Put Off Procrastination

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Fickle or Focused? – Going Counter-Cultural

Decision Making· Habits & Routines· Mindset

23 Sep

Former procrastinators.  I’m easily enticed away from my duties by entertainment.  Not by Hollywood. Entertainment for me is anything that appeals and diverts me into a relaxed state that helps me ignore what I ought to do.  It might be a chore I prefer, tv, book, magazine, or google search.  Does FB or Pinterest do that for you?  I’m realizing that such entertainment is part of the spirit of this age.

Quickly I add that all these can be used to great benefit.  But they require control.  To “indulge” is to allow yourself to enjoy a pleasure.  (Merriam Webster)  Okay.  But the root of “indulge” means “to give free reign to.”  I’ve galloped through nearly  a carton of ice cream or whole book while something worthwhile  awaited my attention.  Over indulgence.  We need to gather the reigns and steer ourselves wisely.

We should gratefully enjoy the pleasures God gives us. These include rest and play.  The doldrums I spoke of earlier are not the same.  Rest and play are refreshing; the doldrums are draining.  Rest and play are intentional; the doldrums are sneaky and invasive.  Rest and play equip us for better work; the doldrums divert us from work.

While in the doldrums seeking ease and entertainment, I noticed how scattered my thoughts were.  That, too, led me to consider the spirit of the age.  Am I paying attention to what I’m paying attention to?

Gather the Reigns

Over indulgence and scattered thoughts make it easy to procrastinate.  I delay, forget, start, stop, walk away.  When I’m easily diverted, I’m not effective for the Kingdom whether teaching my kids or serving my boss.  I’m all over.  Like the tail-wagging retriever,  I’m – Squirrel!  Off on something else.

The spirit of the age lures us off our race for the eternal prize onto the course of this world for a temporary prize.  We trade gold for a plastic trinket.

Procrastination plays right into this.  If we value ease, we drift into dullness of heart and mind.  Then it’s easy to choose temporary reward. Unfocused thoughts scatter in many directions.  I’ve noticed these evidences of a scattered mind.  They also contribute to a scattered mind.

Sitting in a meeting reading an article on another topic

Having lunch with one friend while texting another

Choosing a church because sermons are short

Trying to think of a computer search I can do instead of work

Turning to the computer or phone if I have free minutes

Turning to those to avoid doing what needs doing

Talking on the phone with a friend while still on the computer

Pulling out my phone when I could engage with others or wait quietly thinking

Looking at the phone instead of the child or friend who’s talking

Spending numerous days without routine

To stay in the race and win the prize, we pay attention.  We reign in our thoughts so we stay on track.

When do you choose diversion when focus is needed?

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2 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sharon says

    September 30, 2019 at 7:33 am

    Just what I need to hear! I fall into some of these traps, instead of being intentional and it makes me feel like I’m chasing my tail throughout the day. Thanks for the encouragement to be still! Also, to enjoy rest but with discipline. 😀

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    October 1, 2019 at 8:51 am

    Ah, Sharon, I get you. “Chasing my tail all day” is a good description. It’s so wonderful that by God’s grace we are not bound to that behavior. We can think and act with purpose and more fully enjoy our work, play, and rest.

    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."
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.

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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.”

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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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