Put Off Procrastination

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Go, Give, Gather – Celebrate with Margin

Holidays

10 Dec

We might call the holiday season, former procrastinators, a marathon, not a sprint.  We need to pace ourselves so we’ll have the energy to do what we need to do throughout the season – and so we’ll have the mental, emotional, and spiritual resources to enter into the celebration.  Since we are observing the birth of our Living Savior we want to be fully present and engaged, not pooped out and irritable because we stayed up baking until 2 a.m.  Which would He prefer?

This is a time of much going, giving, and gathering with others.  How can we do what needs doing when it needs doing with margin as we celebrate Christmas? How can we allow more time for tasks and more time between them?

Go –  If you or family are participating in presentations, coordinate rehearsals with everything else that’s going on.  It might be wise to check rehearsal schedules before signing up. There are more special events than we can attend, so choose.  Maybe alternate performances from year to year.  The most professional may not be the most meaningful.  Leave early to enjoy the drive, other people, and the presentation.

Parking lots are full.  It may take 3 changes of the traffic signal to get through an intersection.  Allowing extra driving time means you can sing along with the carols on the radio – and smile.

“Go” idea:  Ask for or offer a ride to an event.

Give – Giving is an important part of the Christmas season.  If your little ones are spending their money for gifts, allow much more time than you anticipate for decision making.  If you’re making gifts by hand, factor in more hours than you expect to need.

Respecting margin in the shopping budget is a real stress reliever.  The pressure we feel to purchase is not as great as the pressure we feel when the bills are due.  It’s not as great as the disappointment when we realize we overpaid for one gift and cannot buy others.  Keeping giving within the budget shows love and respect.  Starting early helps make this possible.  Last minute purchases or mailing tend to be costlier.

“Give” idea:  Babysit so parents can shop.

Gather – If you’re an overnight guest this season, remember a small thank you gift and a note for your hostess.  If hosting, decorate less and cook ahead. In advance, collect ideas and supplies.  Select the houses for caroling, print out song sheets.  Make sure you have the games, puzzles, movies you want to offer.  That way you’re less likely to find yourself saying “Oh, I wish we’d…”  Then hold plans in an open hand.  Margin might include flexing to give up your expectations.

“Gather” idea:  Invite a neighbor over for soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

Our inner peace and interaction with family, friends, coworkers is much affected by seasonal stress.  Margin allows us to pace ourselves for everybody’s enjoyment.

In which area – go, give, or gather – will you make a change that creates margin?

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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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"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
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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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2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

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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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