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

Going While Waiting

Goals & Priorities· Mindset

29 Jan

Former procrastinators, have you put off doing something you really want to do? Is there a dream you don’t feel you can pursue so you just don’t give yourself permission to do it?  You won’t go there.

If a dream is a cherished aspiration (English Oxford Dictionary) then it’s important to us, a longing in our hearts. It may in fact have been planted within us by God – which means it’s important to Him too.

Sometimes we don’t think our circumstances allow the pursuit of that dream. (Work is demanding.  Children take time.  There’s not enough money.)  Sometimes we don’t feel we have God’s permission. (How can I do that when I need to be a better parent?)  Maybe we fall back on “I can’t” because we’ve said it to ourselves for so long.

Certainly, sometimes we must set aside what we’d like to do in order to give attention to a higher priority in that season of life. Sometimes God does direct us to be entirely hands off.

But sometimes we assume a waiting position when God is waiting for us to move. He’s already supplied what we need now but since it isn’t what we envision, we don’t recognize our opportunity.  We view others or circumstances as responsible, but we actually limit ourselves.

We should say, “I choose to give my attention only to family (or work or whatever) at this time.” That helps us accept responsibility for our choices, and opens the door to fresh thinking.   No more poor me.

Ask God very deliberately about your aspiration. His direction may be “less” or “more” than you had in mind. Maybe the Lord will say that while you are waiting to engage fully in your dream, there are some things for you to do now.  (See “What Can I Do?” October 9, 2017)

I’m familiar with a young man who didn’t care for his job. He didn’t wait for something better to come along.  He didn’t sit by the side of the road poking a stick in the dust while hoping a “royal carriage” would arrive and sweep him away.  No, he took steps on the road in the direction he wanted to go.  He did three deliberate things while waiting for his dream.

1) He performed his job well and advanced in the field.  2)  He continually sought a different job, with dozens of applications.  3)  He studied his area of interest, reading books and talking with knowledgeable men.

His coworkers knew of his reading and mocked his aspirations. Undeterred by them, he continued taking steps on the road and came upon a “buckboard wagon”- not his dream job, but a good one.  Today he is in more satisfying work and appreciates its benefits.  He is still reading, learning from others, refining his dream and his approach.  He’s still going while he waits.  He and others are blessed along the way.

What dream will you ask God’s guidance about this week?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

2 Comments

« Going Under
Steps toward the Dream »

Comments

  1. Elena Schuenemeyer says

    January 31, 2018 at 11:42 am

    It makes me think about Jesus as He began his ministry. He was proactive, engaging, focused on the twelve and determined to give His life for us. He didn’t waist a moment! Why shouldn’t we do the same?! I think the biggest hurdle though, is figuring out our dream or focus. Life is short!
    You’re a treasure!

    Reply
    • Beth says

      February 1, 2018 at 6:05 am

      You’re a treasure, Elena! Thank you for pointing us to Jesus’s focus and steady devotion to His purpose. You are so right – it is hugely helpful if we know what our focus should be. That’s one thing I pray for us ladies. May the Lord bless each of us with that knowledge.

      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