For Life Group Discussion

image borrowed from net

What to Do When There Are Too Many Things to Get Done

You know that feeling of having way too many things to do. When you don’t feel like starting to work on them any time soon and just the thought of all the tasks, projects, housework, school assignments, or else, is  overwhelming you. Most of us do know how this situation looks like.

And those who don’t are either the most organized people in the world or have some secret  strategies for doing a lot of work in no time and not feeling stressed. Or have just followed some or all of the simple tips I’m offering you here that may put your to-do list in order and make things manageable.

1. Eliminate some of the tasks. Psalm 90:12

"So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom."

Not everything you think you need to do is actually necessary. The 80/20 rule plays a huge role here. Understand that only 20% of what you usually  do gives you the main result. So, figure out which tasks actually help  you live better, help others, let you           develop good habits, are good for your performance at work or ministry and focus on them.

2. Get up early. Exodus 9:13

¹³ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning. Go to Pharaoh and tell him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

And even if you don’t start getting things done right after you wake up, you’ll still have a kick start of your day. You’ll have more energy, more time, and you will feel more productive.

3. Plan your day the night before. Proverbs 21:5 ESV

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

This will save you some time and help you decide what to get rid of and what to do first. That will get you in the flow and will make your mind realize it’s not that hard. It’s the beginning that scares us, not the actual work.

4. Just do it.  Exodus 4:11 ESV

Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

We often think about what we have to do way too much. Which also means that we  worry we won’t have enough time, we fear we may fail to complete all the tasks, and start making excuses as to why we can do it later.

But the only solution is to stop analyzing things and just take a random task and work on it for at least 15 minutes.

5.  Feel motivated. Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to

his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Boost your motivation by a quick workout, by imagining how great you’ll feel once you’ve completed your work, how proud of you can be, how will affect others in the long run. Have something to look forward to.

6. Have a purpose. Proverbs 16:4a ESV

“The Lord has made everything for its purpose,..."

You can’t get something done if you don’t really believe in it, if you don’t find it meaningful or think it’s worth it. It will give you a great energy boost once you know you’re doing something meaningful.

7. Be in the present. 1 John 3:2 ESV

“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. “

Now is the time to start working on your tasks and to actually do something that will make your goal a bit easier or more pleasant. Try to let go of the past – with the        mistakes you’ve done and the times you’ve failed, leave everything else behind and just be in the present moment.

8. Focus. Proverbs 16:3 ESV

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

It’s only you and the task. Nothing else exists. Eliminate all distractions so that you can be completely present.

 Life Group Discussion

1. Of the 8 to-do list, what is the 1 or 2 that encourage you the most, and what do you think you need to improve in order to be productive,?

2. In your current situation, what do you think  keep you busy but out of line? How will this study help you to be better and more productive?

Excerpt borrowed from net with some revision