Are busy people more productive?

Reviewing some previous articles brought back (mostly) lovely memories.

I suppose like a lot of writers, I bleed over my work which is probably unnecessary. I search for the perfect words to convey my meaning, and still sometimes it doesn’t come out like I wanted it to. I really must learn to relax about it a little more. I’ve also rediscovered, as I’ve known for some time, that I often get more done when I am busy than when I am not. I guess I manage my time better during those times.

I wrote about this in an article called “Analysis Paralysis.”

Anyone taking a cursory glance at my day-timer this past month would have seen a wild riot of colors and activities and probably would have surmised that by now, at month’s end, I am running near empty. And that assumption would be correct.

At times like these, when things slow again, I do my usual reassessment of how to manage my time. I hope you won’t mind me sharing with you some of my thoughts on that.

Luke 10:41-42 is a vivid reminder that as we fill our days, and day-timers with activities, there is only “one thing needed.” Focusing on the Lord by daily drinking in His Word, praying, and seeking His forgiveness are the first items I should be penciling in. These are things that keep me on track with the other responsibilities I have and give me the fuel to carry through my days with His grace. Matthew 14:23 emphasizes setting aside regular time to be with God as Jesus did. That sounds like great advice!

Our every need has been supplied by our Loving Father as Philippians 4:19 points out. There can be a lot of energy spent on seeing to the needs of our families. What joy it is to have someone to exhort you to remember that God has already done that. (Matthew 10:27-31, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 31:15.) I love my various vocations. My prayer each morning is that I am a loving example of a redeemed sinner who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, relies upon God for her every need.

The Lord fills me up with His peace (Colossians 1:19-23, 2 Thessalonians 3:16), His love (John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2) His mercy (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 118:1) and His forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7-10, Colossians 1:13-14) so that I can tackle whatever He has placed before me. Does that mean my calendar will have more white space next month? Not necessarily. But it does mean that as I go about doing those things, He is always with me (Matthew 28:20).

The Journey Begins

Segue.  You may ask why such a weird name for my blog. First, I love the way it sounds as you speak that word.  I love that it is spelled so succinctly. And, as I’ve learned in my life, we are never stagnant in one stage or experience. Life goes on and we segue into the next adventure, the next part of learning and living that we need to do. 

So, as I segue from making a dream into a reality, I will share that journey here. Much can be learned and shared from our experiences so that it is easier for the ones who come after us.

For several years I've been occasionally dreaming about gathering some of my leadership articles and making the collection of them into a book that would be a tool for homeschool support group leaders as many have nudged me to do.

Today I met with a man who taught me how to bring together the writing of the book with the practical business side of self-publishing.  My brain is a bit overloaded.  After a while I didn't even know what to inquire about because I had so many new thoughts and processes to keep my brain’s pistons firing and I felt like I needed to make certain that energy was captured in thought for later expansion and usefulness.

I've got some reading to do, some research to do, some editing to do and some more writing to do. But it is do-able, and do-able in a timeline that seems short, but really is acceptable and can be accomplished.

I’ll check in here from time to time to let you know how all of it is going, how well it works with a mom who is already working three jobs and still homeschooling her 13-year old daughter, and involved in political groups, and my church.  I’m a new Grammy, too, with two daughters who both have been married in the last two years. Life is busy, and full, and rich with blessings.

But I feel as if I've been pressed into duty with an assignment to complete now that all this information is available for me to deliberate on and to ACT on.  Those who know me know how I feel about deadlines. Join me in prayer if you wish, as I discipline myself to set those goals (deadlines) and not allow other things to take my goals away or push them out.  Steadfastness.  Segueing into new habits and resisting old bad ones.