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Are You Tracking? – The Compound Effect

Decision Making· Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines

10 Jun

Last week, former procrastinators, we saw the large impact of small actions repeated over time.  In Darren Hardy’s book Compound Effect we’re reminded that the large impact can be either negative or positive.  Our repeated steps take us in a direction.  Whether it’s mindless munching on potato chips (I’m so guilty) or steady review of Bible verses (getting better) we move away from what we desire or toward it.

A friend of ours points out,  “We always reap what we sow.  We reap more than we sow.  We reap in a different season than we sow.”

We’re always sowing – a negative crop we’ll regret or a positive one we’ll rejoice in. It just comes later – and bigger than we expect.  You’ve heard the cry, “How did we get to this place?”

In the moment, we think a decision doesn’t make any difference.  That’s risky.  We see the gravity of “big” decisions but discount the “inconsequential” potato chips, sarcasm, or scripture memory.  Hardy asks, “What am I doing that I didn’t consciously choose to do, yet continue to do every day? …Which of those behaviors support me?”  Which pull me down?

Based on a lesson the author learned the hard way, he recommends tracking.  Have you derailed or suspect you’re heading the wrong direction?  Tracking will reveal your direction. Therefore you track with intention of reaching your goals.  (A healthy body, mind, marriage, finances, resume.)

Hardy says for one week track one behavior in one area of your life you’d like to change and improve.  (money, nutrition, fitness, parenting, gratitude, etc.)  Write down everything you do related to it.  (extra cheese, cup of coffee, TV time) He says you’ll be shocked at where your time, money, attention, etc. is going.

Then he recommends tracking two more weeks.  This will move you beyond shock to awareness.  It will help you move toward a new habit. You begin to focus on the small things you’re doing right or wrong.  You’ll make small course corrections consistently and begin to see great results.  (Course Correction Is Normal May 28, 2018)

These suggestions from the author are a means of helping me die to self.  In the moment, I think it’s fine to skip the gym, buy that bangle, or yell at the kids.  It’s easy to think it won’t matter if I put off behavior that would move me toward my goals.  Tracking can help me make course corrections that keep me moving as the Lord desires for my good and His glory.

Coddling self in the moment means I put off what needs doing when it needs doing –  work, play, or rest.  It means I’m sowing seeds that will yield a crop I’ll wish I didn’t have.  I want to sow seeds that will yield a crop I’ll be grateful for.  I’ll have to wait until later to see it, but the harvest will definitely come.

I’m going to track writing time on the computer.

What will you track this week?

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2 Comments

« Worth the Wait – The Compound Effect
A Dad’s Compounding Influence – The Compound Effect »

Comments

  1. Sherri says

    June 10, 2019 at 11:40 am

    Thank you so much for your faithfulness in staying with this blog for the long term. it Is making a difference in lives as we battle negative old habits and reach for new good habits – both TAKE the long term to truly turn our lives. thank you. – Sherri

    Reply
  2. Beth Sterne says

    June 10, 2019 at 1:18 pm

    That is encouraging, Sherri. You ladies help me stay “steady on” with the blog and here at home. Thank you!

    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 procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

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2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
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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.”

Carole S.

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2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“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.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“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.”

Rebecca F.

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2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“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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2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

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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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