Put Off Procrastination

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First, Priorities – Discerning and Doing the Most Important

Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines

3 Sep

Our September focus, former procrastinators, is priorities.  Yep, determining priorities comes before setting up routine.  However, we were looking at the start of school and we all need to get out the door for something.  So we got that ball rolling.

Priorities are the most important things for us to do, a limited number of essentials.  To look back gratefully, not regretfully, we establish routine to respect and accomplish priorities.  They are the bowling pins we want to knock down at the end of the lane.  Routines are bumpers that keep our ball in the lane so we hit the pins.

We determine our priorities by seeking God.  Where does He want us to concentrate most? Read to my elderly friend?  Direct the cantata?  Priorities come in all shapes and sizes. Counsel from our husband or trusted friend can provide much needed perspective.  Pray, remembering these:

  • The loudest noisemaker may not be a priority and the quietest idea might be.
  • Activities do not equal priorities though there may be a connection.
  • You can facilitate some things that you cannot make happen (learning to read).
  • Include rest, play, margin.
  • Everything on your do list is not a priority.

Discern, then do.  It helps me to view my responsibilities in categories – The Lord/ Husband/ Children/ Home/ Body of Christ/ Outreach.  Focusing on even just one thing in each of these areas weekly helps define where my time and energies should go.  A job or homeschool are additional areas with priorities.

This wording appeals to me:  “What is the most beneficial thing I could do this week?  What will I do each day to accomplish that?”  We ask the same question for the year and the semester.  Establish “priority steps” by the month, week, and day to support those larger priorities and bring them about.

That way we build helpful deadlines into our routines.  They serve as landmarks to guide us and move priorities forward.

Here’s a rough example: “Beginning mid-November Jane takes responsibility for dinner on Tuesdays.”

September – Help with general meal prep nightly, practice meal planning and grocery lists with mom, shop with mom

October – Plan, shop for, prepare one dish first two Tuesdays, two dishes second two Tuesdays

November – Plan, shop for, prepare three dishes first Tuesday,  entire meal second Tuesday and continuing

Knowing I’m doing the most important things each day brings relief and a sense of progress.  I’m assured God is at work in what seems mundane. Getting food on the table three times a day – with a smile –  is major!

We can be grateful our limitations throw us on God for discernment of priorities and strength to carry them out.  We can be confident that focusing on fewer things helps result in accomplishment and relief.

Writing down weekly priorities and using that paper as a bookmark in my Bible serves as a great reminder to pray and act.

When will you clarify your priorities with your friend or husband?

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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."

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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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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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