Put Off Procrastination

  • Home
  • Meet Beth
  • Blog
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Speaking Schedule
  • Resources
    • You Might Be a Procrastinator If…
    • Books and More
    • Helpful Project Tips
    • Suggestions from You
    • Diligence Ditties
  • Contact

Finish What I Start

Habits & Routines

17 Jul

Former procrastinators, two simple things at our house would lift a load and make the atmosphere more pleasant. One is throw away trash immediately. (Trash the Trash, July 10, 2017)

Easy-Do Two is Finish What I Start.

The first way to finish is clean up. Replace the wrapping paper, hammer, phone directory. Make space and save items from loss by returning them to their proper place. Neglect creates irritation. Consider a dirty snack bowl on the counter instead of in the dishwasher or sink according to mom’s stated preference.

The other way to finish is to complete the job itself, not leave things hanging. Projects can languish, as my friend says, half done on the desk, counter, in the corner. They become part of the landscape. We cease to see them or hear their calls. “Complete me!” Resident clutter. Yuck!

Proverbs 12:27: “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” ESV ends, “the diligent man gets precious wealth.”

We’ve done part of the job – but miss the benefit of the completed task. A gift to return, photo albums to fill, a new skirt to hem, papers to file. I recently went through a box of items and dealt with all but the last three. They stayed on the counter two weeks. “Complete me!”

The first time I actually noticed people start and finish a job in full was at the dinner table of friends. It was her birthday and he gave her a new watch band. She took off her watch immediately, he replaced the old band with the new, and they threw away the box. I noticed because I would’ve set the box down, later moved it to my dresser, and waited a week to put on the new band. Why?

The first time I noticed myself finishing what I started, our daughter and I purchased fabric to hang behind the shelves in a secretary. We came home, unloaded the shelves, tacked up the fabric, replaced the shelves and contents. Done! When I see that corner of the room, I rejoice in the lighter background and in the job we did start to finish with no delays. We did what needed doing when it needed doing. All of it.

If something must be done in stages, we can still step through those diligently without delay. No gathering dust or growing mildew.

Sometimes I struggle with follow through of the whole job because when I make a decision, I feel the work is done. Not true. We determine we can attend a party, but the RSVP still sits here. I decide to take a course, but the registration form joins a pile. Now I do not strike an item off my do list unless the entire thing is done. Finish the job.

Who wants to leave a carcass in her camp just to smell and rot?

What leftovers are lying around your house? What job will you completely finish this week?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

2 Comments

« Trash the Trash
Triple A Threat: Aware, Alert, Active »

Comments

  1. Donna says

    July 18, 2017 at 7:30 am

    So helpful! Thank you. I’m going to finish something today.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      July 18, 2017 at 10:08 pm

      Yea, Donna! Go, girl!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.

Learn more about Beth ≫

Join me in gaining victory!

Subscribe to receive my weekly post in your email inbox with encouraging tips for tackling procrastination and creating peace.

Privacy Policy

Browse by Category

Browse Archives

What Others are Saying

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

Mary R.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/mary-r/
"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"

Josie O.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:10:12-04:00

Josie O.

"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/josie-o/
"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."

Megan P.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:40:50-04:00

Megan P.

"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/megan-p/
"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."

Cindy C.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/cindy-c/
“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.”

Christine B.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"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/
0
0
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

Copyright © 2023 Beth Sterne | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy