"Wow this is totally embarrassing", I thought as I skimmed through my notebook journal. I had started one of those 31 day challenges but never actually finished it...and looking at the date now it was roughly about a year later.
Sigh...
It was a staunch reminder of how not only procrastination hampers progress but also how easy it is to become distracted by or enthralled with new activities that without proper attention and discipline we become prone to simply forgetting or significantly delaying the completion of what had been previously started.
I didn't take this realization lightly. There was no reason for me to stumble on this book when I did except that God was making some critical commentary on how I needed to handle things going forward. Often we forget that God's advice to us is not just for the realm of the spiritual for God has a holistic approach to our development and as such gives us practical tools for everyday living as well.
side note: To be honest what I saw hurt me just a little because I recognize the commitment it takes to finish a task and clearly that commitment was absent; I hadn't done a good job with this one.
Now you may think I am being a little melodramatic or hard on myself and maybe you are right, but I figured instead of shrugging the whole thing off and tossing the book back where it had been for the last few months, I determined that I would instead embrace this as a teachable moment.
I understand that the things I practice knowingly or unknowingly are actually revelatory of who I am as a person and might also be indicative of the path I might take to where God is taking me.
Focal point #1
Finish what you have started
- We constantly ask God for more or seek more ourselves; more power, greater wealth, promotion, advanced education etc. as a result many of us each day begin to dream new dreams or to yearn for new projects but how about just finishing what we started; last week, a month ago, years ago? We cannot expect to progress if we cannot keep a commitment, finish a task or see a project for which we have ownership through.
Now if we are honest, we would admit that we are socialized to be hungry for more; to never really be satisfied and though there are advantages to it, it is certainly counterproductive to want more when we are not being good stewards of what we have already been given.
Of course, do not think that finishing what you started means hovering over every little detail, overdoing everything or overexerting yourself. Sometimes it simply means passing the responsibility of completing a task to someone who is capable whether at the job or at home. It is often said that we should 'work smarter not harder' (wink).
Focal point 2
Prioritize
- I remember when I used to actually create to do lists at the start of my week or at the start of my day depending on what needed to be accomplished and how closely I needed to monitor the time being spent.
I would have tasks in order of importance and or sometimes arrange them based on the level of difficulty or the attention the task might require so I could determine at what point in the day completing them was feasible for me. Boy did it help me to stay organized, efficient and productive! But all that was in my work space, why hadn't I consistently utilized the same kind of list in my personal life?
- Have you ever used to do lists?
- Did they work for you?
Consider this, some of the tasks on your to do list might not need to be there if you asked for help or even retired unproductive habits or activities which were draining your time and even causing unnecessary pressure to complete other duties.
- How might you add any needed organization to your life?
- How might you prioritize the tasks you need to accomplish daily, weekly, monthly etc.?
- Who could assist you...what are the resources available to you?
- What activities might you stop to free up some of your time?
I know someone who stopped watching television and limited social media use for a year while she was working on her book. Now that might be too drastic for you but the question still needs to be asked.
- What are you enveloped in that you should really give up if you are to move ahead? You know the distractions in your life.
I am sure you may be thinking about the things you started but haven't completed. Certainly, I used the last few days to complete the 31 day challenge I had started. I suppose, a part of the reason I went back and completed it is because it is still relevant to my present day circumstances.
Don't get in a frenzy trying to revisit each unfulfilled dream or incomplete task, instead allow God to lead you to focus on the things that He still desires you to do, because to pursue something that is 'outdated' for you is to create a distraction from the very things which actually matter and are relevant in and for your life today.
If you have specific tips to share re how you manage your time and resources share them below to help someone else. Also if you have any questions post them in the comment section.
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Until next time,
EJ
Onward & Live IN purpose
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