Procrastination

I recently shared a post on social media that says “Time is precious. Don’t waste it.”

Many of us struggle with procrastination whether it is in one area or several areas of our lives. I do not know a single person who can say that they never procrastinate. As I look at my to-do list and my list of dreams I would like to accomplish, I start to evaluate the things that have been on my list for a long time and think more about reasons why I haven’t done them.

As I look over my lists, I realize that many of the items, specifically the big ones make me feel fear.

My lists are broken down into many parts. First there are minor things that only affect me, such as reorganizing my office, electronic file cleanup and shredding junk mail and old documents. These things seem to get put off indefinitely. While they are easy tasks, they are time-consuming and annoying.

The shortest list are the things that I have been asked to do or volunteer to do for others. I rarely procrastinate when it directly affects someone else. I hate the thought of anyone waiting for me to do something or delaying their progress because of my inaction.

Big tasks that are long-term goals such as inventing products, starting a blog, writing a book, or taking a class to learn something new seemed to just stay on the list without me doing very much to work toward achieving it. At that point it becomes little more than a list of dreams that I am not willing to work for. My excuse was that the time and the conditions were not right.

I am a huge dreamer, and I believe that all my dreams will come true. That is, except for unicorns being real. It’s probably best that they remain mythical. Perfect conditions for me meant getting married to a man who will tell me that I do not need to work, and that it would make him happy to see me pursuing the things that make me happy. That is when I imagined taking on the big things on my list. At some point, I would find my niche and do something that will make lots of money so the financial responsibility will not be completely on him; but first I just need the time, space, and financial support to explore. In case you are concerned, I will make sure that I am an excellent wife as well. If he can understand the quirkiness that comes with me, he certainly deserves for me to be an amazing wife.

For years, in my mind those big things on my list only affected me. If it did not happen, maybe it was not meant to be. I was wrong. I realized that the dreams I have, (maybe not the ones about unicorns) are things that God placed in me with every intention for me to live it out. Even if sharing my journey through this blog, a book, or a podcast only helps one person, I am doing what God put me here to do…and I am just getting started.

I will always reiterate the fact that I want everything that God has for me. For that to happen, I must take responsibility for doing my part. That requires me to move when God says to move. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”

Waiting for non-existent perfect conditions and making excuses is not an option. I refuse to continue to delay or forfeit what God has for me because of procrastination on my part, or a desire for things to be easy or to happen in a certain order. God is not pausing or canceling His plan for my life simply because this husband that I dream of has not come along yet to do things the way I want them done. I am learning to hold on to my dreams but to let God bring them to pass in the order and way that He sees fit. The point is my only focus needs to be on doing the things that God guides me to do when He tells me to do it.

In addition to lots of talking and listening to God, there are a few favorite quotes about fear that really help me to keep taking the next steps in my journey. They have encouraged and continue to help me to press forward with this blog and so many other things. Hopefully, they will encourage you as well.

• “Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.” –Brendan Francis Behan

• “You’re not a coward because you feel fear. We’re cowards if we give in to it and let it manipulate and control our lives.” –Joyce Meyer

• “Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try” -Michael Jordan

• “We can’t be the new version of us if we’re stuck being an old version. We’re going to need to change some things that have worked out in our past in order to make way for our future.” –Bob Goff

• “Fear is a part of all our lives. Even the most fearless among us have to stare it down and decide to act anyway.” –Bob Goff

• “Once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.” -Unknown

During a sermon some time ago at church, the pastor said, “God called me to live in the faith zone, not the comfort zone.” This is what God has called us all to do. I’ve said it before, and I will say it over and over. God has an amazing plan for your life. If you are living it out, that is awesome! If not, there is no better time than right now to get started.

Spoiler alert – Whether you get started or not, our time here on earth eventually runs out.

What are you waiting for? What are you afraid of? Have faith! Take the first step and trust that God will supply everything you need to take the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Before you know it, you will have accomplished something big, and your faith will continue to carry you to heights that you never imagined you would reach. It is an amazing journey!

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