Put Off Procrastination

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Christmas Fun Permit

Holidays· Playtime & Rest

8 Dec

Today was cold, rainy, and gray – the perfect setting for a procrastinator to cocoon inside, avoiding the parking battle pain and crowds. Instead, I ventured into the fray with my friend for a really fun time!

Finding expensive parking, tromping around in the rain, squeezing through the crowds, we enjoyed a lovely Christmas tour and ended with a good meal and extended fellowship. I would do it again even with the inconvenience.

I said “yes” proposing this to my friend, because a week ago I said “no” to a thoughtful invitation. I was home alone cooking on Thanksgiving Day because we would celebrate Friday. Our neighbor invited me over for Thursday dinner or dessert. I turned her down because I had so much to do. As soon as I said the words, I realized I would be missing a nice opportunity. I could at least go for a short time. So I called her and accepted dessert.

It was a delightful hour. The daughters had each made a delicious pie, chocolate pecan and cherry. We were able to chat in front of the fire and at the table, just relaxing together. I was grateful they’d invited me and I returned to work refreshed.

My default position is often ‚ÄòNo.” I have a lot to do so I say ‚ÄòNo” to fun. That’s just wrong. Ask my kids who tried to teach me that long ago. Fun is important!

Procrastination makes my work load heavier because chores pile up. It steals my time and thinking. It skews me into believing I’m not available for fun or for the people in my life. Aren’t I making these preparations so others can enjoy Christmas? Then I stand in the way of their enjoyment. Rethink!

God designed us to need rest and recreation, and He produces fruit through those times. Attuned to Him, I say “yes” to the fun that needs doing when it needs doing. Fun in Christmas season! I can even initiate. It can be planned – “Tuesday night let’s drive around and see the lights!” or spontaneous – “Hey, let’s drive around and see the lights!”

Christmas is a wonderful time to pause and quietly enjoy moments of reflection. It’s a time to laugh with the zest for life that demonstrates I’m glad my Savior came.

This week, in the bustle of preparation, let’s have fun. What Christmas pleasures have you enjoyed?

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1 Comment

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Comments

  1. ed elliott says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Hi Beth,
    I thought of you and your blog while reading this contrarian article about Procrastination.

    http://www.vox.com/2014/12/8/7352833/procrastination-psychology-help-stop

    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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“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’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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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/
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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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