FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY
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Your weekly dose of inspiration, practical tools, and honest reflections for living a bold, moxie-filled life.
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 The other day, I was at a local business when an employee walked out the front door and, with great exasperation, announced... “I have to fix a boondoggle.” I couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t just the word—boondoggle—that got me (because, let’s be honest, it’s a fantastic word), but the whole energy of it. It sounded like he was about to embark on a mission doomed from the start—one of those tasks that’s all effort, no progress. And that got me thinking… how many times do we all find ourselves “fixing boondoggles” instead of actually moving toward the things that matter most? What Even Is a Boondoggle? By definition, a boondoggle is work that looks important but is ultimately a waste of time and resources. It’s the endless meetings that could have been emails. The hours spent color-coding a planner instead of actually doing the things in it. The projects that seem urgent but, in the grand scheme, do nothing to move us closer to our goals. Boondoggles are sneaky. They disguise themselves as being productive. They make us feel busy, even accomplished, but they don’t actually change anything. The Boondoggles in Our Own Lives How often do we get pulled away from our dreams because of distractions, obligations, or self-imposed busy work? We might:
It’s easy to justify these things. They feel necessary in the moment. But at the end of the day, they don’t move us forward—they just keep us occupied. Why We Chase Boondoggles Let’s be real: sometimes, chasing a boondoggle is easier than facing the unknown. Dreams require courage. They ask us to take risks, to put ourselves out there, to embrace discomfort. A good boondoggle, on the other hand? It lets us feel productive without the scary part of actually committing to the bigger thing. And let’s not forget—boondoggles can be a great way to avoid failure. After all, if we’re too busy putting out small fires, we never have to take the leap toward something bigger. So how do we stop fixing boondoggles and start chasing what really matters? Ask yourself: Is this moving me forward or just keeping me busy? If it’s the latter, let it go. Prioritize what truly matters. Get clear on the things that align with your dreams and make those your focus.
Your Challenge This Week: Spot the Boondoggles This week, pay attention to where your time and energy are going. Are you making real progress on your dreams, or are you just fixing boondoggles? And if you find yourself stuck in a boondoggle, don’t stress—just laugh, pivot, and get back on track. After all, life’s too short to spend it fixing things that don’t need fixing. MAGICAL THINGS TO CHECK OUT ORACLE CARD OF THE WEEK Adventure. Choice. Faith. Action. The Message:
I've noticed that when I spend too much time in my comfort zone, I tend to frequently use the phrase…I'M WAITING
I often make excuses to avoid stepping outside my comfort zone, but I realize that these excuses are preventing me from trying new things and taking action. My fear mainly stems from the unknown. I worry about the potential consequences of taking risks, such as whether I will find a better job than my current one, whether I might end up alone if I leave my current relationship, or whether I'll lose my job if I spend all my money. These uncertainties keep me confined to my comfort zone. So, I’ve learned to ask myself 3 questions when I’m hanging out in my comfort zone for too long:
Reflection Questions:
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Robin Rosenstiel"Joy in the Journey" is your weekly dose of inspiration, practical tools, and honest reflections for living a bold, moxie-filled life. It’s about embracing every twist and turn on the path to creating a life on your own terms—celebrating the wins, learning from the challenges, and finding joy in the process of becoming your most authentic self Archives
May 2025
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