Put Off Procrastination

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Thankful I’m Learning!

Holidays

30 Nov

This happy recovering procrastinator is SO thankful! Our four children were here – two plus two spouses – and we had a wonderful time Wednesday night-Friday afternoon! Last year you ladies helped me with Thanksgiving because I felt accountable to you to practice what I was learning. For the first time ever I was ready. This year, I wanted to do what needed doing when it needed doing – earlier. Sure enough – even less pressure and more fun! Thank you!

Capsulizing what I learned this time, I see D-E-A-F. DEAF helped me turn a deaf ear to those mental demands for perfect performance – by me or anybody else. DEAF made me alert to walking free.

D – Do ahead. I completed menus and shopping the week before, began cooking Monday. I like things to be freshly prepared – but I’m getting over that. I even made the mashed potatoes ahead and warmed them. Yummy! For two dishes, I prepped and bagged the ingredients. I decided what to wear (for 3 days) to avoid indecision later. We asked a neighbor to come over and take pictures.

For future do aheads, during the year I plan to try freezing some recipes, try healthier versions, and purchase a Thanksgiving journal to use as Lynn mentioned in her comment last week.

E – Enjoy! Encouraging Expectations (November 15, 2015) gave me a light heart. I felt so little pressure it was easy to relax and laugh a lot. I even sat with everybody else watching the parade! Since I didn’t have to hurry while working, the kitchen was a more pleasant gathering spot than usual. I was able to go for a walk, play a game, talk.

A – Admire God. This wording adds to my worship and celebration. Besides the biggie that we were all together, there were “smaller” things for which to be grateful. Among them: staggered arrival times allowed focused visits, I went to bed at decent times the nights before (unlike last year), gracious willingness to pose for pictures with little warning, silly fun, serious talk, etc.

F – Flex. Some dishes did not turn out as I’d hoped, but I did NOT make them again. (They were gobbled up.) The men decided we should hook up a tablet with art app so we could see our Pictionary drawings on the TV screen. Cool! (Technology did not take over!) Son requested waffles so I scrapped my plan for our traditional breakfast and made waffles. Daughter asked that I omit a salad and serve raw veggies. Easy. I forgot the pumpkin pie – again – so put it in during lunch and it was ready when we were. I had bad hair, broken nails, and a happy heart.

Huge praise: Separately, both children commented on my calmness and readiness! They noticed! Praise the Lord for His work! Doing what needs doing when it needs doing relieves stress, brings peace and joy.

What lessons would you like to pass on to us this year?

 

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6 Comments

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Comments

  1. Karen Galambos says

    December 1, 2015 at 6:27 am

    It sounds like a wonderful visit! Praises!

    I am wondering if you hire out for weddings… 🙂

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      December 1, 2015 at 10:44 am

      Actually, I ‘m a pretty good wedding worker bee! But not for hire – maybe lunch!

      Reply
  2. Dolores Evans says

    December 1, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Thankful for so many answers to prayer & blessings. Know it was a sweet time. Ours was also relaxed & good. Praise the Lord!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      December 1, 2015 at 10:45 am

      It’s nice to relax after all the preparations. Leftovers are deeeelightful!

      Reply
  3. Mary Roberts says

    December 7, 2015 at 7:33 am

    What a delightful family time you had! Your children’s comments were the result of your DEAF and desire to walk free.

    We had friends over for dinner in the afternoon and we divided the menu. I decided to make and partially cooked my dishes the day before. My brother was visiting so I popped the turkey in the oven early and we headed out to the zoo. It was so relaxing. The zoo was not crowded and the animals were out! When we got home, there was plenty of time to finish before our friends arrived. The casseroles were just as good as if they had been made that morning and I treasure the time I had with Jim.

    Thanks for your encouragement!!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      December 7, 2015 at 11:09 am

      So glad you had such a good day! You, family, and friends were ABLE to enjoy each other!

      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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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.

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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.”
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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