*peeks around the corner*
Hi everyone! Wow, it's been a few months. I'd love to say I haven't been around because I've been so busy with all my plans, but that wouldn't exactly be the truth. I'll admit, some of my old procrastinator habits have been hard at work lately. On the bright side, though, I'm back to working on it.
For a whole week (*eye roll* I know, a whole week, right?) I've been really trying to stay busy doing things that are worthwhile in the long run. I've gotten up every day (yes, every morning) early so I can do my devotions and start my day off with God. I've worked a little bit on editing my novel. I wrote a blog post (which I haven't done in forever).
I've even allowed myself to be humbled at work. That brings to mind a question, though... why, when we go to work, do we often leave God at home? I mean, He's always with us, but we don't always acknowledge His presence at work. I do try, but sometimes, if a situation is getting me flustered or something, it's like I tell God, "Stay in the corner, I'll handle this one." I end up screwing things up and feeling like such a terrible representation of Christ. This is something I'm working on, but seriously . . . Why is it so easy to do that at work? Yes, this is an actual question. I'm seriously asking. I really want to know your opinions.
Well, I know we're not there yet, but I feel like 2016 is going to be a big year for me. Like, really, super big! Why? You'll have to wait and see . . . okay, okay, I feel like this is the year for my ministry to get started. Which means, first, my book is going to be published, which means . . . I should probably finish it. Then . . . well, one step at a time. I'm determined to stay on task from now on and if/when exciting things happen, I'll be sure to keep you updated.
((PS - If you've read my most recent posts, you might have noticed I was trying to have a professional tone with this blog, and this post was, well, not so much. Well, this one, this is how I think. This one is me, and I'm learning (love my fourth day group!!) that being me is not so bad. So, the tone of this blog is changing and when I post something, it's just gonna be me, plain and simple, no professional expectations.))
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Monday, August 17, 2015
Getting back up
Let me be the first to admit, I've been slacking off the past few weeks. For about a week and a half, I jumped right into the idea of not procrastinating anymore, of staying busy and actually getting things done rather than to continue to talk about getting things done. Well, after that time of one and a half to two weeks, I thought, 'Wow, this is a lot of work," and took a break. That break put me back into my old habits. The break started with one day, then a weekend, then a week, and so on. I decided I will NOT let it become a regular habit again. I enjoyed feeling productive while I worked on those projects, and I WILL jump right back in.
This morning, I got up when the first alarm went off. I've gotten back into the habit of hitting the snooze button a few times until it turns off, then letting God wake me up about an hour later. Thankfully, He's always gotten me up with just enough time to do what I need to before going off to work. However, when that happens, there's rarely enough time for relaxing with coffee and quiet time with God. At first, I would get upset; I couldn't imagine why God wouldn't wake me with enough time for that. Then, I realized, time with God is a choice. If I wanted that time with Him, I was going to have to make the effort to get up when the alarm went off and show Him that I was serious about wanting that time with Him. So, this morning, I got up when the alarm went off - I didn't even hit the snooze button once!
Great start for the week! Tonight, I wrote an Inspired Thoughts post, which has suffered since I've gone back to my procrastination habits.
Tomorrow, I will make some requested updates to the Fearless website.
Wednesday, I will attempt to work on the Fellowship website.
Thursday, I will do some editing on my book and possibly work on a Fearless project.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled with all of this, but now I am getting back up and back into it all!
This morning, I got up when the first alarm went off. I've gotten back into the habit of hitting the snooze button a few times until it turns off, then letting God wake me up about an hour later. Thankfully, He's always gotten me up with just enough time to do what I need to before going off to work. However, when that happens, there's rarely enough time for relaxing with coffee and quiet time with God. At first, I would get upset; I couldn't imagine why God wouldn't wake me with enough time for that. Then, I realized, time with God is a choice. If I wanted that time with Him, I was going to have to make the effort to get up when the alarm went off and show Him that I was serious about wanting that time with Him. So, this morning, I got up when the alarm went off - I didn't even hit the snooze button once!
Great start for the week! Tonight, I wrote an Inspired Thoughts post, which has suffered since I've gone back to my procrastination habits.
Tomorrow, I will make some requested updates to the Fearless website.
Wednesday, I will attempt to work on the Fellowship website.
Thursday, I will do some editing on my book and possibly work on a Fearless project.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled with all of this, but now I am getting back up and back into it all!
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Continuing the Actions
Wow, I feel like I got so much done last week, and now it's time for another Inspired Thoughts blog post. Well, tomorrow morning. It's already written, though, and in the system, just patiently waiting until tomorrow morning.
Didn't quite get my schedule finished last week, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I worked every night on the Fearless website and discovered it was a more time-consuming project than I had originally planned, so probably should have given it more than one night on my schedule.
