Put Off Procrastination

  • Home
  • Meet Beth
  • Blog
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Speaking Schedule
  • Resources
    • You Might Be a Procrastinator If…
    • Books and More
    • Helpful Project Tips
    • Suggestions from You
    • Diligence Ditties
  • Contact

Whistle While We Work

Decision Making· Playtime & Rest

21 Sep

Last week my sister-in-law told this procrastinator, “We all need to remember to whistle while we work!” Why? Does it have to be fun? Come on, why not? “A merry heart does good like medicine.” Aren’t we more likely to do things that are energy giving? Let’s put off the sour faces and put on the cheerful. It’s catching. (Our Otter Daughter Sept. 7, 2015, A Merry Heart Prescription September 14, 2015.)

Our otter daughter explains that though she worked more slowly while singing, dancing, joking, she could actually do more because she lasted longer when the time was enjoyable.

Here are ideas from moms, daughters, and singles for making chores fun:

  • Say, “Let’s have a cleaning PARTY!” and take it from there.
  • Make the task achievable, work for a short time, be enthusiastic, encourage along the way.
  • Determine the chore. Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much you can get done in that amount of time.
  • Work together. Many hands make light work.
  • Get a whistle and any jerseys. Act like a coach or “play.” Have one team or more competing to beat the timer.
  • Divide up the house among siblings and mom. Draw straws, have picking privileges, etc. Then everybody works for the same set time.
  • Try naming parts of the house according to your take on them. “I’ve got the Siberian salt mine.” (The laundry room – I’ll never get out.) “I’m swabbing the deck.” (mopping) “I’m scaling the pyramid.” (Cleaning the stairs)
  • Give choices. Work alone or work together? What reward (within a given range) would you like after completing this? Etc.
  • Ask for ideas. “I don’t care for the way I’ve done this. Can you think of/show me a better way to vacuum?”
  • Declare “No relaxing until the job is done! Then we have popcorn and reading!”
  • Set a reward – trip to the park, ice cream, game including Mom, done today means no housework Saturday.
  • Consider how your child is wired (likes, dislikes, abilities) and adapt to those bents. “How would YOU like to get this job done, Johnny?”
  • Listen to podcasts – good for ironing, dusting.
  • The big favorite, music! Turn on whatever gets you moving! Sing along!

Actually, I did some of these things. So what was missing? Attitude. I had on my FROWNY game face. “This is business. Get this work done now.” I wish I’d redefined and worn my SMILEY kind of game face. “This is gonna be fun and we will be so glad to knock out the job!” Less pressuring ourselves or our kiddos – and more fun.

Whistling with a frowny face? Try it – and laugh!

What are your suggestions for whistling while we work?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

6 Comments

« A Merry Heart Prescription
Are You an “Only-a-Just-a”? »

Comments

  1. Elena Schuenemeyer says

    September 21, 2015 at 7:20 am

    I pray the Lord gives me joy through it all! I don’t always enjoy cleaning, but I sure enjoy the end result:)

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      September 26, 2015 at 8:15 pm

      AMEN, Elena!

      Reply
  2. Dana Edgar says

    September 21, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Such a blessing! I love this. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      September 26, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      Thank YOU, Dana!

      Reply
  3. Mary Roberts says

    September 23, 2015 at 7:46 am

    Wow! This brings back memories of when my children, now 31, 30 and 28, were little. Often the house was cluttered with toys, shoes, and books from one end to another. I would declare “Penny Pick Up!” and we all would rush around picking up and putting away as fast as we could. Each item would count for one penny and I could hear counting from all around the house. They were yelling encouragement to the youngest to keep him motivated. When the house was picked up in a matter of minutes, each would tell me how many pennies they earned. I would put that amount in a jar and when there was enough money in the jar for a trip to Dairy Queen.

    Waiting is often hard for little ones…and adults, too. Wiggly impatience can become cranky whining so I would sing Mr. Rogers’ song, “Let’s Think of Something to Do While We’re Waiting”, and after the initial “Mommmmm!” we would make up a game, tell riddles…whatever struck our fancy. Usually by the time the waiting was over, we were smiling again. As they got older I would remind them to grab a book to read if we had to wait. This was before everyone had a cell phone and I think back to those “good old days” with some longing. Sometimes I will break out in the Mr. Rogers’ song even now when we are together, just to see the smiles and hear the “Mommmmmm!” again.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      September 26, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Sounds like you were a fun mom, Mary!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.

Learn more about Beth ≫

Join me in gaining victory!

Subscribe to receive my weekly post in your email inbox with encouraging tips for tackling procrastination and creating peace.

Privacy Policy

Browse by Category

Browse Archives

What Others are Saying

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

Mary R.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/mary-r/
"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"

Josie O.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:10:12-04:00

Josie O.

"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/josie-o/
"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."

Megan P.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:40:50-04:00

Megan P.

"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/megan-p/
"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."

Cindy C.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/cindy-c/
“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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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/
0
0
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

Copyright © 2023 Beth Sterne | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy