Tactics
In
a battle plan, there are always tactical details, logistical layouts, planning
and practice and planning and practice.
Then, there is execution. Go time. No turning
back. The perfect plan is about to come to fruition.
Until it doesn’t.
Colin Powell said, “No battle plan survives contact with the
enemy.”
What if the enemy is you??
Sometimes we get in our own way. Here is an example:
I was thinking yesterday that I needed to write my to do list for today.
By this morning, it wasn’t done so I thought “I’ll just write a short one, only
the top five important things”. I went to get my pen and wondered where
the cat was. I thought I should get her a new fluffy bed. Then it
only got worse.
But first
remember: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets
itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ.” ~ 2 Cor 10:5.
Inner dialogue
It’s 11AM already?
I need a trail mix bar. I need my water, too. I have to pee.
I need to get my password so I can do my homework. But I haven’t sprayed
outside yet. And I need to get the blog posted. I hope I did the
right share buttons. What a weird dream last night. I have to call
the A/C people. I need to read that article for the blog. I haven’t
vacuumed! I still need to get tuna for the cats. I really have to
pee! I wonder if I should email the FBI about that spam text from the
Middle East. I have too many emails, oh my gosh. What is that stupid password? I
can’t think on a full bladder! I need to charge my phone. I can
plug it in…by the vacuum.
I wish I was making this up.
The
original plan? Write my to do list. The current plan?
Survive.
So, what to do?
Tactical alchemy
Alchemy is defined
as: “Any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance,
usually of little value, into a substance of great value.”
Let me translate:
“common substance…of little value” = worry
“substance of great value” = productivity and your sanity
Truth
be told, there is no magic anything, however these 5 little steps have helped me
when I’m about to lose it so I’m sharing in case they might help you:
1.
Stop. Stop
freaking out. It doesn’t do you any good anyway. “Can any one of
you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” ~ Matthew 6:27.
2.
Breathe.
Deeply. And if on the exhale a cleansing scream comes out, so be it.
3.
Focus. There are
distractions and things to do EVERYWHERE if you look for them. And the
big enemy will put every shiny, moving one of them in front of you because
that’s how he rolls. You have to purposely think on and aim for your target
goal, not his, and defeat those distractions. “I have given you authority
to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy;
nothing will harm you.” ~ Luke 10:19
4.
Pray. Well,
duh. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for…my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:29-30. And I personally like to add in
binding the enemy…it just makes me feel better.
5. Elephant it.
There’s a saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Even though some days it feels like we’re stirring food in the pan while
driving kids to some kind of practice while attending a Board meeting while weaving our
underwater basket…we are not. And we can’t. Do one thing at a time. Then
do the next.
I like to throw in small, easy things in between big things so I
can cross those off my list, mental or written. When you accomplish
something, it releases endorphins and gives you super powers, and then you are
even more productive.
And that’s magic.
