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Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest
So many women are living overcommitted lives and buckling under the nagging guilt. When they are busy, they feel guilty for not playing with their kids or having a quiet time of prayer and Bible study. When they try to rest, they feel guilty because there's so much left to do. It's an endless cycle of overwork and exhaustion. Yet inside every woman's heart is a longing for true rest. It's there because God designed us that way--but it seems out of reach.
Enough is enough. Our lives probably aren't going to get less busy, especially if we're in a demanding season of life, but we can do busy better. In this burden-lifting book, Glynnis Whitwer helps women examine their hearts and their schedules in order to seek a healthy and holy balance between--and enjoyment of--both work and rest. She shows readers how to prioritize their goals and their time, how to be present in the moment as Jesus was, and how to find the freedom of true soul rest. Most importantly, she shows women that their worth is found not in their accomplishments but in the love of the One who made them for work and for rest.
Enough is enough. Our lives probably aren't going to get less busy, especially if we're in a demanding season of life, but we can do busy better. In this burden-lifting book, Glynnis Whitwer helps women examine their hearts and their schedules in order to seek a healthy and holy balance between--and enjoyment of--both work and rest. She shows readers how to prioritize their goals and their time, how to be present in the moment as Jesus was, and how to find the freedom of true soul rest. Most importantly, she shows women that their worth is found not in their accomplishments but in the love of the One who made them for work and for rest.
192 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2017
16 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 8, 2017
How many of us are busy from sunup to sundown? Work, school, family, friends, church, sports, hobbies, and the myriad other things that occupy us seem to take over our time. The culture always pushes for more, busyness included. When will it stop? Or if not stop, how do we handle the it without becoming overwhelmed?
Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest is a self-help book by Glynis Whitwer. It is a book suggestions, verses, and the author's experiences on how to better manage our time to the glory of God, to the betterment of ourselves and those around us, and without becoming overwhelmed. They weren't so much a list of tips or instructions so much as encouragement and suggestions of how to change our focus and habits to glorify God and do what really matters. It's hard to explain, exactly. It wasn't a guilt trip or another to-do list. It was more of applicable encouragement, relatable stories, and verses.
Doing Busy Better was a very helpful book for me. I am really busy, despite everything. The author's descriptions of being in college and feeling overwhelmed, procrastinating, and feeling guilty describes my current experience exactly. It's so easy to be caught up with the things we "should do," want to do, or can't say no to. The book was helpful and enlightening. Now, the implementing part is going to be a little more challenging than reading the book ... More on that later.
Doing Busy Better is a helpful and encouraging book. I recommend it to the other busy people, Christian or not.
I received a complementary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest is a self-help book by Glynis Whitwer. It is a book suggestions, verses, and the author's experiences on how to better manage our time to the glory of God, to the betterment of ourselves and those around us, and without becoming overwhelmed. They weren't so much a list of tips or instructions so much as encouragement and suggestions of how to change our focus and habits to glorify God and do what really matters. It's hard to explain, exactly. It wasn't a guilt trip or another to-do list. It was more of applicable encouragement, relatable stories, and verses.
Doing Busy Better was a very helpful book for me. I am really busy, despite everything. The author's descriptions of being in college and feeling overwhelmed, procrastinating, and feeling guilty describes my current experience exactly. It's so easy to be caught up with the things we "should do," want to do, or can't say no to. The book was helpful and enlightening. Now, the implementing part is going to be a little more challenging than reading the book ... More on that later.
Doing Busy Better is a helpful and encouraging book. I recommend it to the other busy people, Christian or not.
I received a complementary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2017
I loved reading an advanced copy of Doing Busy Better. As someone who likes to be busy with work, I really wanted to identify what drives me to be overbusy, and why I feel guilty when I take time off from work, or simply take time to rest.
Two of my favorite quotes are: “When your identity is grounded in your accomplishments, it creates a never-ending cycle of pursuit.� AND “Unless I put borders around my busyness, I will be a wreck, and my family will too.� I can so relate and I appreciate Glynnis sharing her personal struggles and all that God has taught her through this journey. As a trusted friend, she encourages us while also reminding us that she is still learning, and in a world where busyness is often worn as a badge of honor, we need to always be looking to God to set our pace.
