Put Off Procrastination

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Evict the Squatters!

Decision Making· Habits & Routines

20 Feb

Are there any former procrastinators out there besides me who still deal with “piles”? I do NOT like piles – yet I’m so prone to form them. Aaugh! What’s the deal?

By “pile” I mean a collection of assorted papers I’ve not dealt with. A pile is a group of delayed decisions. It begins when I choose to put a paper down and deal with it later. Big mistake.

A pile is a fallback for procrastinators. We find them so easy to form and grow that we cultivate them all around the house. That’s crazy because a pile is a great example of how procrastination mistreats us. It tricks us into thinking delay is good but then it cruelly dominates us.

I get a piece of mail I have to deal with. I can’t – or don’t want to – deal with it now, so I put it on the kitchen counter for attention later. Then that one paper morphs into a magnet attracting other items – a newspaper, receipts, a catalog, more mail, a flier, a grocery list. ETC. The possibilities are endless once the door is opened.

Because I do not deal with that paper immediately, it gains a kind of control over me. Piles have “negative power.”

They are unsightly and detract from the otherwise reasonable orderliness of our home.

They scream and DEMAND attention – shouting that I’ve not done my job

They steal space we could use for cooking, eating, sitting, walking and they interfere with our efforts to do those things

They create work because I have to move them to operate – and more work when I look for them again later. (They like to hide – especially if they contain critical items.)

They seem to hang onto my ankle and divert my attention from other things I need to do.

They mock me for my failure to deal with them and at the same time discourage me from even trying to.

Worst, they contribute to further procrastination by luring more papers into their crowd.

I’ve begun to think of piles as squatters. A squatter is a person who occupies property without title, right, or payment of rent. He has to be forced out by officials and kept out by official action. Since I have authority over pile formation, I can determine not to make them anymore. I get no positive payback from allowing them into space they should not have. I’m going to end this.

Happy note: I am much better about piles than I used to be. I enjoy the difference. (One of our kids even commented on the improvement!) This makes me want to avoid piles altogether because the straggling squatters are annoying. They act like they own the place.

How did I do this week? Pretty well. I found seven. (Honest, I’m still better.) I’ve evicted five; two more to go.

This week, will you exercise authority and get rid of your piles? (Don’t forget to check under the bed!)

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2 Comments

« Plank of Discontent
Becoming Paper Proficient »

Comments

  1. Donna says

    February 20, 2017 at 10:05 am

    I agree that piles tend to grow and take over our workspace. What would you suggest doing with that piece of mail I open in the evening that requires a phone call to a business office the next day, which perhaps happens to be a holiday?

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      February 20, 2017 at 11:41 am

      Hi, Donna! Your question deals with the very heart of the pile issue. How do we most effectively manage paper?
      From my position of Needy-Not-Expert, a few ideas come to mind. One, you likely use a do list of some kind so you can write the task on the appropriate day (or two days in case the business is not closed). That means the paper does not have to be left out as a prompt. It can go in a “tickler” file or a “hot” file for immediate action. Thought two, (maybe a little crazy) can you save business mail to open during business hours? That wouldn’t solve the problem, but it might better position you for dealing with it. Three, we have a large basket for incoming mail. If I spy something that needs immediate attention, I clip it on the side of the basket so it is noticed immediately.
      Next week I hope to share what I’m learning as I focus hard on how to manage paper.
      Thanks so much for chiming in! Other ladies, what do you suggest?

      Reply

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
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“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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