https://youtu.be/CWPkfnWY7Pc?si=KvG26eLb7yqcp8Sf
Link to the video.
Procrastinating the easy stuff makes it hard. Procrastinating the hard stuff makes it impossible.
We all tend to procrastinate. It is as much a part of the human condition as laughter or love. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? That’s just what we do. The issue is not so much procrastination as it is getting STUCK in it. Here are 4 things that will help you put off putting things off and “run with perseverance the race set before you.” Hebrews 12:1
- Look back and remember how far you’ve come. Seeing the progress you’ve made will encourage you to stay with it, and look forward to what lies ahead. Paul says, “Forgetting those things which are behind…I press on.” But he says that only after he has looked back and remembered how far God has already brought him.
- Be aware of the long middle. Set shorter deadlines so that you don’t get stuck or bogged down in the lengthy distances from start to finish. Break your projects or your challenges into smaller, more manageable chunks and take each one as it comes. As long as I can see the finish line, I can keep going.
- Look for positive advice that you would give others and give it to yourself. There’s a lot to be said for healthy self-talk. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good stories. Be your own best coach. Say things like, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” and then go do it.
- Find intrinsic motivators. What are the things that bring joy to you? Connect those things to finishing the task. Lots of little celebrations along the way keep us moving forward and motivate us to finish the job. The writer of Hebrews said about Jesus, “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2 See the joy and run towards it.
Don’t beat yourself up for procrastinating, but don’t live there either. Do the next right thing and take it one day at a time.
PS I have been asked to make a more intentional connection of my various musings and Branches. The good news is that I will, hopefully, be more consistent in landing places for blogs, daily thoughts, and MondayMatters videos. You can be very helpful with this by:
1. Liking and sharing the various posts on your favorite social media platforms.
2. Following and subscribing to be notified when new stuff posts.
3. Responding whenever you can with comments, suggestions for future topics, ideas to write on, and $20 bills (
just kidding about that one.)
Here’s a place to start:
Go to branchesblog.com and subscribe.
Go to my YouTube channel ( @cmichaelcourtney ) and the Branches channel ( @BranchesCounseling ) and subscribe and comment.
Finally, go to my Facebook page (Mike Courtney) and the Branches Facebook page (Branches Counseling Center) and like, share, and subscribe.
Thank you, blessings on you and all you do. Mike