Put Off Procrastination

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Digging for the Keystone

Habits & Routines

15 Jun

As we look at procrastination and our habits, let’s take another look at Charles Duhigg’s book, The Power of Habit. (Habit Help, June 8, 2015)

Duhigg’s research helped him discover the habit loop. I experience a cue which moves me to follow a routine which results in a reward. All this is driven by a deeper craving (which may be the reward itself or the reward may be significant in light of the craving).

Duhigg wanted a cookie every afternoon so he’d go buy one and chat with colleagues. Study of his habit revealed he really wanted social interaction. By changing his routine from cookie eating to apple eating or walking to another’s desk, he was still able to receive the social interaction he actually desired. (Plus, he lost several pounds.)

There are some habits Duhigg calls keystone habits. These are habits on which other habits rest. Or, one habit leads to another.

Considering this, I’ve been seeing bedtime as a keystone habit. Bedtime affects wake up time, productivity, exercise, feeling good, energy level, clear thinking. So I asked my husband if he would be willing to support me in changing my habit of staying up too late.

He said, sure, he’d be glad to support me in that. “But I don’t think going to bed earlier is the keystone. I think the keystone is eating dinner earlier. When we eat dinner late, we naturally stay up late.”

Praise God for husbandly insight! He often sees beyond what I can see. We both want the reward of time to relax at the end of the day. The sooner we enjoy “down time,” the sooner we are ready to go to bed.

This is working! Long ago my husband asked for dinner at 6:30. Now I understand. As he says, everything can fall into place, we’re not rushing, and it’s better healthwise. Our evening is much better – and the next day is too!

Ladies, let’s help each other on this one. I urge you to study yourself and find a keystone habit that leads to other habits. Ask somebody else for his or her observations. Dig far enough to find the actual keystone. Maybe you’ll be surprised like I was.

What keystone habit do you find? What other habits does it lead to?

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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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“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."

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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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