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Helpful Aids for Reaching Goals – Roll the Ball!

Decision Making· Goals & Priorities

28 Jan

Good for you, former procrastinators!  You’ve sought the Lord for your priorities this year, and used the “SMARTER” method to get specific about setting goals.  You’ve broken those goals into steps that will move you toward accomplishing them.  As you “calendarize” them by putting them on set dates, I’ll share a few more things that help me.

Use a planner.  Write out steps to goals on a daily, weekly, monthly basis.  There are oodles of planners.  I sometimes use a plain spiral notebook, double page, columned off.  It’s not necessary to be fancy; it is necessary to write out my intentions and how I break down the steps.

Pace myself using quarters. Thinking in terms of the whole year is a heavy weight.  Instead, focus on one quarter at a time.  I’m learning to start with the end in mind – the final “product.” To memorize Philippians, going backwards, what should I be working on October-December? Chapter 4.  July-September? Chapter 3.  April-June? Chapter 2.  January-March? Chapter 1. Or, plan forward.  Three month segments are doable, so we’re less likely to get discouraged and chuck it all.  Some goals take four quarters to accomplish.  Some can be done in just the first quarter, or the third.  Designate.  Avoid overload; remember margin.

Differentiate between goals and desires.  With a goal, we have control of the factors that bring it about.  With a desire, we don’t have that control. Of course, we desire our goals, but not everything we want is in our power to accomplish.  We can discern what authority and responsibility God has given us – and what He’s not. I can’t force the boss to give me a raise.  What can I do?  I cannot save the souls of my children.  God has given me the authority and responsibility to teach them scriptures, love them unconditionally, pray for them.  In these areas I can set goals.  But God is the one who saves.

Recognizing this difference brings relief.  It disarms the enemy who accuses us with our “failures.”  It frees us to focus where we have influence and let go where we don’t.  We can spend time, energy, and thought where God directs and not fret unnecessarily or strive to exercise power He has not given us.  (See Goals and Desires, March 2, 2015.)

Follow Caleb’s example.  God declared that of the generation that left Egypt, only two men would enter the Promised land – Joshua and Caleb.  Of Caleb God said, “Caleb…shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the Lord.”  (Deuteronomy 1:36) Caleb got the blessing because he believed God and obeyed Him.  Even his children were blessed. In bowling language, Caleb didn’t just talk about the game or make plans.  He rolled the ball.  He followed through completely on what God directed – and was blessed.

How will you “quarterize” your goals?

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

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

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.”
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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/
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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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