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What CAN I Do?

Decision Making· Mindset

9 Oct

Remember the circus elephant, fellow former procrastinators? When young and small, he is chained to a stake in the ground.  At that point in his life, the stake holds him in place. As time passes, the elephant grows quite capable of walking away.  He easily has the strength and ability to pull up the stake and take off.  However, his mentality continues to be that the stake in the ground holds him right where he is.  And so he stays.

Not the elephant’s circumstances, but his thinking holds him back. His trainers have conditioned him to believe he is unable to move away.  He believes that delusion. 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 has many applications for those of us inclined to put things off. Let’s consider those times when we’re dismayed, disgusted, or discouraged and feel there’s nothing we can do about a situation.

Ask, “What CAN I do?”

This is a revolutionary question! “What CAN I do?” is encouraging!  It results in progress and a sense of accomplishment.  It removes a sense of helplessness and reduces the sense of 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 the revelation of something else I can do.  Sometimes doing one small thing releases a log jam and the whole situation opens up.

I first asked “What CAN I do?” while helping with a jumbled bedroom. I can put shoes in the closet.  I can throw away trash.  Now, I ask “What CAN I do?” in the office.  I’m always astounded to find so many stray items belonging to me and tasks I can handle.  “What CAN I do?” when the kitchen looks decent. I see a bag of chips to tuck away, then a towel to hang.

What CAN I do in my job search? I can learn on line how to update a resume.  What CAN I do to control my eating?  I can make a grocery list of healthy snacks.  What CAN I do for that missionary?  I can email her personal greetings 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.”

“What CAN I do?” helps me now while nursing a sprained ankle. This sitting around really cramps my style.  But I can write blogs, work on Bible study, make calls, read.

Jesus broke the chains that held us to procrastination. The Holy Spirit lives inside us believers to guide and empower us.  We are not chained elephants bound to staying where we are.  Besides, since we can pray, we are powerful.

What CAN you do today on some project or situation that you previously thought left you unable to act?

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4 Comments

« “I’m Not in Control”
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Comments

  1. Phyllis Sergent says

    October 9, 2017 at 7:36 am

    I can be that elephant too! Reminds me of two of my favorite scriptures:

    Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

    2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

    Be blessed, and thank you Beth!

    Reply
    • beth sterne says

      October 9, 2017 at 9:38 am

      Great scriptures, Phyllis. It’s remarkable how we think ourselves into a box. Or, think ourselves chained to a stake that actually does not restrict us. Even if the thing I CAN do is small, doing it has large positive effects. God bless you!

      Reply
  2. Donna C says

    October 23, 2017 at 11:16 am

    This concept is genius! What a wonderful way to help a young child or elderly parent increase their confidence and take one small step toward conquering a task that seems overwhelming in the moment. How do we “eat” the proverbial elephant? One small bite at a time. This empowers me to
    Just start somewhere!

    Reply
    • beth sterne says

      October 23, 2017 at 11:26 am

      So glad! This is changing lots for me. It’s so simple. I’m glad you like this, Donna. Thanks!

      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."
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.”

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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.”
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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.”

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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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