Put Off Procrastination

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Listen to the Coach – Going Counter Cultural

Decision Making· Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines· Mindset

16 Sep

When I was a spring chicken, former procrastinators, I jogged in the early morning. (Picture that – a chicken jogging!)  My mentor and several of us girls went to the track and did our laps.  Another jogger was our pastor who offered me some pointers.  He explained that I was swinging my arms from side to side which was affecting my gait, hindering progress. My arms were working against my legs and diverting energy from my mission.  I was getting in my own way.

He suggested that I consciously pump my arms forward and backward which would smooth out my gait,  making it easier to run.  He was right. I had to pay attention and discipline myself to do forward/ backward because it wasn’t natural for me, but it became natural.  Now when I exercise walk, I gratefully remember him.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  …[We do it] for an imperishable crown.  Therefore I run thus:  not with uncertainty.  Thus I fight:  not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  I Corinthians 9:24-27.

Coach Says…

One wins the prize because of how he runs.  Paul says there are two ways he runs to win:  First, he runs with certainty.  He recognizes the value of the prize and he wants it bad enough to run all out.  Next, he runs intentionally.  He makes the sacrifices of time, attention, physical and mental discipline to enable him to win. He coaches us to pay attention to how we run and get good at it so we win.

Most folks walk/run the course of this world so they drift as that spirit blows them. The spirit of the age influences them to think what’s here now is better than God’s eternal prize.  They’re unwilling to sacrifice time, attention, and discipline to win the eternal because they don’t value it highly.  If they don’t feel like showing up, they don’t. They opt for extra TV, another serving, more time in bed, putting things off.

When I first jogged, my swinging arms were beating the air. I needed coaching.  Paul coaches us to run with a heart and mind devoted to Him, the prize.  Then pay attention to run with focused, deliberate efforts so running is purposeful and effective without wasted energy. Bible reading, godly counsel, prayer, doing what needs doing when it needs doing, maximizing routines, showing up when we don’t feel like it.  These help us resist the spirit of the age and win the prize.

How are you getting in your own way with a habit that pulls you off track?  What change will help you run to win?

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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 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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2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
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2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

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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.”
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/
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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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