How to Really Do What You Say You Want to Do
Do you find yourself making commitments to yourself over and over that you just don’t keep?
I know I do. My intentions are good. But my follow-through needs work!
Here are a few of the proclamations I’ve made over the years:
On Monday, I will start my new fitness program.
Okay, this week I’m really going to have some quiet time with God first thing in the morning before anything else.
Today, I will be more patient with my kids!
Several years ago, I was attending a Beth Moore Bible Study at my local church. I love Beth Moore and I love her studies. Sometimes she says things in such a funny and self-deprecating way with her strong Southern accent, they stick.
I’m not quoting directly, but basically Beth said, “Sometimes, you just gotta pray about yer want to.” The light bulb flashed. It was just what I needed to hear. First of all, I wasn’t the only one struggling with doing what I “want to.” And second, I could ask God to help me. Yes! I can pray about my “want to.”
The fact is there are many things I want to do, changes I want to make, that I simply don’t make. I know the change will make me happier and healthier, and impact those around me too. I am more pleasant to be around when I’m following through on what I say I want to do – goals, visions, resolutions.
Frankly, I don’t love this cycle of not doing what I say I want to do.
I feel defeated, weak-willed, and ashamed of it.
But since I’m working on extending more grace to myself, I’m not going to make myself feel badly about this. Trash-talking myself will only make me feel worse…and that keeps me stuck.
Here’s one big thing I want to change - I want to be more productive and efficient. I know one of the first and most effective steps I can take is to get up earlier.
Here’s the problem - I’m in winter mode, which means I am cozy in my bed on a cold morning and tend to push the snooze button.
Now my kids are grown and out of the house, and I have flexibility in my freelance schedule ordinarily and even more so right now due to COVID. I’m not doing anything “wrong” by sleeping later in the am. But I KNOW I am most productive in the morning. So if I get up a little earlier – ideally an hour earlier, but I’m starting with a half hour – I will have a more efficient, productive day.
I’m going to take some solid steps toward my big goal right now – to become more organized, efficient, and productive – by taking smaller, doable SMART steps. And I’m praying about my “want to.”
Praying, by the way, doesn’t mean I don’t act. No, not at all. In fact, admitting that I’m not doing what I say I want to do can be just the reality check I need to have a breakthrough.
Here are the steps I’m taking to go from “want to” to doing what I say I want to do:
I’ve articulated my big goal – to be more productive and efficient.
I’ve identified one SMART goal – getting up every weekday morning at 6:30 am no matter what – which breaks down the big goal into a manageable step.
I’m praying – Lord, please help me make this change. I trust you can help me do this thing I do not really “want” to do. You are strong in my weakness.
I’ve committed to my non-negotiable – I will get out of bed at 6:30.
Once I’ve done this a few days, that one change of getting up earlier will lead to a second change I want to make - Go to bed earlier. Change begets change!
It’s happened many times. I’ve said a simple prayer and asked God for His help. I believe God knows about our struggles and cares about them…and when we invite Him into them, we get an extra dose of grace. Then there’s a little shift. I feel ready to make the change, believing I’ve got some help from my Maker.
Is there a change you want to make? But you’re not making it because you “don’t want to”? Try breaking down your Big Goal into a Small SMART step and ask God to help you.
I’d love to hear about the change you’re trying to make. And I’d be delighted to pray for you.