focussed

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Writing Things Down Can Ensure Success

Writing things down increases your potential every day. 

writing things down can ensure success

… You might be thinking, “That’s a pretty bold statement. Do you have facts to back it up?” 

Well, no I don’t. 

I suppose I could find some facts that would support my statement at least in part. But I think my own testimony is good enough on this topic.

We rely heavily on our memory and, thankfully, for the most part, our memory is great. 

You don’t have to think about so many things during the day because your memory brings them to the forefront of your mind and you just act on them. 

Your phone number – you don’t have to think about it. Your address – you recite it automatically. You know your co-workers’ names by heart. 

It is amazing how often our memory assists us. 

However, when you have work to accomplish, something you want to put into your memory, or just something you don’t want to forget, writing it down is a better option than relying solely on your memory. 

This is what I have found … 

For all the things I need to accomplish in a day, or things I want to accomplish, if I keep them all in my memory I am more likely not to accomplish everything on my mental list. 

But if I write out a to-do list of the things I have in my mind to accomplish, I have a much greater success rate. 

I’m not sure why that is. Maybe, if it’s only in my mind, it’s not prioritized; it’s simply one of many things that needs to be done. 

I am more apt to think, “I’ll get to it sometime today” … but that sometime may never come.

Writing things down keeps you more focussed. There is something about seeing that task in front of you and crossing it off when it is complete that keeps you locked into the things that are a priority. 

Recently I was having a difficult time staying focussed all day long. I knew what I needed to get done, so I didn’t bother to write anything down. 

And every day that week my work ran out of hours in the day. There were times that I wasn’t productive. Basically I wasted time. 

I had things to do but I figured I still had a bit of time to look into something that was not on my mental agenda. … I never got back to the things I wanted to get done in time to actually get them done. 

When Friday came around I was way behind on what I needed to accomplish. 

So I did two things: first I tidied up my desk – I feel better when my desk is clear. Then I wrote out a list of tasks I needed to get done.

One by one I checked them off my list. I didn’t deviate from my list; I wasn’t even tempted. 

Writing things down gave me the focus and motivation I needed to get all my work done. 

Here’s the thing: When you make a commitment to God, or you believe God wants you to do something, if you just keep that in your memory, you may or may not get around to it. But if you write it down, you will be more likely to follow through on what God is asking of you.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What things do you need to write down today, in order to accomplish them? Leave your comments and questions below.

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Being Startled Can Be A Good Thing

On a good day I’m a little jumpy, but the piece of mail I received yesterday really startled me.

Being startled can be a goo thing

Some people get surprised more than others. I’m one of those people who gets caught off guard all the time. There are times when my secretary will come to my office door and I feel inside like I jumped up and hit my head on the ceiling. 

I’m not sure why I’m like that. It may be when I’m really focussed on something – you know, totally dialled in – and that knock or voice seems to come from out of nowhere. 

Whatever it is that causes me to be startled so easily, as I get older it seems to be happening more. … Please don’t anyone throw me a surprise party of any kind. I could go into complete cardiac arrest! 

I’m not good when people sneak up on me or come around a corner right when I arrive at it. Sure, it’s funny for everyone around to see, but think of the guy who’s already had a heart attack. Don’t purposely take any more years off of my life.

So the other day I got startled in a different way. 

On the kitchen table was an envelope addressed to me. Immediately I recognized it as originating from the government. 

At first sight of it, I gulped and wondered if it was the CRA wanting to review my income tax submission. They refer to it as a tax audit but I don’t like that term. 

I took the envelope in my hand and looked at it a second time to make sure the name on it was mine and not someone else’s. It didn’t matter whose; anyone else’s name would do.

Then I noticed that it had come from Scarborough, Ontario and that is not where any of my tax papers come from or go to. 

Now I was curious. So I opened the envelope, and out came official looking documents. 

I didn’t have my glasses on so I could only read the heading without squinting and holding it in and out to adjust the focus. I made out the first few words of the letter and it said “we are pleased to inform you …”

Those are encouraging words unless they come from the government. Then they can be a set up.

I looked at the heading which read, “Old Age Security”.

What? I just turned 64. How could this be?

Well, apparently the government automatically enrolled me in the OAS benefit and I will start receiving it 12 months from now. I even have a client number. 

Did you get that? I’m a client of Canada’s Old Age Security. Why would they startle me with this news so far in advance of me actually receiving OAS? 

I just kept staring at those words “Old Age Security”. I was squinting and couldn’t believe what I was seeing so I got my glasses. … Maybe that should have tipped me off to the fact that I am getting old enough to be an OAS client. 

Though this letter did startle me, I have a year to settle into it.

Here’s the thing: Do you get startled when something you were fearing turns out to be in your favour, or when something good comes out of bad? Do you kind of jump back when something works out that you didn’t think would? Don’t take those things for granted. Be startled and take note of how God worked in your favour. Make that little heart check and thank Him for His blessings. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What has startled you about God lately? Leave your comments and questions below.

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