Sooo, the procrastinator that I am has come up with every excuse in the book not to complete a project. Just ask anyone that really knows me.

Whenever I would call my mom excited about my latest and greatest idea she would always ask me “are you going to finish this one?”

I start and stop then start again and stop. One project may lead to another project. Some have been completed, like my greetings cards, but none have been fully taken to their limit. I sold a few greeting cards but never completed the website or displayed them in a friend’s restaurant as I’d planned. 

My excuses of late have been I don’t have enough time or energy. You see I’m up at 3:30 each weekday morning to exercise. First 30 minutes on the elliptical in my home gym. Then I drive to work to complete my strength training in the gym in my building. I’m usually at my desk by 7a.m. and normally leave around 4 p.m. I arrive home around 4:45 eat dinner pack my gym bag for the next day and am usually in bed by 7:30ish. I don’t sleep well, usually tossing and turning…I know what you’re thinking. I go to bed too early, but remember I’m up by 3:30. Truth is, I’m usually so tired by 7 I sit on the bed flossing my teeth and fall asleep. My husband of course has told me not to sit on the bed while I floss.  I probably average about 5 hours of sleep off and on. Anyway, that’s my excuse for not working on my numerous projects during the week.

I’ve read so many books and articles on procrastination. Even coached others on the subject, but it never hit home for me until Sunday 07/08/12. Wait; let me back up a minute. Battling my frustration with my procrastination I wrote about a week ago which is stronger? Your desire to ________ ( fill in the blank) or your fear? For me it was my fear. As much as I desired to follow my calling, purpose, or as I like to refer to it “what I must do”. I just couldn’t seem to follow through.

Now back to Sunday 07/08/12. I was listening to a Pastor on television as I sometimes do and he was reading from Romans 8:38 where Paul says for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I listened to the Pastor it began to resonate in my spirit. I am not fully persuaded God has called me to do what it is I think I am supposed to be doing. So I asked God to make it clear to me. As I was reading my daily scriptures Monday morning I began reading Joshua 1:9 as I always do. Greta, (I always add my name to make it personal) have not I commanded thee? But this time it was different. It was as though the Lord was telling me. He had commanded thee. What “I must do” is not something I have selected, on the contrary. It is what He has commanded me to do. I felt as though a burden had been lifted off of me.  I continued reading Jeremiah 1-10 as many people do. As I read verse 6, Jeremiah’s excuse, Ah.., Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. For me it would read, what if they ask me questions I can’t answer? But as I continued to read in verse 7 it was as thought the Lord was saying to me…for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee. In other words, I ‘m sending you to those to whom I have called you to speak, don’t be afraid, as it reads in verse 8.

Wow, as Oprah would say this was my aha moment. It’s not me, it’s all Him! I have a new found energy and desire to “do what I must do”. By the way, it’s after 8p.m. and I’m still up.

How do you answer this question? Which is stronger? Your desire to ____________ (you fill in the blank) or your fear?

Encouraging your financial, emotional and physical wellness

Greta