How wonderful to spend time with fellow recovering procrastinators encouraging each other and looking forward to God’s change in us! We also embrace sisters who may not share our struggle but are willing to walk with us. Thank you!
I recently returned from a great time with a wonderful group of ladies in Atlantic Beach, FL. I feel like I have new friends as a result of that conference on procrastination. Lots of fun!
We considered the path of our feet – where we are actually headed because of our behavior. We recognized that desiring something or even planning it won’t bring a thing about. It’s what we actually DO that determines whether or not we stay on the road and reach our God-prompted desires.
What major influence will derail us from that road? Our own emotions.
God created us both rational and emotional. Still, we tend to disregard our emotions when approaching a change – like moving from procrastination to diligence. When I read Switch – How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath, I was surprised to see the control emotions exercise over us. Now I’m more alert.
The authors say that making a change means we are like a rider (our rational approach) on an elephant (our emotions) trying to keep the elephant on the path (moving through circumstances) to a destination we desire. Rational can handle long term quite well. Emotions tend to go for the short term, so they are easily diverted by instant gratification. Emotions are strong and stubborn and they’ll take over. Going for instant gratification takes elephant (and rider) off the path that will get them to the desired destination.
This is critical to remember as I ponder the path of my feet and let my ways be established. (Proverbs 4:26) Where is God prompting me to go? Can I keep my emotions from diverting me off the road?
Monday night I determine that tomorrow I will go to the gym and talk with a trainer. Rationally and emotionally I want to be a strong, healthy woman. Tuesday comes and I am busy with a long do list. If I skip the gym, I can do many things on the list. What’s one more day? My feelings push me to choose a lot of things vs. the priority thing.
At 8 a.m. I determine to eat healthy all day. At 10 a.m. I eat four chocolate frosted caramel marshmallow bars. My feelings diverted from the path to satisfy themselves short term. Emotions want a strong healthy me – but in the moment they want the yummy taste of something sweet.
What appeals to your emotions and could sabotage your journey?
Leave a Reply