Put Off Procrastination

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“Pick Two”

Habits & Routines

20 Mar

Former procrastinators, we know about bacon and eggs, cake and ice cream, a good book and a cozy blanket. Some things just go together. They pair up well. We can take advantage of pairing to facilitate chores we need to do – but more importantly, to make faithfulness to God and the pursuit of His callings our routine.

Pairing is hooking one thing onto another that we already have going. This reminds us to do the second thing and pretty soon they’re a natural pair. It’s a pleasant way of getting things done and often turns something we’d put off into something we look forward to doing.

The safety program that promotes checking our smoke detectors when we change our clocks has paired that task with “spring forward, fall back.” We can maximize the same approach.

Some like to pair a task they don’t like with one they do. A mom told me she felt alone and disappointed in the kitchen after dinner. She turned that into time she treasures by pairing clean up with prayer and praise.

Here are some ideas to shift your own into gear:

  • Pair early rising with even 15 minutes of writing, painting, or whatever the Lord has prompted you to pursue.
  • At the top of the stairs, I think “Stretch first.” It makes going down much less creaky! One man stretches while waiting for the coffee to brew – also a good time to unload the dishwasher.
  • A mom shared that her family pairs gassing up the van with cleaning the trash out of it. While the gas is pumping, they move trash to the station receptacle. “Gas in/Trash out!”
  • A friend paired scripture memory with showering – automatically five minutes of review.
  • Scripture memory also pairs well with walking the dog, waiting for an appointment, washing dishes.
  • Pray during the drive to the gym or on your commute – maybe for particular things at that time.
  • Pair days of the week with certain prayer topics. Monday – missions and missionaries, Tuesday – the times (local, state, national, world leaders) Wednesday – work (managers, CEO’s, your team) Etc.
  • Pull into the parking lot at work and pray for the boss’s wisdom, business, family
  • Pair family devotions with a meal
  • Connect ironing or mending with listening to a Bible teacher, audio book, or TV.
  • Enjoy a Bible teacher or audio book while commuting to work, eating lunch, jogging.
  • When leaving a medical office, make the next appointment. No having to remember later!
  • When leaving for the grocers’, offer to pick up items for an elderly neighbor.
  • Wiggle while watching TV. Balance on one foot, climb stairs during commercials, hula hoop!
  • Tackle mending while husband reads to the family. Coloring and Lego play help some kiddos listen.
  • A novel beside the bed entices me to go upstairs earlier.

Tell us what you already pair together. What new pairings could you create?

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4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Karen Galambos says

    March 20, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Two of my favorite pairs:

    Our trainer encourages us to do our “homework”, five minutes of core workout, every day before we shower.

    My least favorite household chore? Unloading the dishwasher! So I try to do it while brewing a cup of tea. I have a race against the water. Will the water boil or will I finish unloading the dishwasher first? I have recently started to lose to the water because I’d added a third to my pairing. I sharpen the knives before I put them away. It’s taking longer to unload the dishwasher, but nothing beats a sharp knife in the kitchen!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      March 23, 2017 at 7:29 am

      So good, Karen! Funny – I was just wondering is it better to shower first or stretch first? You answered that! Good example of moving yourself to action with an “unfavorite” chore. Thanks for the ideas!

      Reply
  2. Rebecca says

    March 20, 2017 at 8:32 am

    About 2 months ago I started associating time alone in prayer with making my bed. I hate having a messy bed and I won’t let myself make it until I have spent time alone in prayer. The visual reminder along with sharing my commitment with my husband, for accountability, has been really effective. I also do my prayer stretch while I am on my knees praying. Would that be a pick three?

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      March 23, 2017 at 7:34 am

      Excellent, Rebecca! Great ideas. It’s easy to move into our day without prayer first. You’ve set up a neon sign to remind yourself. I’m not familiar with a prayer stretch. What is that? So good to hear from you!

      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."
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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.”
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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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