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What CAN I Do? – You Can!

Mindset

23 May

Former procrastinators, I’m touching up some earlier blogs to share.  This will give me opportunity to deal with some new developments at home.  Thank you!

Circus trainers chain a young elephant to a stake in the ground – which holds him in place. As he grows, the elephant develops the strength to easily pull up the stake and take off.  However, his mentality continues to be that the stake in the ground holds him down.  And so he stays.

Not the elephant’s circumstances, but his thinking holds him back. He believes he is unable to move away. My dad used to say, “’Can’t never could” to point out that thinking we could not do something prevented us from doing it.

This analogy applies to those of us inclined to put things off – especially when we’re overwhelmed or discouraged and feel there’s nothing we can do about a situation.

Ask, “What CAN I do?”

This is a revolutionary question!  It results in progress and accomplishment.  It removes a sense of helplessness and feeling overwhelmed.  This question moves us beyond feelings that might control our thinking.

“What CAN I do?” opens my eyes to see one small thing. Doing that thing usually results in seeing something else I can do.  Sometimes doing one small thing releases a log jam and the whole situation opens up.

Faced with a jumbled bedroom, What CAN I do?  I can put shoes in the closet.  In the office, “What CAN I do?”  I can put priority papers on top. In the kitchen, “What CAN I do?”  I can put the food away.

What CAN I do in my job search? I can learn how to write a resume.  What CAN I do for that missionary?  I can email and ask her needs.

Teaching our children to ask “What CAN I do?” develops a great life skill. “I can pick up the Legos.”  “I can speak with a kind voice.”

Jesus broke the chains that held us to procrastination. We are not bound to staying where we are. 

What CAN you do today in some situation you previously thought left you unable to act?

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2 Comments

« Put Off, Put On – You Can!
Yep, Eat Canned Veggies – You Can! »

Comments

  1. Lynn s says

    May 26, 2021 at 7:43 am

    I can plant flower seeds 🙂

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      May 26, 2021 at 11:14 am

      And spread joy!

      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."
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“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.”
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“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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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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