Put Off Procrastination

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Time’s Up

Decision Making

24 Oct

“Time’s up” – a devastating pronouncement for a procrastinator to face. We want to be “done.” We want to be ready to hear the words that mean our opportunity to act is over. We want to avoid regret. So now as former procrastinators, we do what needs doing when it needs doing.

This has come home to me as our family has gathered to bid farewell to my husband’s mom. He and I had the conversation about conversations.

Are there any conversations that need to take place? Is there any unfinished business?

Two especially important areas for conversation are asking forgiveness – or giving it – and expressing gratitude.

Often the Holy Spirit prompts action but we put it off. The more we put off talking with someone, the harder it is to carry out. The sooner we act on His prompts, the sooner we gain relief and restoration. Pressure is removed. We have freedom and peace. Failure to act makes us miserable.

In both cases two things are critical – time and ability.

We tend to assume that we will always have time. We won’t. Our time and the other person’s can be long. But it can also be suddenly, unexpectedly taken from us. As believers we know we can trust the Lord to be both sovereign and loving in these cases, but we can still struggle with regret.

Ability to have those conversations can also be removed. Age, accident, health can take away the ability to focus, process, or remember. Though we’re together physically with someone, the ability to interact can be hampered.

When apparent understanding has been affected we should not conclude it’s too late. It’s still worth talking since someone’s spirit can understand. We speak in faith.

How do we act on these conversations? How do we avoid missed opportunity? Pray, then initiate.

For the procrastination-inclined, it is tempting to say “I’ll pray for an opportunity.” That’s another delay.

We pray for prepared hearts and what to say. We make the first move; we initiate. We call or go for a visit. We can ask for a few moments alone in the hospital room.

Over the years Mom and I have asked for and given each other forgiveness. I’ve thanked her for her son and the good job she did. I’ve expressed my appreciation for her receiving me as her daughter. There is peace in our relationship and in our earthly parting.

There are others I should talk with. I need to pray and initiate the important conversations. Mom’s condition reminds me I want no regrets when time is up.

Who do you need to have an important conversation with?

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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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"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

Christine B.

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2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"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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