Anyway, here's my new schedule for this week, just so you all can hold me accountable. I may not get everything done, but when I say you can hold me accountable, I mean that you can at least hold me accountable for making an attempt and actually working on something, and not procrastinating having to work on anything.
Monday -Work on Fearless website. Update final page, set up account so people can buy tickets online, tweak colors and everything so it looks good on mobile/phones/tablets as well as desktop/laptop.
Edit (Monday) - Didn't get some of the little things done, but did get the final page completed! Yay! Every page on the website has been completed and all the information is up-to-date! Can't really set up a Paypal account until I go to the bank anyway, so I will get that done tomorrow.
Edit (Tuesday) - Got the website all tweaked and even fixed a problem I didn't know was a problem (I thought the website just wasn't cooperating about something, but it was actually a fixable problem!!)
Tuesday - Work on/Update Fellowship website.
Wednesday - Work on editing my book.
Thursday - Busy
Friday - Write a short story
Saturday - Fearless
Sunday - Write Monday's Inspired Thoughts blog post.
Didn't quite get my schedule finished last week, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I worked every night on the Fearless website and discovered it was a more time-consuming project than I had originally planned, so probably should have given it more than one night on my schedule.
Anyway, here's my new schedule for this week, just so you all can hold me accountable. I may not get everything done, but when I say you can hold me accountable, I mean that you can at least hold me accountable for making an attempt and actually working on something, and not procrastinating having to work on anything.
Monday -
Edit (Monday) - Didn't get some of the little things done, but did get the final page completed! Yay! Every page on the website has been completed and all the information is up-to-date! Can't really set up a Paypal account until I go to the bank anyway, so I will get that done tomorrow.
Edit (Tuesday) - Got the website all tweaked and even fixed a problem I didn't know was a problem (I thought the website just wasn't cooperating about something, but it was actually a fixable problem!!)
Tuesday - Work on/Update Fellowship website.
Wednesday - Work on editing my book.
Thursday - Busy
Friday - Write a short story
Saturday - Fearless
Sunday - Write Monday's Inspired Thoughts blog post.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Still a success
Well, I didn't get as much work on the website done as I would have liked to today, which means the rest will have to be done tomorrow, and the other projects will, accordingly, get pushed back by a day.
However, this is NOT the procrastinator in me saying, "I'll do it tomorrow." Instead, I am listening to the tired voice inside me that is telling me it's time for bed. I may not have finished the project, but I did work on it as I intended, and for that, I still consider the work done today to be a success.
So, just so you all can hold me accountable... that makes the new schedule:
Tuesday - Continue work on Fearless website.
Wednesday - Work on/Update Fellowship website.
Thursday - Probably not available.
Friday - Work on editing some of my book.
Sat/Sun - Fun weekend.
Monday - Inspired Thoughts blog post AND write a short story.
However, this is NOT the procrastinator in me saying, "I'll do it tomorrow." Instead, I am listening to the tired voice inside me that is telling me it's time for bed. I may not have finished the project, but I did work on it as I intended, and for that, I still consider the work done today to be a success.
So, just so you all can hold me accountable... that makes the new schedule:
Tuesday - Continue work on Fearless website.
Wednesday - Work on/Update Fellowship website.
Thursday - Probably not available.
Friday - Work on editing some of my book.
Sat/Sun - Fun weekend.
Monday - Inspired Thoughts blog post AND write a short story.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
More action
I'm a dreamer. Always have been and probably always will be. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big, but the problem starts when that's all you do.
I could talk for hours about things I like to do, want to do, or plan to do. When it comes to actually doing them, though, I tend to be a procrastinator. Unfortunately, this also includes things that I feel God wants me to do. I say I'll do them "later" or "tomorrow." Well, doing them "tomorrow" turns into another "tomorrow," then another "tomorrow," then another, and so on, until I finally realize it's been weeks or even months since I originally planned on doing something. A great example of this would be the blog I started and only added one post, but had intended to update it weekly.
Well, I've decided that needs to stop, and it needs to stop right now. Talking about the things I'm going to do is fine, but I also need to start putting action to those plans.
A new blog post WILL be going up first thing Monday (tomorrow) morning (it's actually already written and scheduled, so yay for not putting that off again).
I WILL be working on the Fearless website on Monday.
I WILL be updating the Fellowship website on Tuesday.
I WILL be working on editing some of my book on Wednesday.
There is no more "I'll do it tomorrow."
While I think one part of the problem is general procrastinating, I think another part of the problem is that there are so many things I have on my plate that I would like to do, I start to feel overwhelmed at the idea and then nothing gets done. That's why I've only given myself one project per day.
