March is here! I have been thinking this week about procrastination and some of the reasons why I don’t get things accomplished. I have created a challenge for myself, and I thought I would share it with you in case you want to do one for your life. I will tell you about that at the very end.
Let’s Talk about Procrastination
Where are my fellow procrastinators? That’s not a label I am exactly excited to wear, but I am a procrastinator at times. What does that mean?
- To put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
- It can also mean to be lazy, unmotivated, late, wasting time, or even to have apathy concerning something that you need to finish.
3 Things to Consider Concerning Procrastination
Is this a Spiritual Attack?
Like a lot of people, I am guilty of all of the behavior those definitions describe. I believe that there are other reasons why we put off doing things. It is not limited to the accomplishing of tasks or projects, but it can be addressing situations in our lives, or even having difficult but needed conversations with people. Sometimes there are spiritual assignments that are working against us.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
Ultimately Christ came for us to have an abundant and meaningful life. The ongoing, everyday mission of the enemy is to steal from us and to destroy not just our life, but the quality of it. If you see that any of these things are causing you to procrastinate, these might be spiritual attacks.
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Avoidance
- Distractions (people, social media, busy schedules, even fun activities)
What Gets Scheduled Gets Done
This not my quote, but I sure do love it. Writing things down is one way that you make yourself commit to doing something. Now, there is no magic in that completion, you still need to require yourself to do it, but it is motivation. What we avoid doing can be as small as making appointments or things that are just inconvenient. A schedule can act as a plan for completion.
When Are You Most Productive?
If you have a list containing both challenging and easy tasks, which are you instinctively inclined to work on first? I am the classic leave the hard stuff for later type of person. There are some things that I require “getting my mind right” to accomplish them. I try to use my time in ways where I can feel the most productive. I am learning to work with the way I am naturally wired to get things done. There are times of the day when I have more precise focus, and my brain is more efficient.
That, for me, is not the first thing in the morning. While I am an early riser, I fill the opening hours of my day with responsibilities that do not require a lot of focus or creativity. I have what I call a “reset” around 11:00 am or so. I get some fresh air and have some protein, and I get my second wind to accomplish a more extended day. That is one of my systems to be industrious. Find your best times for focus.
Here is the Challenge
- Make a list of 10 things (or less) that you have been avoiding doing.
- Commit to completing or initiating those in the next 30 days.
- What gets scheduled gets done. March is the schedule.
- Hold yourself accountable. Keep that list in front of you. Something powerful happens when you check things off of your list.
Let’s make March one of advancement! Look at some of the reasons why you have been avoiding or delaying. If they are spiritual attacks, address that in prayer. You have authority in the name of Jesus!
♥Liz