Put Off Procrastination

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Monkey, Let Go!

Habits & Routines

26 Oct

Sometimes as a recovering procrastinator, I hold onto an idea that I’m convinced is the best or only way to do something. I was convinced I had to work a long day – which threw our household into late dinner, late bedtime, late get ups or less sleep, etc. I resisted letting go the very thing that caused me problems.

I remind myself of the story told about a captured monkey. The monkey finds a jar and discovers it contains a few nuts. Eager to have them, he sticks his hand in the jar and grasps the nuts. With his hand in a fist, he is unable to withdraw it through the jar opening. He twists, turns, and pounds to no avail. He could easily slip his hand out if he were willing to let go of the nuts. Instead, he is captive to what he will not release.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6, Proverbs 3:34.

Often it is pride that makes us cling to what we want – even a way of doing things. We “scorn” a change – reject or dismiss an idea as unworthy. “That will never work at my house.” Take the idea to the Lord. He might inspire a variation of that suggestion that works beautifully for you.

If I’m humble to try ideas other than my own, I can often facilitate diligence. I can make life easier for me and others and benefit from change. I can maintain connection to Jesus the Vine and promote godly fruit.

What “nuts” can you let go of to facilitate blessing?

  • Facilitate smoother mornings by making lunches the night before
  • Facilitate having children in your home by filling a basket of toys to pull out for young visitors
  • Facilitate a less pressured Christmas by determining financial boundaries and shopping early
  • Facilitate a calmer meal by making sure everything is on the table before sitting down

I joyfully report that eating dinner at 6:30 has facilitated an earlier bedtime at our house and an easier get up the next morning. Work time is more productive. Thank you, husband, for your request! Thank you, ladies, for praying me out of resistance to that change!

My next thing to facilitate is accessibility to papers regarding events and projects in our life. We need ONE place to go for invitations, forms, info sheets. Nothing fancy. I’ll call it “Current Ops” for current operations. Ideas?

What task or process would you like to make easier? Sisters, share your suggestions!

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1 Comment

« Make It Easy
“Current Ops” Box »

Comments

  1. Dana Edgar says

    October 26, 2015 at 8:25 am

    Hi Beth,

    There is a ministry called Power of Moms. It is a Mormon ministry to get things done. The creators of the ministry took their ideas from a book called Getting Things Done. This man names The World Bank and the Navy, among his clients that he organizes. The author addresses this very question of a command central station. It is the meat of the book and it is excellent. Essentially, you collect everything relating to what you have to do in one work area/office. Then you look at it and organize it weekly. They give the details. I love it. Between your ministry and theirs I am a much better servant than I have ever been, and moving forward!

    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 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/
“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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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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