask many of my clients:

"What is one specific thing that has to happen for me to be happy with my progress?"

I ask myself that question often—very often.

This week's answer was:"Upload all the documents into my end-of-life planning platform."

To be completely transparent, I've given myself that same answer more times than I care to admit! (I did it previously, but I’ve found a platform I like better, and I haven’t updated some of the documents, which I will make a yearly task with a specific date for the future!)

The obstacles are numerous:

• Technical challenges—definitely number one.

• Feeling overwhelmed by the emotions that come with recognizing how quickly life passes.

• Fear of making a mistake. (After all, this organizing consultant once mailed wedding invitations with the wrong date!)

• Distractions—sometimes using other people's needs as an excuse to avoid my own priorities.

• Lack of information. Every time I think I've found the answer, I discover another question that needs to be solved.

I could keep going, but you get the idea.

So the next question I asked myself was “What is one thing I can do to reach my goal?”

My answer: Ask for help!

Remember those familiar words, “You do not have because you do not ask…” Today, I asked Karen to help me, and we moved forward together. Our next session is on the calendar!

So let me leave you with the same question:

What is the one thing that has to happen this week, this month, or this year for you to be happy with your progress?

Whatever your answer is, that's probably your critical project. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask! That's why we are here.

Like my end-of-life planning project, it may be the very thing hanging over your head, draining your energy, distracting your focus, and keeping you from accomplishing the work God has called you to do, and certainly from enjoying your life with the people you love.

Remember, obstacles are real—but they are not the end of the story.

"It will all turn out in the end. Otherwise, it isn't the end yet."