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Look Back to Move Forward – Debriefing 2018

Decision Making· Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines

7 Jan

Happy New Year, former procrastinators!  Be refreshed and encouraged.

One way to do that is to review our last year’s methods and results so we go forward more wisely.

Military pilots debrief their missions. They evaluate themselves but they also get evaluations from others around the table who review what was right, what went wrong, how to correct and be more effective.  We can do the same.

Often family members or friends can tell what worked for us and what didn’t.  Their perspectives can be enlightening.  We may think we did better or worse than we did. No rose colored glasses and no unmerited reprimands. We want to deal with reality as we review our goals and routines that help us do what needs doing when it needs doing.

These questions help us debrief last year and fly successful missions in 2019:

  • What were my goals?  (I forgot some because I didn’t review frequently. Now they’re posted beside the computer.)
  • Did I accomplish them?   (No fudging.  Goals should be measurable so we know if we did them or not.  “Read three professional books.”)
  • Were there goals I did not meet entirely but made progress on? Congratulations!  Be glad to be farther down the road.  (I didn’t memorize all those scriptures but I did half of them.)
  • Were there goals I didn’t do at all?  Can I drop them?  Revamp my approach?  (Work three hours a week on a photo project.)
  • Did I truly have to let go of some goals because of life circumstances?   (Serious illness in the family)  Or, did I drop goals because it got hard and I took the easy way out?  (“When I get home, I don’t want to do anything.”)
  • Did I make deliberate decisions or drift with the flow of circumstances?  (“I’ll skip that again today.”)
  • Did I lose interest in a goal and now realize it’s not that important to me?  (I can drop it.)  Or is it something I can do less often?  (Volunteer quarterly.)
  • What did I learn about how I function best or not so well that will be helpful for this year’s planning?  (I think more clearly in the morning, so that’s best for writing and learning.)
  • What activities require more – or less – from me than expected?  How can I adjust to benefit?  (Start dinner prep during lunch break.)
  • What activities piled up on me and should’ve been spread out?  (Christmas shop in September.)  Or something omitted?  (Join only one club.)
  • How can I set myself up for success?  (Print out scriptures for my notebook, car, and carry-on bag – easy opportunities to memorize or review.)
  • Did I attempt too much – or too little?
  • Did I include ample rest, play, and margin?
  • Did God use something last year to show me where I should focus time and attention?
  • What will I keep, omit, add, or modify?
  • Overall, what did I learn?

Where does God want your life to count?  Did you give that your thoughtful attention?

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5 Comments

« Year End Review 2018
2019 Theme – Roll the Ball! »

Comments

  1. Viki from Griffin says

    January 9, 2019 at 9:44 am

    Oh my! Just when I thought I had really accomplished some things in 2018~ Here comes the reality check moment! Measurable Goals………. I should know about this since I have been an educator with an educator mind since 1980! Oh well!!!! I have decided that I let several goal opportunities get by………..I did read “more”, but did I read books that enhanced my life and encouraged my walk with God? I did walk ……some………..but again, was I consistent in walking a particular measure of time or distance? Oh my. I’ve got some work to do with this! I’m making 2 goals and they will be measurable and I will be more focused(meaning I will accomplish them by Dec. 31st! thank you for this helpful article!~

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      January 9, 2019 at 10:45 am

      Viki, You reminded us of two good things – setting goals that are specific and setting a reasonable number, not too many. Thanks! I’ll bet you reach those two goals this year and enjoy the satisfaction.

      Reply
  2. Lynn Sterkenburg says

    January 11, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    Beth:
    You’re keeping my feet to the fire! Thank you for your honesty, clarity and compassion! My take away is this – fewer goals, specific end dates, greater margin :>). Bless you my dear friend.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      January 13, 2019 at 6:05 pm

      Great take aways, Lynn! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  3. Beth Sterne says

    January 13, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    Great Take aways, Lynn! Happy New Year!

    Reply

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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.”

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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.

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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/
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Mary R.

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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.”

Christine B.

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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.

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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."
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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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