Make it Happen by Lara Casey Summary
Overview of Make it Happen
Trapped in perfectionism? "Make It Happen" is Lara Casey's raw guide to purposeful living that sparked a movement of intentional goal-setters. Women praise its vulnerability and practical wisdom for conquering anxiety while balancing life's competing demands.
- Surrender control to embrace God’s purpose over perfectionism-driven fear.
- Cultivate intentional living by aligning daily actions with faith-based priorities.
- Replace overwhelm with progress through Lara Casey’s PowerSheets® Goal Planner system.
- Transform fear into faith by taking purposeful leaps toward meaningful goals.
- Break free from “doing it all” by focusing on what truly matters.
- Overcome procrastination through small, consistent actions that build unstoppable momentum.
- Discover fulfillment by prioritizing gratitude over society’s definition of success.
- Build self-trust by celebrating imperfect progress instead of chasing perfection.
- Strengthen spiritual growth through surrender journaling and scripture-focused reflection.
- Create work-life balance using Lara Casey’s “social media free weekends” strategy.
- Achieve lasting change by tying goals to service-oriented outcomes.
About the Author of Make it Happen
Lara Casey, bestselling author of Make It Happen and founder of Cultivate What Matters, is a leading voice in intentional goal-setting and faith-driven personal growth.
A dynamic entrepreneur, she founded Southern Weddings magazine and later created the PowerSheets® Intentional Goal Planner, tools that empower millions to prioritize purpose over perfection.
Her writing blends memoir with actionable guidance, drawing from her own journey through adversity—including her husband’s military deployment and rebuilding her marriage—to inspire readers to embrace "small, purposeful steps" toward meaningful change.
Casey’s expertise extends to her follow-up books, Cultivate and Gracie’s Garden, which further explore themes of intentional living and spiritual resilience. As a sought-after speaker and host of the Making Things Happen Conference, she combines practical strategies with heartfelt storytelling.
Make It Happen has become a staple in faith-based and self-help circles, with its message of overcoming fear and embracing authenticity resonating globally.
FAQs About Make it Happen
What is Make It Happen by Lara Casey about?
Make It Happen by Lara Casey is a faith-centered guide to overcoming fear and perfectionism by surrendering control to God, embracing intentional living, and taking bold steps toward purpose. Through personal anecdotes, Casey shares her journey from anxiety to fulfillment, offering practical exercises to help readers align their goals with faith and prioritize what truly matters.
Who should read Make It Happen?
This book is ideal for women struggling with overwhelm, perfectionism, or burnout, particularly those seeking courage to pursue new ventures or deepen their spiritual lives. It resonates with working mothers, weary wives, and anyone craving a purposeful life rooted in faith rather than accident.
Is Make It Happen worth reading?
Yes—it combines heartfelt storytelling with actionable advice, making it a valuable resource for faith-driven readers. Its emphasis on surrendering fear, setting intentional goals, and trusting God’s plan offers both inspiration and practical tools for personal growth.
What are the key takeaways from Make It Happen?
- Surrender control: Letting go of perfectionism to embrace God’s purpose.
- Live intentionally: Aligning daily actions with meaningful, faith-based goals.
- Take leaps of faith: Boldly pursuing dreams despite fear, trusting divine guidance.
What famous quotes are in Make It Happen?
“You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do? You should go do them.” This quote encapsulates the book’s call to action, urging readers to replace hesitation with purposeful steps toward their God-given potential.
How does Make It Happen differ from other self-help books?
Unlike secular productivity guides, Make It Happen integrates Christian faith as the foundation for goal-setting, framing personal growth as a spiritual journey rather than a checklist. It emphasizes surrender over self-reliance.
Can Make It Happen help with overcoming fear?
Absolutely. Casey provides frameworks to identify fear’s roots, replace anxiety with prayer, and take incremental steps toward courage. Her “surrender, leap, live” model encourages trust in God’s plan during uncertainty.
How does Make It Happen address work-life balance?
Casey rejects the myth of “doing it all,” advocating instead for evaluating priorities through faith. She shares strategies to simplify commitments, focus on what matters, and find peace in imperfection—particularly for working mothers.
What critiques exist about Make It Happen?
Some readers note its heavy focus on Christian theology, which may limit appeal for secular audiences. Others highlight its gendered tone, as examples primarily address women’s experiences.
How does Make It Happen relate to Lara Casey’s other books?
It pairs with Cultivate (her follow-up) to form a holistic guide: Make It Happen focuses on bold leaps, while Cultivate emphasizes nurturing growth through daily habits. Both integrate faith-based goal-setting.
Can the lessons in Make It Happen apply to career changes?
Yes. Casey’s principles—like identifying core values, embracing risk, and trusting divine timing—equip readers to navigate career pivots with clarity and courage.
Why is Make It Happen still relevant in 2025?
Its themes of resisting burnout, seeking purpose beyond productivity, and fostering spiritual resilience align with modern demands for mindful living. The book’s actionable exercises remain timeless tools for intentionality.
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Key Themes in Make it Happen
Quotes from Make it Happen
True fulfillment comes not from striving for perfection but from surrendering to purpose.
Fear isn't tangible but feels like bricks weighing on our hearts.
When we fear worldly failure or human judgment more than we fear missing God's purpose for our lives, we've given power to the wrong thing.
Breaking free from extremes requires identifying what we're really craving beneath the surface.
Characters in Make it Happen
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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