Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Matthew 6:34 TPT

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GO

NEXT

“It’s time for you to get off that computer and come in here to enjoy these boys,” my husband yelled from the living room.

I worked from home and had some pressing deadlines before my next trip out of town to deliver training. I felt compelled to work even harder as my husband has resigned as a pastor, yet had not been put on full-time disability. I was worried that our bills would not be paid. I felt it was all up to me.

I wish I could say that I stopped and went in to enjoy time with our four grandsons. Instead, I was angry because I felt that my husband did not understand the pressure that I felt.

I was a perfectionist and had a detailed list of all that needed to get done. I was racing against an internal enemy that had plagued me most of my life – procrastination. Couple that with perfectionism and you had a person who was:

… always feeling rushed to get the NEXT item on my list

… always on the run

…. always feeling behind

…. always mad at myself because I could have done better

… always exhausted.

I was like that driver that was in such a hurry to get to her destination that kept changing lanes and still missed the green lights. Stay in your lane and focus on what only you can do.

The Fallacy of Multi-Tasking

I was so stressed about getting it all done that I did not prioritize. Afraid that I would be let go due to a slowing economy, I took on too many project on my job and placed unrealistic expectations on special holidays. I tried to do several things at once and had to go back to do them over again.

Hope Tools

• STOP and get off the hamster wheel. Recognize that you have things that only YOU can do and there are other things where you can ask for help.
• Perform a mind sweep. This is a concept from Getting Things Done that has been revolutionary in my life. Once you list everything that is rumbling around in your head, prioritize the five things you need to get done today. Make one of these REST!
• I love my Mom’s saying, “I have 1001 things to do today. One of them is REST so I am going to take a short nap and get back to what needs to be done.”
• Set your timer for 30 minutes and focus completely on one project. Once you see the progress you have made, either come back to it and switch to another project. Take posture and praise breaks every 30 minutes.
• Give yourself permission to make forward progress even if it is not perfect. Stop all the planning and get to the doing. It is in that process that your will grow and learn.
• Then and only then say NEXT.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that you are teaching me to enjoy the present moment before I just to the NEXT thought and project. As I prioritize my day, I ask for clarity and purpose to do what only I can do. Give me the courage to say ‘no’ when I need to do so. Grant me rest in knowing at the end of each day that I have accomplished my purpose for that day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

STOP

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Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Her books will inspire you to embrace hope no matter what you are going through. As a caregiver and widow she took brave steps forward to fulfill God’s calling on her life. She has now remarried and enjoys her new hubby and spending time with their children and grandchildren. To increase hope and improve relationships with yourself and those that you love, check out her Facebook page – The Power of Hope.