One Thing at a Time

I often need to be reminded of things over and over again. Not things on my to do list (well, that too sometimes), but more essential things. Things like staying peaceful and calm in the midst of everyday chaotic life. It's so easy to lose focus and feel like I'm on a treadmill that keeps going faster and faster and I can't keep up. I have so many things to do in a week that sometimes I find myself trying to do them all at once (and doing none of them well) instead of focusing on one thing at a time.

For me, the most important thing is to spend at least some small portion of my day alone with God.  I love people and I love my family, but I have to have a little quiet time alone to think and read my Bible - to be inspired and refreshed.  I have even read in my closet when the house was full of people just so I could have a few moments of peace.

From there, it helps if I break large goals down into small steps.  For example, I'm working on a big writing project at the moment.  The total amount that I need to write feels overwhelming and scary, so it helps me to break it down into smaller tasks.  I might set a goal of "write 400 words today".  Doesn't that sound less daunting than "write 10 pages this week"?  Once I've met that goal I don't have it hanging over my head for the rest of the day.

I've also learned that sometimes I have to actually schedule fun. That sounds like such a crazy type A thing to do, but it really works. At times in my life, like now, when I have lots of irons in the fire, I start to feel like I have to be productive at all times. I have to constantly be cooking, cleaning, working, writing, etc. I can't just read for fun or soak in a warm bath. There's too much work to be done! So I decided that every evening, after the dishes are done (or at some other point in the day), I'm going to do something fun for at least half an hour. I might read a magazine, knit, or watch a Christmas movie with the kids. The point is that it's something I want to do and not something I have to do.

And overall, I'm going to avoid distractions and focus on the one thing that I'm trying to accomplish at that moment. When I'm writing, I won't be worrying about what we're going to have for supper or checking my facebook. When I'm having fun, I won't be worried about cleaning the bathroom or making the grocery list.  One thing at a time.