I am ordering copies for my friends and hope to do a book club this fall. Glynnis is currently offering preorder bonuses including a chapter on Overcoming Burnout and a printable planner template. After release date she will be offering a study guide as a bonus that will be so helpful for your personal study or to use with a group. We can’t wait!
**I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Two of my favorite quotes are: “When your identity is grounded in your accomplishments, it creates a never-ending cycle of pursuit.� AND “Unless I put borders around my busyness, I will be a wreck, and my family will too.� I can so relate and I appreciate Glynnis sharing her personal struggles and all that God has taught her through this journey. As a trusted friend, she encourages us while also reminding us that she is still learning, and in a world where busyness is often worn as a badge of honor, we need to always be looking to God to set our pace.
I am ordering copies for my friends and hope to do a book club this fall. Glynnis is currently offering preorder bonuses including a chapter on Overcoming Burnout and a printable planner template. After release date she will be offering a study guide as a bonus that will be so helpful for your personal study or to use with a group. We can’t wait!
**I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
July 20, 2018
This new book Doing Busy Better~Enjoying God's gifts of work and rest by Glynnis Whitwer is a recommended book for us women that struggle with doing vs. being! The message from this book is much needed as it seems this world pushes being busy and doing, doing, and not taking enough time to rest, especially the right kind of rest, which is resting in God! Also, I think may of us struggle taking on things because we think we should and there good things and we think it is OK, but God didn't call us to. I would have loved, this book years ago when I would do, do, do and not rest, but it is never too late to glean some wisdom!
Here are some of my notes of what resonated with me from her book:
I was reminded God see's me as His child. I am a child of God, oh how I need to repeat that to myself daily! I do not need to be concerned with what I am doing or what others think I am doing, it is not what you do that brings you worth, it is whose you are, a child of God! It is never about me, all about Jesus and how my heart reflects Him. God's identity for us in unchanging and independent of our actions. We are His chosen and beloved children.
Her explanation from Genesis about work, that God designed Adam to work by naming and taking care of animals and garden. God gave Adam a purpose and a gift of work, it showed God's love and trust of him. (however we know later on he messed it up, but that isn't the point right now) God is our provider and work would be a calling, and rest would be a gift. How do we approach work, do we put God first, we should do few important things well not a lot and not well, God modeled a simplicity of work that feels refreshing and focused in creation. Home is our first line of ministry (Titus 2:3-5), all work has value because we are serving Jesus, are motives need to though be right to be doing that. Work is truly God's gift to us. He designed us for it. He assigns us to it. He refines us through it. So we shouldn't feel guilty when we are doing/working and we also shouldn't feel guilty when we are resting. As God also designed us for rest, our bodies were not designed to run non-stop, they need rest to restore our physical strength and cognitive functions, this is how God designed our bodies. Spiritual rest happens when we cease striving and give it all to God. This teaches us that God is our source, portion, and provider. God does His best work in me when I rest and God leads.
Without boundaries, we will sacrifice the important for the urgent and margin allows breathing area. We have responsibilities and are often provided with many other opportunities, but not all are good for me. Good intentions can lead us down paths that cause complications for us. If we aren't wise about our busyness, we will find ourselves frustrated at how little gets done. So we need to be good stewards of our time, at work, play, and rest. Busy isn't always bad. Only when without boundaries and doing the things God didn't call us to do. It is one why the enemy takes a hold of us.
We can't hurry and love at the same time. God's to-do list always involved loving others fully, being patient, and only doing the things HE assigns me to do. I have been guilty of having a to-do list that isn't a God to-do list, so I am thankful to have learned this lesson, though it isn't an easy one to learn.
Glynnis shares her struggle with busyness and rest, and she pulls lots of biblical wisdom and scripture into helping us understand how we can do busy better.
Here are some of my notes of what resonated with me from her book:
I was reminded God see's me as His child. I am a child of God, oh how I need to repeat that to myself daily! I do not need to be concerned with what I am doing or what others think I am doing, it is not what you do that brings you worth, it is whose you are, a child of God! It is never about me, all about Jesus and how my heart reflects Him. God's identity for us in unchanging and independent of our actions. We are His chosen and beloved children.
Her explanation from Genesis about work, that God designed Adam to work by naming and taking care of animals and garden. God gave Adam a purpose and a gift of work, it showed God's love and trust of him. (however we know later on he messed it up, but that isn't the point right now) God is our provider and work would be a calling, and rest would be a gift. How do we approach work, do we put God first, we should do few important things well not a lot and not well, God modeled a simplicity of work that feels refreshing and focused in creation. Home is our first line of ministry (Titus 2:3-5), all work has value because we are serving Jesus, are motives need to though be right to be doing that. Work is truly God's gift to us. He designed us for it. He assigns us to it. He refines us through it. So we shouldn't feel guilty when we are doing/working and we also shouldn't feel guilty when we are resting. As God also designed us for rest, our bodies were not designed to run non-stop, they need rest to restore our physical strength and cognitive functions, this is how God designed our bodies. Spiritual rest happens when we cease striving and give it all to God. This teaches us that God is our source, portion, and provider. God does His best work in me when I rest and God leads.
Without boundaries, we will sacrifice the important for the urgent and margin allows breathing area. We have responsibilities and are often provided with many other opportunities, but not all are good for me. Good intentions can lead us down paths that cause complications for us. If we aren't wise about our busyness, we will find ourselves frustrated at how little gets done. So we need to be good stewards of our time, at work, play, and rest. Busy isn't always bad. Only when without boundaries and doing the things God didn't call us to do. It is one why the enemy takes a hold of us.
We can't hurry and love at the same time. God's to-do list always involved loving others fully, being patient, and only doing the things HE assigns me to do. I have been guilty of having a to-do list that isn't a God to-do list, so I am thankful to have learned this lesson, though it isn't an easy one to learn.
Glynnis shares her struggle with busyness and rest, and she pulls lots of biblical wisdom and scripture into helping us understand how we can do busy better.
February 9, 2023
there were probably three chapters that I would say were five stars, but the rest of the book I felt like was slightly repetitive. I did still learn a lot and appreciate the authors heart.
August 13, 2017
Having read Glynnis Whitwer’s Taming The To Do List, I was curious how this book would be a fresh take on that. In fact, this book is far deeper than that. In essence, it focuses on the balance we strive to strike between work and rest and how that affects our perception of our self-worth. Her interrogation of where our self-worth originates (SPOILER ALERT: it’s not work) and how to re-orientate ourselves when we have defined ourselves by our work is the starting point of the book. I enjoyed the journey Glynnis takes the reader on, she delves into the purpose of work, it’s importance in our lives but also the importance of rest and white space. I found her conditions of unhealthy busyness useful parameters to weigh my own work up against.
As a CRPS sufferer, rest, work and self-worth are entwined with hope and wellness. I can work more, contribute more and so feel alive when I’m well and it’s addictive. Rest is generally associated with illnesses and exhaustion or a lack of energy. Dangerous perceptions if I don’t counter them with truths tucked into this book and throughout the Bible. Valuing rest as much as work has taken me a long time and this was a great reminder of why it’s essential to a peaceful life!
My favourite lines include:
“You can imagine when your identity is wrapped up in what you do, you will always seek to do more.�
“When I refer to work in this book, I want to clarify that I’m referring to whatever responsibilities God has given us. For some this will mean caring for a home, raising children, leading a ministry, athletics, teaching or being employed. There are so many ways we work.�
“God definitely modeled active and attentive effort when He created the world.�
“Work at its finest offers us the same blessings. We are able to use our God-given design, and we experience the pleasure of being given responsibility.�
“He wants us to trust Him. Trust Him with our daily needs. Trust Him to open doors of opportunity. Trust Him to define our identity.�
“Spiritual rest is a deep sense of confidence that no matter what comes our way, God is still on the throne, He has not forgotten us, and He is working on our behalf.�
“I’ve discovered four conditions of unhealthy busyness: being busy without boundaries, being a busybody, doing work I’m not called to do, and focusing on busywork over my best work.�
“Just as white space adds beauty to any piece of art, the printed page, a website or ad, white space in our lives serves a similar benefit.�
“This is why I don’t judge the Israelites, not do I judge anyone who has been through abuse. It’s really hard to trust when your trust has been betrayed. To trust again takes a depth of bravery few have.�
“What can only I do?�
“What has God entrusted to me?�
“Am I a good steward of what I already have?�
“What passion (or dream) has God put in my heart?�
“What has God asked me to do that I haven’t done yet?�
I found the book gave me clarity and insights into the work/rest balance, reaffirmed the importance of focusing on my life patterns and highlighted biblical passages to refer back to � five out of five on the en-JOY-meant scale, I really recommend this one!
