A couple of years ago, our Jenesis Team book club read Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar. I’ll be honest—I underlined so much of that book it looked like I was trying to highlight every page! It wasn’t just theory; it was practical, everyday stuff about happiness that made me stop and think.

One of the big takeaways for me was that happiness isn’t something that just shows up like a surprise gift. It’s something we choose and cultivate. Tal Ben-Shahar calls it “the ultimate currency.” Think about that—while we all chase money, success, or recognition, the real thing we’re after is happiness. The problem is, we often delay it. We tell ourselves, I’ll be happy when my agency hits $1M in premium, when we add that new carrier, when we finally switch systems. But by then, the goalpost has moved again.

The book challenged me to ask: What if happiness is less about waiting and more about building daily habits? Things like gratitude, meaningful work, exercise, relationships—practices that don’t guarantee life is perfect but definitely raise the average level of joy in your day.

At Jenesis, we talk a lot about growth—helping insurance agencies grow, helping people grow. But what good is growth if you’re miserable in the process? Happiness isn’t just about writing more policies; it’s about enjoying the people you work with, the customers you serve, and the difference you’re making in your community.

Here’s a simple example: Ben-Shahar suggests keeping a gratitude journal. Just writing down three things you’re thankful for each day. Try ending your day by writing down three things you’re grateful for in your agency. Maybe it’s a kind word from a customer, a teammate who went the extra mile, or simply that the phones finally quieted down after 5 p.m. Those little reflections change how you see your work.

As C.S. Lewis once said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” That line sticks with me because it reminds me happiness isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. It’s what keeps us moving through tough seasons, both in life and in business.

So here’s the encouragement: don’t wait for happiness to show up when conditions are perfect. Choose it now. Build it now. Small steps, practiced daily, can add up to a life that feels richer—not because everything is easy, but because you’ve chosen to live with joy, even in the middle of running an independent insurance agency.

This blog is based on a recent article I read that made me stop and think:

“What many ministers don’t realize is that food does not replace nervous energy – only sleep does. By sleeping for fifteen minutes first, they would eat less afterward. This practice has helped me maintain my weight and my energy levels so I can continue intense ministry as counselor and chaplain at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

That line hit me. How often do we eat when what we really need is rest?

For many of us, especially in business and leadership, we confuse exhaustion with hunger. We grab a snack, a coffee, or something sweet hoping it will recharge us, when in reality, our bodies (and our minds) are just asking for rest.

Sleep: God’s Built-In Reset

Psalm 127:2 reminds us:

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Sleep is God’s natural way of restoring our energy and renewing our focus. A short nap or even just fifteen minutes of quiet rest can do more to settle your nerves, improve your clarity, and restore your energy than a plate of food ever will.

The Insurance Agency Lesson

Running an agency can feel like you’re “always on.” Calls, emails, carrier changes, quoting, renewals, hiring, client issues—the list never ends. When you’re tired, the temptation is to push through with coffee or sugar. But just like the devotional reminded me, nervous energy doesn’t need food—it needs rest.

Imagine this in your agency:

• Before meeting with a frustrated client, step away for ten minutes to clear your head.
• Before quoting a complicated policy, pause for a short rest so you come back focused.
• Before your weekly team meeting, give yourself a moment of quiet so you lead with clarity instead of fatigue.

Leadership Wisdom from Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel often says, “You can have control or you can have growth, but you can’t have both.”

What he means is this: if you insist on personally controlling every detail, your agency will only grow as far as you can stretch. But if you’re willing to let go—empowering your team, delegating responsibility, and trusting others—you create space for growth far beyond your own capacity.

The same is true with rest. When you refuse to pause, you may feel “in control,” but you’ll eventually hit a wall. When you give yourself permission to rest, even briefly, you come back refreshed and ready to lead with clarity. And when you combine that with trusting your team, your agency can grow in ways you never imagined.

