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Today we had a family Bible study on procrastination…at the children’s request! Through our own process, including prayer, we settled on the following verse as an insight on the topic:
Proverbs 13:4 (NKJV)
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
We concluded some really basic things. For example, the lazy man has DESIRE, but no ACTION (not diligent)…so he has NOTHING (no result). The diligent person, on the other hand, had ACTION (diligent), and by implication had DESIRE too (something he took action toward). Now this may seem a bit speculative, but it really isn’t…it just describes how things work.
The person who procrastinates either doesn’t have DESIRE or doesn’t have ACTION. Not much else explains it (except not knowing the real situation). Haven’t you yourself experienced something you weren’t motivated to do, but suddenly something changed? Usually straightening the house, or your room, works this way. You aren’t motivated, you don’t “feel” like it…but suddenly you find out guests are coming over, or you can go to a friend’s house as soon as you clean your room (and example for the kids). Essentially, things can change in a moment!
So, what about procrastination? Well, either we don’t desire it or we are lacking in diligence. These two pieces take a lot of honesty to look at, but they really are about all there is to it. Now, if this is true, what do you do?
ANSWER: Either change the DESIRE or take ACTION.
Sorry, I know you wanted something better, but don’t quit yet. The ACTION is normally no big deal if you are really motivated…but how do you get yourself motivated?
I’ve found that when I don’t desire to do something, and have admitted it to myself, that I can look for another (usually higher) desire to connect it too. I’m going to get my doctorate in a few weeks, and quite frankly, I really didn’t desire the doctorate. I did desire to write a book, however, and I thought the classes and resources would help. What came out of it was a dissertation (Does Faith Guarantee Works; Rethinking the Reformation Cliché: We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone) [sorry…that’s the kind of thing you have to write about!], and a book on speaking that will be published this summer by Broadman / Holman called, “Preach on Your Feet: Musings on the Fine Art of Heart-to-Heart Communication.”
At any rate, this is much the key to procrastination. When you are not motivated, consider how it might relate to something that does motivate you. Pretty much I studied Spanish this way in college…I didn’t really like Spanish that much, but I needed 4 semesters of it to graduate! I’ve also found that once I have something that might motivate me, working on a mental description of it intensifies my desire. It doesn’t have to be a clear picture, but the clearer I get, the more real it seems. The kids mentioned how Christmas works this way…the decorations, the weather, and the presents under the tree, all make it “more real” so they are more excited. Your imagination has a similar effect when you just spend time thinking about the end result that motivates you. Of course, the deadline helps too!
If you want to learn a little more of this way of thinking, you might want to read The Path of Least Resistance by Robert Fritz.
I’m not suggesting I’ve told you the complete answer…but, you do have something to start with.
- If you are procrastinating, see if you can think of something else you are REALLY motivated to accomplish…which the thing you are procrastinating about is connected to.
- Next, describe it mentally until you get a pretty clear picture of the result you desire.
- Finally, take an action; that is, be diligent. It turns out to be quite amazing how one little step leads to another, and another, as you pick up speed.
I mean, isn’t this how it works? Doesn’t it explain why everyone hates filing taxes, but the ones expecting a refund work at it from the moment they can start…and those who owe wait until the last minute (or file an extension)? Well, you get the idea.
Again,
Proverbs 13:4 (NKJV)
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
God’s best,
Fred
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