As a CRPS sufferer, rest, work and self-worth are entwined with hope and wellness. I can work more, contribute more and so feel alive when I’m well and it’s addictive. Rest is generally associated with illnesses and exhaustion or a lack of energy. Dangerous perceptions if I don’t counter them with truths tucked into this book and throughout the Bible. Valuing rest as much as work has taken me a long time and this was a great reminder of why it’s essential to a peaceful life!
My favourite lines include:
“You can imagine when your identity is wrapped up in what you do, you will always seek to do more.�
“When I refer to work in this book, I want to clarify that I’m referring to whatever responsibilities God has given us. For some this will mean caring for a home, raising children, leading a ministry, athletics, teaching or being employed. There are so many ways we work.�
“God definitely modeled active and attentive effort when He created the world.�
“Work at its finest offers us the same blessings. We are able to use our God-given design, and we experience the pleasure of being given responsibility.�
“He wants us to trust Him. Trust Him with our daily needs. Trust Him to open doors of opportunity. Trust Him to define our identity.�
“Spiritual rest is a deep sense of confidence that no matter what comes our way, God is still on the throne, He has not forgotten us, and He is working on our behalf.�
“I’ve discovered four conditions of unhealthy busyness: being busy without boundaries, being a busybody, doing work I’m not called to do, and focusing on busywork over my best work.�
“Just as white space adds beauty to any piece of art, the printed page, a website or ad, white space in our lives serves a similar benefit.�
“This is why I don’t judge the Israelites, not do I judge anyone who has been through abuse. It’s really hard to trust when your trust has been betrayed. To trust again takes a depth of bravery few have.�
“What can only I do?�
“What has God entrusted to me?�
“Am I a good steward of what I already have?�
“What passion (or dream) has God put in my heart?�
“What has God asked me to do that I haven’t done yet?�
I found the book gave me clarity and insights into the work/rest balance, reaffirmed the importance of focusing on my life patterns and highlighted biblical passages to refer back to � five out of five on the en-JOY-meant scale, I really recommend this one!
July 6, 2017
We think we need to be busy. We get over committed. That was Whitwer's life. But then she realized Jesus invites us to an easy burden and a light yoke. She undertook a journey to find a healthy, guilt-free approach to work and rest. She shares her journey with us.
Whitwer looks at a number of areas as to why we are so busy. She helps us identify our unhealthy inner desires and how we might associate our self-esteem with our accomplishments. She writes about the blessing of work � and the lies about work. I appreciated her section on the benefits of rest, including rest for the spirit and the soul. She got to the bottom of the issue when she wrote about getting our heart right.
I really appreciated her insights. I found out that true rest starts in our hearts and souls. I really needed to be reminded that rest is not earned but is a gift and a command from God. (That insight bounced up against my deeply ingrained Dutch work ethic.) I was impressed with the teaching about how keeping the Sabbath was essential in breaking the slave mentality of the Israelites as well as an act of trusting God. Whitwer has good ideas to help us know when to quit too.
I realize in reading this book that we have enough time to do what God wants us to do. That means spending time with God to find out what it is. That means realizing where God has put us, identifying our responsibilities, understanding our abilities, and more. Whitwer gives good direction in those areas.
I recommend this book to wives and moms as that is the focus of the author. This is not a time management book with lots of practical ideas about productivity, although there are a few. This is a book through which readers can process their ideas about work and rest. Readers will need to come up with an effective way to implement the truths in this book as there are no discussion questions nor journal prompts. (You will be able to download a study guide at the author's website with proof of purchase.)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Whitwer looks at a number of areas as to why we are so busy. She helps us identify our unhealthy inner desires and how we might associate our self-esteem with our accomplishments. She writes about the blessing of work � and the lies about work. I appreciated her section on the benefits of rest, including rest for the spirit and the soul. She got to the bottom of the issue when she wrote about getting our heart right.