A Well-Known Example

Winston Churchill, known for his relentless work during World War II, swore by daily naps. He believed that taking a short rest in the afternoon gave him “two days in one”—fresh energy and sharper thinking to carry him late into the night when decisions mattered most. What some might have considered laziness was actually one of his greatest productivity tools.

If naps could help a wartime prime minister make wise decisions under immense pressure, surely a 15-minute break could help us make better decisions for our agencies and our clients.

Encouragement for the Journey

The next time you feel drained and tempted to grab something to eat or power through fatigue at your agency, ask yourself: Do I need food—or do I need rest?

You might be surprised how often the answer is rest. And in that pause, you’ll find not only renewed energy, but also God’s peace—and your best leadership for your agency team and clients.

In business, change isn’t optional—it’s inevitable. The question isn’t if change will come, but whether you’ll be prepared to navigate it.

In this month’s C12 curriculum, we’re reminded that lasting businesses aren’t built on shifting sand like trends or quick fixes, but on solid foundations. For Christian leaders, that means rooting decisions in clarity—mission, vision, and values (MVVs)—and seeking wise counsel from mentors and peers.

Let’s apply that to the insurance industry, where change often feels like the only constant.

Why Strategic Planning Matters More Than Ever

Many agencies are busy but lack true strategic clarity. They budget and set goals but don’t always have a forward-looking plan that defines:

• Where the agency is headed
• How it will get there
• What advantages it will leverage to grow

Without a clear plan, agencies end up reacting to market changes instead of leading with confidence.

Examples of Change Insurance Agencies Face

1. Changing Agency Management Systems (AMS):

Switching to a new AMS is one of the biggest transitions an agency can make. It impacts workflows, customer service, and profitability. Without a clear mission and vision guiding the decision, it’s easy to chase features instead of strategy. Agencies with strong MVVs ask: Does this system support our mission to streamline service? Does it align with our vision of being the most client-friendly agency in town?

2. Adding New Marketing Strategies:

Digital marketing, social media, and SEO aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore—they’re essential. But adding a new marketing channel without clarity often leads to wasted dollars. For example, before starting a PPC campaign, an agency should ask: Does this move us toward our three-year vision of doubling personal lines clients?

3. Recruiting and Developing Talent:

When adding producers or CSRs, agencies with clear values know what cultural attributes matter most. If “trust and service” are core values, then hiring decisions must reflect them—even if it means turning down a technically skilled candidate who doesn’t share those priorities.

The Role of Mentorship

The devotional section this month emphasizes the importance of mentors—wise builders who help us strengthen our foundation before storms arrive. For agency owners, this might look like:

• Seeking counsel from a seasoned agent who has navigated system transitions successfully.
• Asking a marketing mentor to review your strategy before you invest heavily.
• Inviting a trusted peer to sit in on strategic planning sessions for accountability.

These mentors act like structural engineers—helping you ensure the foundation is sound before you add the weight of new initiatives.

Practical Next Steps for Agencies

1. Clarify your MVVs. Write them down, and test whether your team can repeat them from memory.
2. Review recent changes. Did your last tech or marketing decision align with your mission and vision?
3. Plan ahead. Don’t just budget—define a three-to-five-year picture of what God-honoring success looks like for your agency.
4. Engage mentors. Identify one person this month who can give you outside perspective on a key decision.

Final Word

Strategic planning isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about building an agency that lasts. As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Whether you’re switching to a new AMS, launching a fresh marketing strategy, or bringing on new producers, your foundation—mission, vision, and values—will determine if those changes strengthen your agency or simply add stress.

Now is the time to look inward, clarify your foundation, and move forward with confidence.

Want to Learn More About C12?

Much of the insight in this blog comes from my time in C12, a community of Christian CEOs and business owners who meet monthly to encourage, challenge, and sharpen one another in both business and faith.

If you’re curious about how C12 could help you strengthen your agency’s foundation and connect with like-minded leaders, I’d be glad to share more about my experience—or you can learn directly at joinc12.com.