Happy New Year, former procrastinators! Congratulations! We have behind us months of growth with our faithful God.
I treasure the days between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s when I review the year that’s ending and seek the Lord for the year ahead.
I’ve selected some thoughts that have been especially helpful to my fighting procrastination in 2016. Incorporating these into my thinking will help me walk in victory in 2017.
Daily, God renews our spirits and our opportunities to choose diligence – doing what needs doing when it needs doing.
What I DO – not what I intend – determines where I will end up.
Heading in the right direction (deciding what to do) does not equal moving in the right direction. Sometimes I need to physically step it up.
Choose what I want more over what I want in the moment. Emotions can take me away from where I want to go long-term, because feelings are easily diverted by instant gratification which is short- term.
Cherishing performance, wounds, expectations, clutter, or diversion keeps me from the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rest God has for me. Putting off rest works against God’s design for me.
It’s not how much gets done; it’s what gets done (priorities). Base routines on priorities. An ordered life (be it quiet or “noisy”) uses routine to focus regular attention on God-directed priorities. Routine enables me to do the important things.
Routine is the “bowling bumper” that insures I stay in the lane and therefore knock down some pins – priorities. Bumper routines keep me from putting off what I ought to do now. Putting off rolls me into the gutter. There’s still room for flexibility in the lane.
Decision- making and exercising my will drain my emotional, mental, and physical energy and my time. Routine is energy- giving because it frees my heart and mind from the demands of constant decision-making.
Procrastination is old man conduct. Diligence is new man. Procrastination is a deceitful lust. Be alert to what tempts me away from my path and later brings regret.
Procrastination puts off God – and His blessing.
The habit of diligence – doing what needs doing when it needs doing – provides relief over and over. It brings peace and freedom. Succeed or fail, I stand in His grace, and by His grace I continue to learn and grow.
What thought or action helped you procrastinate less and be more diligent in 2016?
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