Put Off Procrastination

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Buying into Buying Less

Decision Making· Mindset

8 May

Former procrastinators, the drivers in one country where we lived followed this policy: “If space exists, fill it.” Lane lines were ignored so eight cars traveled abreast instead of five. Moving cars filled the shoulders of the road. No wonder there was stress and gridlock! No respect of boundaries and no margin.

We can do the same thing with physical stuff in our homes – no respect of boundaries and no margin. That stressful situation encourages procrastination.

Our house was built before storage was a consideration in home design. So I need to maximize the space we have (ex: storing items under skirted beds and tables). But if we can’t walk around the bed without stubbing a toe on a box, or we find ourselves stacking books on top of those in the shelves, we’re running five cars across three lanes.

I’d like to function well with what we own, enjoy it, and be available to the Lord and people. All of those are hindered by too much stuff. Just as our schedules and minds need margin, so do our homes. Space gives relief and peace.

How can we avoid acquisition overload? Even without being rigid, these ideas can ease the gridlock:

  • Slow down the acquisition! Become “acquisition averse.” Allow fewer items to enter the house in the first place whether it’s unneeded receipts, junk mail, or fabric bolts.
  • Enter stores or websites only when we actually need something. A friend seemed incredulous that I didn’t go to a nearby store each time I bought groceries. “You don’t even GO IN there?” Nope. Online there’s always a deal – that can be on your doorstep this afternoon. Nope.
  • Purchase only items that will serve us well and can occupy an appropriate space.
  • No matter how cheap, it’s not a deal if we don’t wear that color or eat that flavor. Resist!
  • Declare a moratorium on buying for a month, or on certain items.
  • Here are four biggies at our house and alternative ideas to acquiring more:
  • Books – Read what we have before buying more. Give away non keepers. Use the library! Use an electronic reader. Subscribe to magazines online.
  • Clothes – Elizabeth Elliot was the first person I heard say, “If I bring something new into my closet, I take something out and pass it to someone else.” Consider that sales, consignment stores, and thrift shops do not justify buying more but enable spending less. Rent special occasion one-time outfits. A satisfied friend suggests Rent the Runway; there are others.
  • Household/yard items – Consider what to remove when the new item comes in. Check the library; many loan out lovely paintings and posters. Rental stores can supply tablecloths, china, coffee urns, chain saws, wheel chairs, etc – no storage.
  • Office supplies – Check our stash before buying duplicates. Split packages with a friend to avoid being stuck with unwanted extras.

How can you restore boundaries and margin in your home with your stuff?

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2 Comments

« The Joy of Not Owning
Not a Paper Doll Mom »

Comments

  1. Louise says

    May 9, 2017 at 11:08 pm

    A friend shared this at lent. Each day, for forty days, take a bag of any size to Goodwill or similar organization. You will be a blessing to them and have rid yourself of forty bags of unneeded items from your house. Both are winners.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      May 13, 2017 at 1:51 pm

      An excellent suggestion! If 40 bags sounds daunting, you could do 40 Walmart-size bags instead of large black bags. That would still be a LOT of stuff gone out to bless.

      I apologize for the late posting of your comment. Travelling, I couldn’t pick up what came in. :-{

      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."

Julia F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

Julia F.

"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."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/julia-f/
“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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

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"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

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2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
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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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