It's a joy for me to host my sweet and gifted friend, Glynnis Whitwer today. Glynnis is one of the most productive and organized people I know, and she's written a book that will help you choose wisely, be led by the Holy Spirit, and become more productive--without losing your mind. I love this book and am sure you will too. Be sure to follow the instructions below for your chance to win a signed copy!
A few years
ago, I had to face a hard truth about myself. Although my days were filled with
good things, I wasn’t always choosing
the best things. The things that mattered most, often fell to
the bottom of my to-do list. Then I’d transfer them to the next list, and
sometimes they even fell off the
list.
I thought
the solution might be to work harder. But that only produced a stressed out, burned
out mess of a woman, who was short-changing God, her family, friends and
herself.
What God
helped me discover was an internal tendency that was impacting my ability to
get the right things done. When faced with two choices of what to do, I want to
choose the easier of two tasks. For example, if my choice was between answering
emails or working on a chapter of my book, I’d start with the emails thinking
to check some things quickly off my list. Only once I started on emails, I was
on a runaway train of “busywork,” and that creative project got pushed aside.
Thankfully
God showed me my choices were creating a habit of procrastination that needed
addressing. And working harder was never going to solve the root problem.
There were
some complicated issues to uncover, but I also discovered small changes can produce
the greatest amount of impact.
Procrastinators
often repeat the same habits, hoping for a different result. Some times we need
a small tweak in our approach to find success. Facing any personal struggle
takes creativity, persistence and a willingness to try something new. But we
can change.
Here are
some of the small changes that made a big difference in how I managed my
responsibilities.
Build renewal into your week
If we want
to sustain energy to fulfill God’s calling on our lives and complete the work
He has given us to do, we should build renewal into our lives on a weekly
basis.
God
actually designed the need for rest and renewal into our minds and bodies,
starting with the need for seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Then He
designed an ultradian rhythm into our bodies, which creates a lull in focus and
energy every 60 to 90 minutes. Rather than pushing through with a dose of
caffeine, give yourself a much needed 5-10 minute break. The other significant
renewal God designed is the Sabbath. I have to trust God knows more than I do
about what’s best for me, and honor this important day of the week with true
rest.
Develop smart routines
Routines
help us conserve mental and physical energy by removing decision-making. What
time of day could use some order for you? Morning, after work, evening? Try
writing out a schedule, and assigning times to tasks. Most of us actually crave structure, we just
don’t realize it until we experience it.
Reward yourself
All parents
understand the power of rewards to get children to do the right thing. But I
wonder if we think we’ve outgrown the need for rewards. Apparently God doesn’t
think so, as there are over 80 verses in the Bible that refer to rewards.
I’m guilty
of assigning a reward only when I’ve completed my ultimate goal. But rather
than inspiring me to action, a reward that far away reinforces my perfectionist
thinking that the only thing to be celebrated is the completed project.
What I
should do is celebrate progress with small rewards along the way. So if you’ve
put off sorting through mail for a few weeks, promise yourself a small treat
when you’ve worked for five minutes. Actually, your first reward might be for
starting! And that’s okay.
If you feel
overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, just start small. Try making one
change and live with it for a while. Small positive changes have a powerful
cumulative affect. And one day, you’ll wake up and realize you don’t dread the
day so much. In fact, you actually can’t wait to get started on your best work.
FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SIGNED COPY of “Taming
the To-Do List: How to Choose Your Best Work Every Day”, please (1) leave a
comment sharing what small thing you intend to start, and what your reward
might be AND (2) leave your email in your comment so I can reach you if you win!