I could talk for hours about things I like to do, want to do, or plan to do. When it comes to actually doing them, though, I tend to be a procrastinator. Unfortunately, this also includes things that I feel God wants me to do. I say I'll do them "later" or "tomorrow." Well, doing them "tomorrow" turns into another "tomorrow," then another "tomorrow," then another, and so on, until I finally realize it's been weeks or even months since I originally planned on doing something. A great example of this would be the blog I started and only added one post, but had intended to update it weekly.
Well, I've decided that needs to stop, and it needs to stop right now. Talking about the things I'm going to do is fine, but I also need to start putting action to those plans.
A new blog post WILL be going up first thing Monday (tomorrow) morning (it's actually already written and scheduled, so yay for not putting that off again).
I WILL be working on the Fearless website on Monday.
I WILL be updating the Fellowship website on Tuesday.
I WILL be working on editing some of my book on Wednesday.
There is no more "I'll do it tomorrow."
While I think one part of the problem is general procrastinating, I think another part of the problem is that there are so many things I have on my plate that I would like to do, I start to feel overwhelmed at the idea and then nothing gets done. That's why I've only given myself one project per day.
Monday, May 25, 2015
New Blog
I love listening to Contemporary Christian music. I always find the lyrics to be inspirational, and at times, even an encouragement for something that is going on in my life at the time. The lyrics are usually based off of themes, ideas, passages, etc, found in the Bible (otherwise, it couldn't really be called a Christian song, could it?).
Last year, I was inspired by the song, Steal My Show, by TobyMac, so much, I wanted to make that my "theme song" for the year. I mean by that, that I wanted to spend the year getting closer to God and learning how to let Him use me to do His work.
This year, I had a hard time deciding what part of my walk with Christ I wanted to focus on. While last year was an amazing year of growth, and while I will always be searching for ways He can use me, I wanted to focus on something different this year. Still, what exactly that would be has been a hard decision. "What is God trying to teach me right now?" has been a constant question.
I've noticed lately that while dealing with some negativity in my life, the songs, Speak Life, by TobyMac and Words, by Hawk Nelson, kept coming to mind. Anyone who knows me will tell you that if I get angry or feel that something needs to be said, I am not afraid to speak my mind (or perhaps this should be past tense). This is something that God has been dealing with me about, and every time I feel like I want to speak my mind (not in love), He gives me these two songs, both of which encourage me to speak positive things and to encourage others.
Taking that as an inspiration, a few weeks ago, I finally determined how God wanted to work with me this year. Taking last years lessons of learning to let God use me for His work (His work, His credit, not mine), this year I will apply those lessons and put them into action.
Last year, He worked in my heart. This year, He will work through a talent and passion He has given me, my writing.
And so, I present to you, the beginnings of a new blog: http://aheartfeltprayer.blogspot.com/
He has already given me many topics to write about, and with His help, I intend to write/post something once a week (starting today, and every Monday in the foreseeable future).
I hope you will be encouraged and inspired by something you read.
-----
PS - This blog will remain as one to be used personally (personal updates), and my other blog, http://storywriter85.blogspot.com/, will be used for all creative writings (I will eventually put all of my stories on that blog).
Last year, I was inspired by the song, Steal My Show, by TobyMac, so much, I wanted to make that my "theme song" for the year. I mean by that, that I wanted to spend the year getting closer to God and learning how to let Him use me to do His work.
This year, I had a hard time deciding what part of my walk with Christ I wanted to focus on. While last year was an amazing year of growth, and while I will always be searching for ways He can use me, I wanted to focus on something different this year. Still, what exactly that would be has been a hard decision. "What is God trying to teach me right now?" has been a constant question.
I've noticed lately that while dealing with some negativity in my life, the songs, Speak Life, by TobyMac and Words, by Hawk Nelson, kept coming to mind. Anyone who knows me will tell you that if I get angry or feel that something needs to be said, I am not afraid to speak my mind (or perhaps this should be past tense). This is something that God has been dealing with me about, and every time I feel like I want to speak my mind (not in love), He gives me these two songs, both of which encourage me to speak positive things and to encourage others.
Taking that as an inspiration, a few weeks ago, I finally determined how God wanted to work with me this year. Taking last years lessons of learning to let God use me for His work (His work, His credit, not mine), this year I will apply those lessons and put them into action.
Last year, He worked in my heart. This year, He will work through a talent and passion He has given me, my writing.
And so, I present to you, the beginnings of a new blog: http://aheartfeltprayer.blogspot.com/
He has already given me many topics to write about, and with His help, I intend to write/post something once a week (starting today, and every Monday in the foreseeable future).
I hope you will be encouraged and inspired by something you read.
-----
PS - This blog will remain as one to be used personally (personal updates), and my other blog, http://storywriter85.blogspot.com/, will be used for all creative writings (I will eventually put all of my stories on that blog).
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