Mark Sorensen It happens to me at the start of EVERY seminary semester… I panic. Actually, it’s worse than that. I come very near to the cliff of “losing it”. Strange, I know. When it comes to tasks, I am an organizer and, as the seminary semester begins, so does a new routine, class load and expectations. Here’s the thing. I like to stay on top of my tasks and the thought of falling behind causes a bit of apprehension in my soul. You too? Well, good news. I ran across a page from Jon Acuff’s book, Start. Punching Fear in the Face, yesterday. I finished this book several weeks ago and loved it. Specifically, I loved what he had to say about “getting it all done”. In fact, in the margin of the book, I had actually written a note to myself that read, “Mark, read this at the start of EACH seminary semester” (I just love it when “old” me speaks to “current” me). Check this out…
In it, Acuff states the following five steps to help you get it all done. Ready? Here goes…
- Admit that you can’t possibly get it all done.
- Give yourself the grace to accept that as reality, not failure.
- Do the things you can do with your full attention.
- Celebrate what happens during Step 3 instead of obsessing over the things you didn’t get to.
- Repeat as necessary.
That’s it. Simple? Yes. Owning this truth may be a bit more difficult. But, as Yoda would say, “a daily, necessary reminder, it is”.
I have benefited greatly from this today. Maybe you needed it as well!
