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Maximizing Activities

Decision Making

21 Aug

Whoa, former procrastinators! Maximizing activities doesn’t mean taking on as many as we possibly can. It means getting the most benefit possible from the activities we do take on.

That way, activities can assist us in moving our ships toward the ports we want to reach.

We may outwardly rush from school or office to dentist to ball field to committee meeting. But inside, we may just drift along with no purpose or benefit. (“Priorities and Activities” August 17, 2017) We lose much good we could gain from activities. Let’s be deliberate – now, before we are swept away.

First, determine priorities for ourselves and our younger children and together with teens. We set up routines based on those. Consider which activities would serve to develop our priorities or can be arenas in which we demonstrate them. Baseball or debate could help develop traits such as respect, loyalty, or perseverance. Regular lawn mowing or babysitting may afford opportunity to use special abilities to earn money or to serve others.

Specifically define what knowledge or skills we want to develop through an activity. Improve vocal range or raise the high jump bar x amount. Specify character traits we’d like to develop. Not just playing the game, but playing wholeheartedly or being cheerful win or lose. Not just seeking points over another robotics team, but supporting the ideas of others.

Leave margin so we take on what is reasonable. When we rush from one activity to another, it’s hard to focus on improving my swing, showing gratitude, or having fun. In the margin, we can think.

Talk about our focus throughout the season to increase benefit from participation. Encouraging each other in our efforts with skill, knowledge, character development, or service is important. Otherwise, participation can become something we plow through in misery or enjoy at the cost of others.

One idea is to select priority character traits family members (including mom and dad) will focus on. Each works on those traits in whatever activity he participates. Or, individualize trait selections according to personal need. Friends can do these too. Discussion adds depth to our growth.

Enjoy! Fun counts! Fun is a valid reason to play basketball or learn chess. Enjoyment for its own sake is worthwhile as we do something we delight in whether we master it or not. A new soccer player ran off the field up to her coach in the middle of a game. Grinning, she exclaimed, “Coach, this is so much FUN!”

There’s tension between priorities and activities. We can lessen tension and maximize activities if we focus on certain priorities while participating. The important thing is to seek God and devote deliberate attention and follow through to what we do. Let’s not allow ourselves to be swept into channels of activity other than those God intends for us to sail in. Let’s reach port.

I wish I’d learned these things sooner. Please share what you’ve learned!

What considerations help you determine what activities to participate in?

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

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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

Cindy C.

"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.”

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/
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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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