Focusing on the finish line is a problem for me.
Maybe that’s not entirely true. I can see the finish line.
But I tend to stop about 75% of the way there.
Anybody? Anybody?
Starting projects is super easy. I've got lots of ideas (I bet you do too).
And I start many of these ideas. I just don’t finish them. Can we just talk about the piles of paper and magazines and artwork and sticky notes? Anybody else? It’s a wonder I can find my bed sometimes.
That is one of the reasons I started LYCL website. I wanted something where there was some accountability and a way to build a community with other like- minded creatives; to chronicle the journey so to speak and to make an attempt to have some organization and flow in life.
I don’t know if it’s organized but it’s still going. In fact it will be our one year anniversary next month. Smile. I didn't realize time was going by so fast.
I was reminded last week how fast time is going.
We are officially more than half way through the year said Lindsee over at Living Proof (the website/blog of Bible teacher Beth Moore’s). She titled the post Intention to Action and some challenging words she’s been hearing. In the spirit of sisterhood she shouted out to those of us in that community.
Basically, good intentions mean nothing. In the end, what we do is the only thing that counts.
Ouch.
It was encouraging and kick-you-in-the-pants moments I really needed. Lindsee shared her heart without going into tons of details in her fun-filled, Lindsee way. I could totally relate and so could a whole lotta other women on the blog.
I’m full of good intentions but without action and results they don’t mean a whole lot. For example, I have a few (mostly) written books in my hard drive that I finished but became nervous about sharing or having edited.
Good intentions hidden in the hard drive. Bleh. Not doing anybody any good.
A few days later my writing friend Jenelle had asked me how she could pray for me this week. And I told her I was struggling to get the right work done and focusing.
She sent me this email with these words at the top:
DO THE WORK MELISSA!
I gotta love friends like Jenelle. She is an encourager to her core. I know she loves me so when her words come across as tough love more than sweet love I know she has my best interests at heart.
Sometimes the antidote to a lack of focus is simply doing the work, one step at a time.
I’m doing the work this week. Staying on a schedule (mostly). Not allowing those darn emotions to dictate what I do. Focusing on a few very specific projects until they are complete. Avoiding the rabbit trail of distractions. Trying not to let the heat affect my efforts.
In other words, I’m putting myself on a Pinterest diet. (Can anyone relate to this?)
I’m actually following my own advice regarding FOCUS: follow one course until successful.
And that list of 2013 goals?
I think a few things might get done. Wouldn’t that be a nice change?
O.k. your turn: Do you have goals and projects that are really important but are not getting done? What would life look like if you moved from good intention to action?
If you have some ideas you want to implement before 2013 disappears you might like Summer SHINE, a 6 week eCourse helping you identify WHAT you should do, WHY you should do it and HOW to implement….without going crazy.
It’s ideal for the creative who would like to utilize their creative skills in more ways than a hobby but don’t know exactly where to go. We’ll cover a few basic principles every creative needs to know.
If you do the coursework, you’ll be on your way to launching your own creative journey by Labor Day Weekend.
Oh, and I’m going through this course with you. I’ll be sharing what I’m working on too.
The course consists of course work dropped in your inbox every Monday with some encouraging messages scattered through the month.
We’ll be starting on July 29 and it’s super easy to get involved. Leave your name and email address in the box on the right side column.
See you in a few short weeks!
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