Getting Things Done

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”

Jeremiah 29:11

“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.”

Proverbs 16:3

“Do I have to clear the table?”
“Not if you go write your paper.”
My son jumped up from the table and went straight to his computer!
He spells aloud as he types, “Y-O-U-R-P-A-P-E-R”.

A few minutes later, I tell him, “You need to write more on your paper.”
He types “M-O-R-E-O-N” above the previous words.

He then went back to his Minecraft video. I firmly stated that he needs to write a paragraph of his paper before he could watch anymore.
He again spoke as he typed, “A-P-A-R-A-G-R-A-P-H”.

Thankfully, we had a few laughs, he finally wrote a paragraph, and I cleared the table.

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. Whatever the project or assignment, we can make it so much bigger in our minds that we dread it. We move at the speed of snail. At other times, we confuse excitement with stress. We get anxious and let our emotions make us freeze. We often want everything done perfectly.

We need to take time to ask the Lord for help and guidance. He wants to be involved in every area of our lives. Take some deep breaths to ground yourself. Give God your questions. Listen quietly for a few moments and trust that He will lead you to the answers.

Next, set a timer for 15 minutes, and just get started.
Add some fun music.
Begin with a quick task to get you moving:
Clean your desktop before you start writing.
Empty your dishwasher before you start cooking.
Put on workout clothes and just start walking or moving.
When the timer goes off, you can decide if you want to continue.
Often once we get started, we’re engaged enough to keep going.

Create a list of positive rewards to choose from when your task is complete.
And thank the Lord for His help and for giving you the strength and skills you need.

Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for another day and an opportunity to use the gifts You have given me. Please help me to know the most important things for me to do today and give me the strength to get started and see them through. Thank You for promising to stay with me always.
In Christ’s name, Amen.

Journal: Review your planner and make a list of tasks/projects you need to work on today. Break each down into manageable parts. Ask God to help you with your decisions. Put a heart in front of those you plan to do and check them off when completed.

Photo by Diego Gennaro on Unsplash