Hey #JustWrite!! We have made it to July the 7th month (divine completion) where we usually celebrate independence with many fireworks. We are 6 months into 2016 and prayerfully all of us are solely focused on finishing strong. With that being said, this month's topic focuses on procrastination. Due to an important personal matter, I was not able to attend last month's writer support meeting. However, I did learn that the topic was about procrastination and there was an interesting round-table discussion with the attendees and their struggles. Although I wasn't there physically, I could relate from a mental and spiritual standpoint. I admit that these last few months have been filled with procrastination with everything. In all transparency, I shared with Kim in an email the following: "I had to pull away from everything and everyone and truly enjoy this rest and relaxation before the fall begins." "I cried for the first time in a long time the other night and it felt good. I didn't realize I was forcing myself to be strong (I was in that place before). With everything going on in the world, I'm taking each day as it comes and I'm not beating myself up over what I didn't accomplish." In that moment of sharing my struggle, I was reminded of what a dear sister told me the day before as she prayed with me: we can't do everything in our strength (Phil. 4:13) Very true statement and a great reality check. That's why I sympathize with my fellow scribes when it comes to procrastination. Whenever I'm faced with a condition or situation, I always look at the cause. In my research, I came across an article at http://motivationgrid.com/4-main-causes-procrastination-revealed/. According to the article, the four main causes of procrastination are:
1. A Fear of Failure
2. Excessive Perfectionism
3. Low Energy Levels
4. A Lack Of Focus
As I read about each cause, the Holy Spirit reminded me of who God is and how He helps us to overcome procrastination. When you start to have a fear of failure, remind yourself of 2 Timothy: 17, that says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." In order to succeed in life, we have to make mistakes and have failures. If not, how will we learn how to trust God and allow Him to work through our shortcomings? As writers, we have to learn how to celebrate our strengths and work on our weaknesses. Having fear cripples you and stunts your growth. Remember it is a process to write your book. Don't abort it by fearing failure. Next, this is a cause that many of us struggle with: excessive perfectionism. The editor in me needs to meditate on this scripture constantly, Psalm 18:30: "As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." God is the only one who is perfect. He is not flawed and there's nothing too big for Him. I love that this scripture says that when we trust in Him, He shields and protects. Yes, we operate in excellence in all that we do, but we must trust that God will perfect those things in us.
Third, low energy levels cause procrastination. Low energy levels impact whether or not we feel like doing anything at all. In order to be productive and active, we need a balance of sleep, diet, and exercise that will increase our capacity to not procrastinate. Remember, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
The last cause cannot be stressed enough: a lack of focus. In June's blog (The Write Foundation), I discussed the importance of having focus. A lack of focus can come from the fact that many of us are operating in busyness instead of business. There is a difference between the two. We are doing many things, but not really getting anything done. It is very important that we set attainable goals and know that we have direction in what we are striving to complete. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Don't get caught in feeling like you have no where to start. Begin with a simple prayer: "Lord show me what I need to do"
Now that we understand some causes of procrastination, it is time to be proactive and put a plan into action that will help us to overcome and be productive. Let us not put off what we can do write now.
JUST WRITE!!
In His service,
~Lequvia Ousley~
As I read about each cause, the Holy Spirit reminded me of who God is and how He helps us to overcome procrastination. When you start to have a fear of failure, remind yourself of 2 Timothy: 17, that says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." In order to succeed in life, we have to make mistakes and have failures. If not, how will we learn how to trust God and allow Him to work through our shortcomings? As writers, we have to learn how to celebrate our strengths and work on our weaknesses. Having fear cripples you and stunts your growth. Remember it is a process to write your book. Don't abort it by fearing failure. Next, this is a cause that many of us struggle with: excessive perfectionism. The editor in me needs to meditate on this scripture constantly, Psalm 18:30: "As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." God is the only one who is perfect. He is not flawed and there's nothing too big for Him. I love that this scripture says that when we trust in Him, He shields and protects. Yes, we operate in excellence in all that we do, but we must trust that God will perfect those things in us.Third, low energy levels cause procrastination. Low energy levels impact whether or not we feel like doing anything at all. In order to be productive and active, we need a balance of sleep, diet, and exercise that will increase our capacity to not procrastinate. Remember, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
The last cause cannot be stressed enough: a lack of focus. In June's blog (The Write Foundation), I discussed the importance of having focus. A lack of focus can come from the fact that many of us are operating in busyness instead of business. There is a difference between the two. We are doing many things, but not really getting anything done. It is very important that we set attainable goals and know that we have direction in what we are striving to complete. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Don't get caught in feeling like you have no where to start. Begin with a simple prayer: "Lord show me what I need to do"
Now that we understand some causes of procrastination, it is time to be proactive and put a plan into action that will help us to overcome and be productive. Let us not put off what we can do write now.
JUST WRITE!!
In His service,
~Lequvia Ousley~
