Put Off Procrastination

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Work In Season

Beth's Story

18 Aug

dreamstime_xs_17282773I did not see myself as a procrastinator. I was busy and I got a lot done.

So why did I often underline scripture passages that spoke about my use of time and things related? Why did I feel God wanted to get my attention about that? Did He want me to do more? Work faster?

I desperately wanted to change from being tardy to being prompt. I devoured magazine articles on self improvement, talks on time management, and books on organization. I tried for years. I did not change.

Good news at last! After reading Proverbs 6:6-11 a gazillion times over the years, the little ant got my attention! Verses 6-8 say:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” (NKJV)

“In the summer” and “in the harvest” jumped off the page! There is a season in which to do a thing. There is a season to benefit from having done it. If you don’t do the first, you don’t get the second.

I need to learn to work in season – to do WHAT needs doing WHEN it needs doing.

My goal before leaving the house in the morning had always been to first complete as many chores as possible – dishes done, beds made, dinner started, email answered, plants watered, etc. Then when it was time to leave – there I stood in my pj’s. If I was going to wear clothes to this event, I was going to be late.

(I know. This was nuts.)

Now I realize the in season thing to do is to dress first. Then do other things. I can leave the house without watering the plants. I cannot leave without putting on clothes.

Work in season. Benefit in season.

To help me remember to work in season each morning, I repeat a little jingle to myself: “Do what it takes to get out the door! After that – maybe more.” It’s working! I can practically hear a chorus of tiny ant voices singing along: “Do what it takes to get out the door! After that – maybe more.”

This is where God got my attention and began to change me.

Do what needs doing when it needs doing. Work in season. That’s what I had been missing!

This week, notice a time you did not do WHAT needed doing WHEN it needed doing and you missed out on the benefit. Oops! Spot an incident in which you DID WHAT needed doing WHEN it needed doing, and you received the benefit of a job done. Yea!

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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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Cindy C.

"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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