I really appreciated her insights. I found out that true rest starts in our hearts and souls. I really needed to be reminded that rest is not earned but is a gift and a command from God. (That insight bounced up against my deeply ingrained Dutch work ethic.) I was impressed with the teaching about how keeping the Sabbath was essential in breaking the slave mentality of the Israelites as well as an act of trusting God. Whitwer has good ideas to help us know when to quit too.
I realize in reading this book that we have enough time to do what God wants us to do. That means spending time with God to find out what it is. That means realizing where God has put us, identifying our responsibilities, understanding our abilities, and more. Whitwer gives good direction in those areas.
I recommend this book to wives and moms as that is the focus of the author. This is not a time management book with lots of practical ideas about productivity, although there are a few. This is a book through which readers can process their ideas about work and rest. Readers will need to come up with an effective way to implement the truths in this book as there are no discussion questions nor journal prompts. (You will be able to download a study guide at the author's website with proof of purchase.)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 3, 2017
August is always a busy month for me, and this book is helping me do busy better.
Glynnis Whitwer’s Doing Busy Better is helping me see that my drive to stay busy doesn’t fit with God’s best for me.
Yes, he has given me a productive, task-oriented nature. I am known for being hardworking and self-motivated. But God doesn’t want me to find fulfillment or identity in what I do; he wants me to find my purpose in him alone.
Glynnis tells stories of how her busy nature got her in trouble, again and again. Even when she had her hands full as a mother of three, she kept taking on more responsibility at church and work to feel fulfilled.
I have done that too, many times. I think I’m still taking on more than I need to, because I still want to prove my worth to myself and to others.
What I enjoyed about this book most were Glynnis� real, imperfect stories, her helpful explanations of scripture, and her suggestions for finding rest in the Sabbath.
She does not villianize work; she shows us how work is a gift from God, yet we corrupt it with our extremes of laziness or workaholism.
She shows us that Sabbath rest is another gift which actually increases our productivity by making us more dependent on God.
A few quotes that are still speaking to me:
-The promise of an unhurried, productive life calls my name.
-When we feel that our safety, security, and significance depend on us, we will not know when to stop working.
-Changing our allegiance to God means dealing with old habits that chain us to our previous master.
The part that resonated with me most is how the Israelites struggled with a slave mindset for decades after God set them free from Egyptian rule. After reading this book, I’m thinking through my leftover slave mindset (work = worth) and slowly tearing down the untruths with God’s help.
I have purposely stopped doing work on Sundays, and I have seen my productivity go up when I simply rest for one day.
If you are looking for a thoughtful, wise discussion on how to reprioritize your schedule, Doing Busy Better is meant for you.
Glynnis Whitwer’s Doing Busy Better is helping me see that my drive to stay busy doesn’t fit with God’s best for me.
Yes, he has given me a productive, task-oriented nature. I am known for being hardworking and self-motivated. But God doesn’t want me to find fulfillment or identity in what I do; he wants me to find my purpose in him alone.
Glynnis tells stories of how her busy nature got her in trouble, again and again. Even when she had her hands full as a mother of three, she kept taking on more responsibility at church and work to feel fulfilled.
I have done that too, many times. I think I’m still taking on more than I need to, because I still want to prove my worth to myself and to others.
What I enjoyed about this book most were Glynnis� real, imperfect stories, her helpful explanations of scripture, and her suggestions for finding rest in the Sabbath.
She does not villianize work; she shows us how work is a gift from God, yet we corrupt it with our extremes of laziness or workaholism.
She shows us that Sabbath rest is another gift which actually increases our productivity by making us more dependent on God.
A few quotes that are still speaking to me:
-The promise of an unhurried, productive life calls my name.
-When we feel that our safety, security, and significance depend on us, we will not know when to stop working.
-Changing our allegiance to God means dealing with old habits that chain us to our previous master.
The part that resonated with me most is how the Israelites struggled with a slave mindset for decades after God set them free from Egyptian rule. After reading this book, I’m thinking through my leftover slave mindset (work = worth) and slowly tearing down the untruths with God’s help.
