Parting Ways

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

It’s 2019. With 2018 behind us, we have taken inventory of the things we have done well and not so well. We have celebrated our accomplishments, checked off things from our bucket lists, and taken inventory at our progress. We have also left some things unspoken, unwrapped, and undone. We’ve dragged some tasks from year to year. If it’s something we really need to do, why haven’t we done it?
Friends - some of us have become close buddies with a foe called Procrastination, or as he goes by in the streets, Put Off. I confess that I have, but it’s past time for me and him to part ways. See, he is a sneaky foe and a quiet seducer. He is always waiting in the wings – for an invitation in or an embrace. In my younger years, I was better able to fend him off, because life was simpler and easier to manage. He stayed at bay, because I kept him at bay. Then, the more I had to do, the easier it became for him to come in.

Beware: he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He appears to be our friend - offering us comfort and reassurance. He is the ultimate co-signer and signifier – telling us what we want to hear, “Oh, you have plenty of time to do that. You can get to that thing next week. You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you just watch Netflix for a couple of hours?

He makes us feel good in the moment, then creeps into more areas of our lives. He’s a trap setter, and some us have fallen for his antics hook, line, and sinker. Not only that – but he has a crew that he rolls with: laziness, denial, doubt, avoidance, blame, and fear. Some are overt bullies – like fear – but others are craftier and appear easygoing and reassuring on the surface. Don’t be deceived – they all wreak havoc and create barriers to growth. We look up and ask: where did the week, month, or year go?

Photo by Iswanto Arif on Unsplash

Before we know it, we’ve dug ourselves into a hole - trying to see how we are going to get out. That which we do not deal with today - deals with us tomorrow. Which brings us to our grand plans and resolutions for the new year. I’m not knocking them. We need goals and plans. Yet – how are we going to stay focused to do what needs to be done? We must first identify and write down areas of avoidance, denial, and inconsistency. Face it. Here are some other tips.

1. Invite God in. Confess that we have allowed procrastination to create a mess in whatever area(s). Repent and pray for deliverance. Have someone else to pray along with us. Psalm 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
2. Evaluate what is realistic for our lives for today. We may have been able to do something five years ago, that we no longer have the capacity or desire to do. Does it still need to be done? If so, are we the ones to do it?
3. Prioritize and adjust accordingly. We may need to delay the Caribbean vacation for house repairs or vice versa depending on our financial needs.
4. Set achievable and timely goals. Include timeframes and areas that need to be achieved. For example, some may want to read the Bible more. How? Commit to a plan of study, i.e. Read for 10 minutes a day on my lunch break at work and 30 minutes on the weekend for one month and increase by 5 minutes the next month.
5. Partner with someone, who is going to hold us accountable. Choose someone who can help – not hinder us in whatever area. If there is no one in our circle, then go online on social media or listserv or groups for support.
6. Seek professional help. Whatever the area – there is someone to assist. Professional organizers, life coaches, adult educators, financial advisors, therapists specialize in helping us to move forward in areas where we may need it.
7. Know that you can be successful in defeating the giant of Procrastination, Fear, Avoidance, Unforgiveness, Temptation. Whatever it is – you will defeat it.

This is the time for us – you and me – to get what we need to be the best versions of ourselves that we can possibly be. To do this, we have to let go of some frenemies in our midst. Jesus said in John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

© 2019 by Antoinette V. Barber