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Practice Run Routines

Habits & Routines

28 Aug

Former procrastinators, I knew a first grade teacher who was a master at streamlining the many new things her students had to deal with.  We can all learn from her.

The first month she focused on habit formation.  What to do when the teacher says to line up, where to hang your coat, how to store books and supplies in your desk, how to sharpen pencils, how to behave in assembly.  She allowed a great deal of time for teaching these things.  She went over and over them with patience.  They would practice drill these things during the day, not just at the time they needed to be done.  When they were needed, she allowed extra time so nobody had to rush.

She said this attention to routine and habit formation paid off big time.  Students learned what to do when, acted promptly and respectfully, felt comfortable doing what they’d practiced, and had the items they needed.  It was not necessary to fight these battles throughout the year –  no ever-occurring drag, delays, or frustration.  With habits settled and routines familiar, students were free to learn academics and easily “caught up” with the curriculum.

A particular child can require regular extra help.  Imagine how much easier it is to give that help when all others are moving in the routine!  When you don’t have to direct everybody!

We can give habit training its own focus.  If we put off learning routines until the fall schedule starts, there’s too much to learn at once.  Starting routines a week or so before school starts will take a load off.  Practicing ahead reveals glitches we can correct before they impact work or school days.

Here’s an example to help kick start thinking:  (Wish I’d done this “back when”!)

What’s our aim?    Walk out of the house at 7:40.

What must be done to achieve that?  Everybody dressed, make beds, prepare breakfast, eat, clean up, check and load all back packs, totes, or briefcases, make lunch, feed and walk dog.

What can we accomplish the night before and when?  After dinner, make lunches. Before going to bedrooms, check backpacks and brief cases and place by the door.  Before lights out position shoes with clothes.

How will we set up the morning?  Establish get up time.  Use alarm.   Mom wakes little ones.  Set time everyone gathers in the kitchen for pre-assigned chores.  Who does what?

How will we build in margin?  Add 5 minutes to each task.  Start 15 minutes sooner.

How will we interact with each other or treat ourselves when something goes amiss?  Be patient, respectful, kind, helpful.

Everybody – or just myself – running in different directions, bumping and crashing through tasks makes a fun movie to watch but can be hard to live with in person. Adapt a page from my teacher friend’s book; practice run routines you want to use – before you need them.  I know somebody who’s begun.

What routines will you practice ahead of time and when?

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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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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.

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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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