I have purposely stopped doing work on Sundays, and I have seen my productivity go up when I simply rest for one day.
If you are looking for a thoughtful, wise discussion on how to reprioritize your schedule, Doing Busy Better is meant for you.
July 4, 2017
I feel blessed to have been a part of the launch team for "Doing Busy Better" by Glynnis Whitwer. (The words in her book came at such a busy, stressful time, that I know God must have known how much I needed them.)
When I saw: "Does this sound familiar? When you're busy, you feel guilty you aren't spending time with family or God? Then, when you try to rest, you feel guilty because there is so much left to do. It's an endless cycle of overwork and exhaustion." I knew I needed this book. Overwork and exhaustion were exactly what I was feeling.
Glynnis writes in an easy, fun to read way. I saw myself immediately in her stories about being too busy and being in hurry. Then through biblical insight and practical advice she shows the reader how work and rest, in the right balance are part of God's plan for us. She helps us learn how to achieve this balance. Her book has been inspiring and very helpful to me, and since learning to do busy better is a journey. I know I will return to this book and it's precepts over and over. I want to learn how to live an unhurried, peaceful, productive life and to find true soul rest.
I highly recommend it for everyone.
When I saw: "Does this sound familiar? When you're busy, you feel guilty you aren't spending time with family or God? Then, when you try to rest, you feel guilty because there is so much left to do. It's an endless cycle of overwork and exhaustion." I knew I needed this book. Overwork and exhaustion were exactly what I was feeling.
Glynnis writes in an easy, fun to read way. I saw myself immediately in her stories about being too busy and being in hurry. Then through biblical insight and practical advice she shows the reader how work and rest, in the right balance are part of God's plan for us. She helps us learn how to achieve this balance. Her book has been inspiring and very helpful to me, and since learning to do busy better is a journey. I know I will return to this book and it's precepts over and over. I want to learn how to live an unhurried, peaceful, productive life and to find true soul rest.
I highly recommend it for everyone.
July 26, 2017
Probably the best "busyness" book I have ever read, "Doing Busy Better" is loaded with wisdom. Such as:
"Jesus's ways are not frantic or overloaded, and He will guide us toward a life that reflects His peace;"
"Nowhere in Scripture do we find the kind of franticness that characterizes some of our lives."
"When our lives are overcrowded with "content" and lacking white space, we will feel cluttered and confused. It's hard to identify what's most important because it all runs together in a blur."
"Busy isn't always bad. Only when it's busy without boundaries and busy on the wrong things."
The vast majority of women today complain about being too busy. Our schedules are tightly packed, and we run ourselves ragged trying to accomplish everything on our calendars and to-do lists each day. Perhaps that is because we're busy on the wrong things, or we've failed to allow ourselves even a smidgen of margin.
I truly believe that this book has the power to dramatically alter our lives. It would be a great book for my church's women's ministry to study together.
"Jesus's ways are not frantic or overloaded, and He will guide us toward a life that reflects His peace;"
"Nowhere in Scripture do we find the kind of franticness that characterizes some of our lives."
"When our lives are overcrowded with "content" and lacking white space, we will feel cluttered and confused. It's hard to identify what's most important because it all runs together in a blur."
"Busy isn't always bad. Only when it's busy without boundaries and busy on the wrong things."
The vast majority of women today complain about being too busy. Our schedules are tightly packed, and we run ourselves ragged trying to accomplish everything on our calendars and to-do lists each day. Perhaps that is because we're busy on the wrong things, or we've failed to allow ourselves even a smidgen of margin.
I truly believe that this book has the power to dramatically alter our lives. It would be a great book for my church's women's ministry to study together.
July 17, 2017
I loved this book. Glynnis Whitwer is very real and open about her struggles with overcommitment and not slowing down to what is really important. I can relate to her on many levels. I really connected with what she said about volunteering for every project and that when we do that, we may deprive someone else that learning experience. Guilty! I also loved what she said about giving others the impression of being too busy to care. It can be so easy to focus on the to-do lists but ignore what is really important, such as relationships with others and God. I loved how she spoke truth with love and with much encouragement. I always enjoy Glynnis’s words of wisdom.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for a review.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for a review.
July 14, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were several sections where I thought perhaps the author could read my mind. This is a book to help with productivity, but not in the traditional way. I was encouraged to think differently, to pause and reflect before jumping in. Before I read this book, I always felt guilty for being so busy. Now, I accept that I am busy, but feel like I can do it better, just as the title says! One of my favorite quotes from the book explains how I feel: "I don't want to get more done; I want to get more of the right things done."
**I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -- But then I bought more copies for friends!**
**I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -- But then I bought more copies for friends!**
June 29, 2017
I was so excited to receive an advance copy of Doing Busy Better. As a busy person, I couldn't wait to dive into this book and see what I could learn. I felt like Glynnis had lived my life. Not only was she vulnerable with real stories, but she provided helpful solutions. I often found myself thinking of friends and clients in certain situations and texting this a snapshot of the book. This is a must-read for anyone whose life is busy!
July 4, 2017
Would you like to dig deeper into your overbusy life? Glynnis Whitwer’s book, Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God’s Gifts of Work and Rest, will help you uncover the source of your busy and identify ways to get a handle on it. Through personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical tips, Doing Busy Better gives the frantic woman hope for a peaceful life.
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 13, 2017
Reading this book was a good decision! I was given a advance copy in exchange for a review or two. I'm doing all I can because I was so blessed with Glynis' thoughts. She writes about why allow ourselves get too busy, including the desire for significance, false guilt. There are great thoughts on rest being a gift, not a reward and best of scriptural principles and examples of rest and work balanced. Go read the book! You will not be sorry!
August 6, 2017
For anyone unable to slow down or say NO, this is the book for you. Whitwer uses God’s instructions to demonstrate how to we are to manage our busy days and weeks. She does not suggest we become stagnate and stop everything. Whitwer provides instructions using scripture on how to find the rest needed to maintain a healthy balance. Great book for the busy-minded if you can find time to stop and read it.
April 27, 2018
Doing Busy Better is worth reading
Doing Busy Better by Glynnis Whitwer is one of those books every woman and mother should read. She speaks as friend giving excellent advice and information. She gives helpful advice on how to spend time with God in the midst of dealing with every day life.
Doing Busy Better by Glynnis Whitwer is one of those books every woman and mother should read. She speaks as friend giving excellent advice and information. She gives helpful advice on how to spend time with God in the midst of dealing with every day life.
August 10, 2022
Awesome book...short and to the point but with beautiful, personal stories that were relatable. Favorite quotes:
"Getting things done provides an immediate relief, but getting the right things done brings peace. That's what I want: peaceful productivity."
"God promises me a palace, and I settle for a shed when I seek my kingdom before His."
"Getting things done provides an immediate relief, but getting the right things done brings peace. That's what I want: peaceful productivity."
"God promises me a palace, and I settle for a shed when I seek my kingdom before His."
February 19, 2023
Excellent read for this season of my life. I always feel overcommitted, super busy, & time poor. This book provided scriptures to support the need for both work & rest, while also confirming the need to step back from responsibilities sometimes. I encourage everyone who is a busy body, feels anxious when you’re not doing something, or lazy when you have moments of rest to read this!
June 30, 2017
Loved this book!! Biblically based with sound suggestions on how to prioritize and balance so that soul rest in God is possible. Great read for anyone longing to live to the fullest. I did receive a free advanced readers copy. This is my honest review.
July 4, 2017
What woman these days doesn't have a really long to-do list - and who doesn't feel less than when the list never seems to end. Some of us are wired to busy and some of us have no choice - either way, Glynnis shows us how to calm the inner turmoil and tame the to-do.
November 12, 2017
Loved this book! It really helped me gain perspective on my "busyness."
I will go back and re-read sections to continue working toward my goal of using my talents for God's glory and not letting myself get overwhelmed.
I will go back and re-read sections to continue working toward my goal of using my talents for God's glory and not letting myself get overwhelmed.
August 27, 2019
I enjoyed this good, easy read on how to take control of the important things in life. There were good biblical references and insightfulness. However, some of the text was a bit repetitive. Regardless, it’s definitely a good book to help one make the most important decisions for herself.
