Can’t See Past Today?

Do you ever feel frustrated? Do you ever feel like you know there are certain things you would love to be doing, but you just can’t get to it?

Often the everyday, the menial, and the ordinary takes so much of our time that we fail to get to our dreams, our visions, or even just our long-term goals.

Homemakers struggle with this so much, because they are raising little children who require so much time and energy. Then there is the laundry, the grocery run, cooking meals, cleaning the house, and so on. It never truly seems to end, and all of it seems to be just “regular” stuff. Many are frustrated because they would love to “get ahead” and plan more for the future, but they just can’t find the time.

Teachers struggle here, too. “But they get the summers off,” I can hear someone saying. Riiiiiight. Many of them have to work another job just to make ends meet in the summer. Others take classes. All along, they are trying to be a better teacher 5, 10, or 20 years down the road, but all they can see is today.

Yes, preachers struggle in this area. There are so many irons in the fire. Sermon preparation, Bible class study, visiting, working on programs, writing and editing the bulletin, and more…oh, and he would like to be with his wife and children some, too. He wants to write books, or get another degree, or start a side business from a hobby, but the time just isn’t there.

How do we look beyond today? Can we ever look further down the road?

YES, but, here’s the catch: it takes work and a ton of patience.

I have lots of long-term plans, but I know that they will come out at a trickle at this stage in my life. With two children at home, a lot of my time needs to be spent at home with my kids or, at the very least, available for my kids. However, there are little things that can be done to at least start these projects, and maybe get a few done here and there.

Here are a few suggestions if you are stuck and are struggling to look down the road.

1. Don’t List Too Many Things. In other words, if you are bogged down now, you are only going to get more frustrated if you list 10 huge projects you want to complete. Maybe choose 1 or 2 and focus on those for now.

2. Consolidate. By that I mean, what can you do inside the ordinary that is also helping you plan for the future? For example, if you are a homemaker who would like to have a cookbook published, what are some recipes you could cook as “experiments” (yes, you are making your family your guinea pigs!)? If they work, at least write down the basics. That doesn’t take long, and it combines both the current and the future.

3. Work in Longer Periods than Days. I’ve heard people say, “Do one thing today that will move you closer to your dream.” I like that advice, but for most of us, it’s not possible every day. However, for most of us, we could do one thing each week, or each month, that would help. Between now and next Tuesday (or June 22), what one or two steps could you have made?

4. Keep “Stuff” Around. Using either a computer or physical stuff, keep things near you that you can use to work on your goal at any time. Many want to be a designer of some kind. With the world of tablets and smartphones, you always have something nearby to help you snap pictures or take notes!

5. Carve Out Time. I am so proud of Leah. She realized a couple of years ago that she struggled to read her Bible consistently and in a quite place where she could truly concentrate. So, she started setting her alarm 30 minutes earlier and now has her time alone with God at 5:30AM. She had a goal and she carved out the time to make it happen. If  you have a goal, you need to follow the advice of Jon Acuff, “Be selfish at 5:00AM.” It doesn’t have to be the morning, but figure out a time that you carve out. For many of us, it’s as simple as turning off “American Idol” or “Sportscenter” and devoting that time to our dream.

6. Don’t Lose Sight of Your Priorities. Your dream is important, but it is not more important than your soul, your spouse, or your children. Do not risk those relationships in any way just to get published, finish a class, become an artist, or whatever. Work within your priorities and you will see things come together over time.

———————————

What other suggestions do you have?

What dreams are you trying to accomplish?