Stay the Course

There is a proverb that states something to the effect that we make plans but the Lord orders our steps. 

“A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” –Proverbs 16:9 (CSB)

Well, my heart was all into launching a financial eBook by the end of the month. I was so excited coming off the conference earlier this month. But I did not count the cost and now I cannot see how I will make my deadline unless God directs my steps and does the impossible. Nevertheless, I am going to finish what I started. I just don’t know quite when. Still, I share all of this to motivate you and I to continue the course, regardless of the delay. 

There are many reasons we might miss a deadline: life happens unexpectedly, sometimes our commitment level is not where it needs to be, distractions can hinder our progress. Here at Really, Leah, we keep it real. 

We must stay motivated, regardless. Even when we don’t see a win in sight. As for a win I mean we don’t see how we will make our deadline, or win the contract, or get a good diagnosis. Whatever a win looks like. 

Our attitude determines our altitude, especially during times of adversity. We could get mad if we don’t win, we could give ourselves an “F” and stay we should have never tried, or we could tell the people who did not chose us to “kick rocks,” or worse, we could give up hope of ever feeling better when the test results still look the same. But who would that hurt and what would we learn? 

We would never tell a builder to forget it, stop all construction, because they didn’t complete our dream home by the deadline. No. We would not. 

We understand that products, permits and people all create an environment that requires us to be pliable. Of course, a good contractor should build those variances into the contract but there is nothing wrong with asking for more time to get where we want to be.  

Whenever we make an attempt at something in life, whether it is to write a book or to get healthier, we must treat it as important, especially when we believe God has put that project on our heart.  That does not mean there won’t be a battle to win,  or that we won’t have distractions. Regardless, stay the course, and pursue your goals regardless of any obstacles or criticism.

EXCUSES

One of the reasons I am uncertain that I will complete my book by the end of this month is because I used time and energy needed to edit my manuscript on helping a friend and relative run for a local office. I was unrealistic about the time factor because I had not worked with a political campaign in years. And although, I was vocal about not getting pulled into this recent election, my commitment to see a friend win took precedent. 

In the end he did not win. Now, was that a waste of time? Surely it was not. I learned so much about elections, the political process, why we need debates and other ways to challenge the records of incumbents, raising money and overcoming voter apathy.  

I think that sometimes when we don’t “win,” we think it was all a waste of time but that is only true if you think so. I gathered fodder for another book! And I guarantee you it will be used somewhere. 

Nevertheless, I did not make my original book deadline and here are a few of my excuses:

1. I had a birthday on Friday and took the day off from writing.
2. My sister had a birthday party on the Sunday before, and there was pre-planning to do that took me away from writing.
3. My grandmother had a 100^th birthday celebration on Saturday, and I did not write.
4. As previously mentioned, the election took a lot of my time and energy and wasn’t officially over until Tuesday, the 19^th.
5. I helped friends raise money for their charity last Tuesday and Wednesday, so I lost those days. 
6. I did not account for how all the above would affect my writing schedule. 

Had I listed all my obligations ahead of time, I would have realized how hard it would be to complete any manuscript in the time frame I had set. I established an unrealistic goal and chose to believe I could do more than I could. 

To rectify the situation, I am actively working to finish the book as soon as possible. I estimate that I will need at least another month to ensure the quality and accuracy of the work. However, I assure you that I am fully committed to delivering a well-crafted document that meets the reader’s expectation.

For anyone waiting to purchase, I apologize for the delay and appreciate your  understanding, support, and patience. The wait will be worthwhile.

REMEDIES

Oh, by the way, if you find yourself where I am today, you may need a refresher on time management, so here goes: 

1. Set clear and achievable goals.
2. Break them down into smaller tasks and create a schedule or a to-do-list to keep you on track.
3. Prioritize tasks and focus on one thing at a time.
4. Set small milestones and celebrate those achievements.
5. Eliminate distractions by creating a conducive work environment. 
6. Establish a routine.
7. Sleep well, eat well, and take breaks in between writing to exercise and get sunlight.

Lastly, I don’t want you leaving here without being motivated to stay in the game. You and I have this (with God’s help, of course) and we can come away with a win, whether it is in our publishing deadlines, our health, or our business affairs. I have done so in these areas many times, and I assure you that this is how we get back up again. 

1. Reflect on what went wrong: Identify the reasons for missing the deadline and learn from the experience. (Just as I did above when I listed all the other activities I was involved with simultaneously.)
2. Set a new goal: Create a revised timeline or set a new deadline to get back on track. (I’m in the process right now, and this time it will be clear and achievable and broken down into manageable mini-goals and not just a hunch.)
3. Find support: Seek encouragement from friends, colleagues, or mentors who can provide guidance and support. ( I am inviting my writer and editor friends to join me on this journey.) 
4. Celebrate progress: Recognize small milestones along the way to build momentum. (I already know some places to eat and a thing to buy myself to keep me happily writing and rewriting.)
5. Stay positive: Focus on your progress rather than dwelling on the missed deadline. (I’m keeping my eyes on the prize.)
6. Learn from it: Use the experience as a learning opportunity to improve your time management skills and prevent future delays. (I needed to get in the groove for writing longer pieces, and now I know what it takes to accomplish my goals).

Hey, setbacks happen to us all. It is how we respond to them and learn from them that determines our success.

Stay motivated. And stay the course. Really,

Leah        

   

Thanks for Reading Another Motive Me Monday