September 29, 2019
From the very end of the book: "Soul rest replaces striving when our identity is secure." Amen! The author doesn't give.a bunch of advice like do's and don'ts, it's more the philosophy behind work and rest and why we need both.
December 26, 2019
I had a strange relationship with this book. I didn't particularly relate to the author personally, but she did have many insights that spoke directly to me. So while I did skim some of it because they didn't resonate, the parts I liked I really liked!
November 8, 2017
Life changer
Loved it! Helped me prioritize my life! Made smart life changes and learned to say no. A beautiful way to organize the necessities and let go of the unnecessary!
Loved it! Helped me prioritize my life! Made smart life changes and learned to say no. A beautiful way to organize the necessities and let go of the unnecessary!
October 4, 2021
A great book with lots of Biblical and practical wisdom. The book is geared towards moms, but I'm a college student and still got a lot out of it.
August 31, 2023
I really enjoyed chapter 9 and some of the points Glynnis made about the Sabbath.
July 19, 2017
I am a homeschool mom, and frequently, books on this type of topic are not particularly helpful for me. , though, has advice for all busy women (not just those who work outside the home). I'm already using some of the tips from the book, and I can see myself referring to this book often in the future.
July 4, 2017
I was so blessed to read an advanced copy of Doing Busy Better. I have longed to find the balance between work and rest. Glynnis Whitwer does an incredible job at sharing her experiences and what God has taught her through her own journey with finding this balance.
I love many of the quotes in this book but two of my favorites were:
"Only the enemy wants us to find our identity in what we do, because he knows when the lights dim and the "success" is gone, so is our value." and "Hurry is the enemy of what matters most in this life." I am realizing these things in some real ways as I look towards empty nest season. I don't want to miss what is most important anymore.
This is an area that every woman can relate to and benefit from. Both working women and stay at home moms.
Glynnis shares several ways we can apply the truths that are packed in this book. I am blessed to see the fruit that is already been produced as I read this book and walk with the Lord in this area. I believe God is going to use this book to break the viscous cycles that we have gotten stuck in as women and we are going to experience freedom in this area like never before.
I am looking forward to having a small group and sharing this message with others. Pick up your copy today. You will be thankful you did!!
I love many of the quotes in this book but two of my favorites were:
"Only the enemy wants us to find our identity in what we do, because he knows when the lights dim and the "success" is gone, so is our value." and "Hurry is the enemy of what matters most in this life." I am realizing these things in some real ways as I look towards empty nest season. I don't want to miss what is most important anymore.
This is an area that every woman can relate to and benefit from. Both working women and stay at home moms.
Glynnis shares several ways we can apply the truths that are packed in this book. I am blessed to see the fruit that is already been produced as I read this book and walk with the Lord in this area. I believe God is going to use this book to break the viscous cycles that we have gotten stuck in as women and we are going to experience freedom in this area like never before.
I am looking forward to having a small group and sharing this message with others. Pick up your copy today. You will be thankful you did!!
February 4, 2018
My first impression after reading a bit was that this book may not be for me. The author is someone who intentionally took on more and more work, whereas my busyness is unavoidable. What I liked was, at the end of chapter one, she tells the reader we will be learning tips and tricks to control our busy lives, but ultimately, true rest comes from Jesus. This is a concept some people may not have heard before, so I appreciated that she stressed that from the beginning.
One of the minor things I did not enjoy were the large print excerpts on every couple of pages. I found them distracting.
Throughout the book the reader is encouraged to examine the cause of the busyness in their life; what drives them to overwork usually reveals something about their character or desires. I found that helpful, and could immediately think of people I know who would benefit from that exercise.
Overall this book was not quite what I had hoped, but I did find it encouraging. This would be a great resource for a women’s group to use together, and it would make a good gift for someone who is constantly on the go.
One of the minor things I did not enjoy were the large print excerpts on every couple of pages. I found them distracting.
Throughout the book the reader is encouraged to examine the cause of the busyness in their life; what drives them to overwork usually reveals something about their character or desires. I found that helpful, and could immediately think of people I know who would benefit from that exercise.
Overall this book was not quite what I had hoped, but I did find it encouraging. This would be a great resource for a women’s group to use together, and it would make a good gift for someone who is constantly on the go.
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