A few weeks ago, I wrote about my struggle with focus as a writer, and I invited others to consider my “40-Day Challenge: Telling the Stories That Matter Most” on the WordServe Water Cooler. Since I struggle with this problem in other areas of my life, I wanted to share my recent WordServe post on my personal blog.
In your busy life, how do you determine which things matter most?
A close examination of our priorities helps a lot. But often in the process of prioritizing, we realize that we’ve neglected some of our greatest concerns—like our health, marriage, children, or faith.
Priorities. As a writer, I have dropped the ball on some of my most important projects. I rationalize my failure to follow through with lame excuses. But I sometimes struggle staying focused on my main objective—telling the stories that matter most.
My daughter Tara phoned me with a similar complaint about her home life. “I can’t seem to get to the things that matter most to me.”
As Tara voiced her frustration, I understood her dilemma. Day after day, she faces the impossible task of meeting her family’s needs, having four small children in her home.
Prayer. The same issues haunt me, even though we have an empty nest. And I know that I must choose prayer as my first step to address any problem or decision.
James 1:5-6 promises, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help … Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought” (MSG).
Like Tara, I frequently ask advice from someone who will give me honest input. My husband Dan offers ideas about my organizational problems. But I also consult other reputable resources, like online links, book, or professionals.
Challenge. I’m working through the process of rebooting my writing life with my “40-Day Challenge: Telling the Stories That Matter Most,” where I’m identifying the “real meaning” of my work, defining some SMART goals, and more. Read more about my 40-Day Challenge here.
How do you choose the things that matter most in your life?
