Taming The To-Do List {P31OBS Week 2}

"The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name." 

Psalm 91:14

Oh wedding season, how you drain me at times! I've tried to dedicate my lunch breaks to catching up on my readings for this study, but I've been falling behind. Thankfully, I'm surrounded by amazing woman at work that continually encourage me to keep moving...even if it is as a slower pace! So, week 2...wow! Each chapter this week has completely hit home...which is both reassuring and terrifying.

In chapter 4, we addressed the price we pay for over-committing our time or procrastinating various tasks. Just as there is a price to our bad decisions, there is a price to good decisions too. She uses a great example that completely correlates to a goal of mine: If I say yes to reading my Bible every morning than I must say no to something like sleeping in a few more minutes. She mentions that if we want to be sincere followers of Jesus we have to put Him first in our lives and the cost of not doing so is just too high. She continues to explain that these costs of our decisions can be costs to our character, calling, unmet potential, and health. So many of her examples felt like pages torn out of my personal story. I have the talent to justify any decision, good or bad, with notions of what I deserve or "need".  I get so overwhelmed due to over-committing, that I tend to put off the hard projects until I have to push through them. I white lie about progress so others don't get a sense of me being overwhelmed because I put way too much value on my "to-dones" than I should. Too often have I equated "I don't have the time to do that" as an admittance of weakness. All of this leads to unnecessary stress that can seriously affect health...and has affected my health. Just so uncool! This biggest "aha" moment of the chapter was when she mentioned that the greatest cost any of us can pay is in our relationships...first with God and then with those we love. Oh, how true this is! I will kill myself to get tasks done...even if it means putting off the time I had dedicated to reading my Bible or going to church or even spending time with my family. Seeing those words in front of me was the nudge I needed to make a change! We must prioritize God and people over everything! I love that!

In chapter 5, she busted so many of the myths we tell ourselves. I just mentioned how I can justify any decision...and she tore my reasons down! I work better under pressure...I'll feel more like it tomorrow...I'm too busy to get that done...I'VE GOT THIS! Oh no, I've said all of these and more! True procrastination involves a voluntary delay of something we could do but chose not to...period. I could do all of my tasks strategically or methodically, but I chose not to because I'm too consumed with something unimportant that I shouldn't have agreed to do in the first place! Because of this chapter, I've started making a list of what my actual priorities are and the tasks that directly correlate with those priorities. If I have time to do more after, great...if not, oh well.

Chapter 6 wasn't my favorite because it was the least relevant for me. It was all about overcoming fears. She talks about fear of failure...and I do have a fear of failure and a fear of the loss of control, but it isn't entirely debilitating. I don't think my underlying reasons for procrastinating tasks is due a fear. She continues to explain misplaced identity and I can admit that I placed a huge star next to this portion. I do place too much of my identity on results...even bad ones. If I stumble, I label myself clumsy. If I make a mistake, I label myself stupid. If my house is too dirty, I label myself pathetic. Even if its temporarily, that label is there...and it never feels good. What's worse...that negative labels always trumps any positive labels I give myself..always. I love how she transitioned next to mention that only one label really matters...as His chosen and beloved child. (John 1:12).

So many truth bombs this week...and based on the titles of the chapters of week 3...I think there are more truth bombs ahead! Loving this study...even if it is making me feel a tad bit vulnerable!

Taming The To-Do List {P31OBS Week 1}

"Ever just wish the world would stop for a day so you could catch up?"

When I read this in the email from the Proverbs 31 Ministries advertising their Fall online Bible study, I was immediately intrigued. I would LOVE an off day to catch up on my never ending to-do list. I feel like no matter what I get done in a day...it's never enough. I can't celebrate the achievements I do cross off the list, because I'm too focused on the items that got left behind. I'm so overwhelmed with my busy work that I tend to forget my best work. The items I tend to focus on throughout the day definitely do not align with my priorities...so what does that mean? I signed up for the study within minutes of receiving the email...and then I did the unthinkable. I emailed a bunch of ladies that I work with at LSU and invited them to do the study with me. To my delight, several jumped on board...and away we went with 'Taming the To-Do List" by Glynnis Whitwer.

I've never done an online study before but this has been a breeze! Each day I receive an email with either a video or blog post to supplement the readings. Each Monday I receive an outline of a proposed study schedule and each Wednesday I receive an action item that coordinates with the readings. I've been doing my readings during my lunch break and since the weather has been so amazing, outside...and it has been beyond refreshing! The best part has been the fabulous conversations at the office coffee pot with the other ladies doing the study. While I shouldn't be rejoicing that other women have the same challenges and insecurities that I do...I kind of am! It's just so nice to know you aren't alone!

Now, the first three chapters, I could have written myself! I've been making notes in my book and I've actually written "YES! PREACH! I'm SO guilty of this! HA!" I've been underlining and staring so many things...it's definitely been hitting home...hard.

So far, we have focused on procrastination...which I never realized is something I'm quite successful at doing...and the various reasons why we procrastinate. I literally murder to-do lists each week. I'm knocking items off left and right. But, after really evaluating those items, I'm realizing those are the easiest items on the list while the large and sometimes much more important items get pushed to the next week...week after week after week. Talk about ground breaking! I've been focusing on quantity over quality. 

If anyone were to ask what my priorities are, I would immediately respond with faith, family, self, community. But, my list of "to-dones" don't necessarily line up with my priorities...so why? Over-commitment issues, people-pleasing issues, resistance to anything uncomfortable, dependency on emails/texts/social media and the crazy need to respond immediately which causes me to shift my focus...the list goes on! 

I'm so looking forward to diving into more of the book to learn about what I can do to better match my to do list to my priorities! I wanted to start sharing my journey with this study to, selfishly, help me absorb the lessons more deeply but also in the hopes that I can encourage anyone currently in the same boat. Being Type-A is just exhausting and, at times, completely debilitating. I was desperate for a change and, after much prayer, discovered this study that has already been so refreshing! If you aren't really interested, please be patient with me...it will be 8 weeks of sharing! ;)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5