It’s possible, fellow former procrastinators, I would’ve sprained my ankle anyway – but my choice of footwear pretty well insured it. Cobblestone stairs in the rain at twilight wearing platform shoes. Oops. There’s been the pain of the injured foot and the pain of our injured plans. Now I look back at lessons learned for physical healing and for pulling out of procrastination.
Maintain respect for earlier lessons learned. I determined a while back that I should wear low heels or flats. (Sensible but cute, of course.) Foolishly, I was lured away from that lesson and wore platform shoes – even though I know I’m not platform -shoe -suitable. Why did I not respect the earlier lesson? Mostly, the shoes were so comfortable. Danger! I fell for the lure of thinking this time would be different. (I have learned I need x amount of time to wash my hair. So I must not attempt that if I have to leave the house before then. Thinking this time will be different – is a trap!)
Adjust priorities. Getting well takes first place. Let stuff go. Other people can often do the essentials; forget the rest. There’s a high cost to pay for trying to act capable. (Sometimes we have to set aside what we most want to do to give attention elsewhere. Remember it’s usually pause, don’t stop. See Pause, Don’t Stop January 23, 2017)
Be satisfied with slow progress. Avoid residuals – aftereffects that show up later because you didn’t let yourself heal thoroughly. (Negative consequences occur in the future if I don’t do what needs doing when it needs doing – work, play, or rest. Be grateful for the changes God IS making in my life.)
Learn how to help yourself. Go up and down stairs on my bottom. Later, lead up stairs with the good foot, down with the bad. Two feet per step. (Establish routines that help me do the most important things. Remember bowling bumpers that help me hit the priority pins.)
Get help. Cooperate with those who know more. Physical therapists know things I don’t – and I get to benefit! Obey in therapy; do the homework. Ask their advice. Get well sooner. (Seek wise counsel or extra muscle with problems or tasks that challenge me.)
Develop better habits. I often pivot quickly on my foot. Now I have to turn more slowly. (Relying on memory doesn’t work. Set timers.)
Deliberately correct to the right routine. Eight weeks later I still limp though my ankle is much improved. I have to consciously force “heel, toe, heel, toe.” I got in the habit of doing something in compensation that should only have been temporary. Continuing to limp leads to additional problems. (Special needs can require that I leave the house early without devotional time. Once those days are done, I should deliberately return to having devotions early.)
What lessons have you learned? How can you apply them to pulling out of procrastination?
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