If you’ve ever had the pleasure of working in a factory setting, you know what a ‘hot list’ is…it’s those things that HAVE to get done. Those orders, or products or processes that take #1 priority, regardless of what else is going on. If you’ve never worked in a factory, I encourage you to consider it, if even temporarily, if you’re looking for work. It’s really a great experience, and a different level of customer service than I have seen in any other setting. It also will give you a little insight into how all of those wonderful things get into our hands…During college, I worked my summers and breaks at decal factory – I had never thought about where all those bicycle labels, and event the inserts that have all of the dashboard light labels in our cars, or the stickers telling us that our computer has Intel inside…all of those things are created at one place, sorted, cleaned up, prepped for easy peal & stick at their final factory destination, and sent to another location for final placement. And we think things just happen…not so much…it takes a very careful plan, and a strict schedule of production. For that schedule to stay on track, it takes planning and coordination from several departments. And, if it doesn’t happen like it’s supposed to, well…the whole line is slowed, and then the NEXT factory is impacted…that impacts production schedules, work hours, and final delivery commitments, among other things. So, if we don’t tend to that hot list, it impacts everything, all the way down the line…even things we will never see or even be aware of.

Make Your Own Hot List.

I’ll be honest, I’m not really a fan of lists…they just give me anxiety. This means that I typically keep things in my head that I know I need to get done. That also means that I often forget to take care of a few things…my friends and family know this…and they remind me of things that are important pretty frequently. I also tend to procrastinate.

Today, for example, is one of only two days a week that both of my children at home are physically at school…I’m one of those people that really doesn’t mind the ‘stay at home’ part of this pandemic…the rest of it, I’m as DONE with as everyone else…I’m what is often called an extroverted introvert…I can be as ‘out there’ and ‘seen’ and ‘engaged’ as the best of them, but I also QUICKLY tire of having to many outings and too many people. It’s like my brain goes into overload and just shuts down. Sunday was my husband’s birthday…so we ended up rushed out the door (because I slept too long) to get a great breakfast before dropping my son off at work…I was already exhausted halfway through breakfast. On the way, my husband suggested that we stop by the hardware store and look at screen doors – he kindly added ‘if you’re up for it’. By the time we had a nice leisurely carb loaded breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and of course did a little shopping while we were there, I was DONE…and ready to go home and have a do nothing rest of the day. So, we still need a screen door. It will happen, eventually. Back to the point: I’ve spent a couple of hours today just literally doing nothing…but thinking about what I should be doing…planning things in my head…thinking of how great it will be if I can just….(fill in the blank with random home and business tasks)…you know the drill…thinking about it doesn’t make it happen.

Then, I get this random burst of ok, now I know exactly what it needs to look like, and I’m running out of time (it’s almost time to start the rounds of picking up the kids, planning dinner, etc…) but I only have a couple of hours left…with 3-5 hours worth of things to do…what that means is that I will end up working or doing home chores after the kids get home…which I don’t mind doing, it’s just kind of part of life…but it’s Friday, and I’ve also set a goal for myself to be DONE with work by a certain hour…what that hour is will vary from day to day…but, to just be done and caught up. If I’m not caught up, I’m thinking about what I could or should be doing rather than being fully engaged in my children, husband and home life.

So, how do we fix it? Well, we make a ‘hot list’. I’ve done this and failed in the past…I end up filling the list with all sorts of random thoughts of things I COULD do or WANT to do…and those overshadow the things I NEED to do. So, basically, I need to make myself a hot list, set a scheduled and FOCUSED work time, and STICK TO IT!

It REALLY is that simple…it’s not always that simple to actually execute…that requires self discipline and focus…two things I don’t exactly have an abundance of.

Shut Out the Enemy.

It’s so easy to let little distractions and negative self talk block us from productivity. Some of the lies we tell ourselves:

• You’re not going to get it done right anyway
• This is more fun, do this instead
• This is more important than what you think you should be doing
• You won’t finish on time, so don’t bother
• No one cares about that
• You’re irrelevant
• You deserve a day off…again
• You should just veg today…watch tv, shop, etc…
• You can do that Bible Study later.
• Your kids don’t need your attention or focus – they’re fine

And so many, many others. What are the lies in your head? Honey, listen…the enemy comes to kill and destroy. It’s literally his purpose. His mission. You’re ON HIS VISION BOARD (speaking of…I need to do that…or do I? See? Distractions) You know those fun memes and inspirational posts? ‘NOT TODAY SATAN’ and

That’s one of my favorites. Seriously, be that person. Don’t let him look forward to wrecking your day and your life. Make HIM FEAR YOU!

Yes, I’m writing this post as much to myself as I am to you. Satan doesn’t win this! If you need a scripture to walk you through those tough to get it together and get moving days, this is one of my favorites:

Sometimes, I literally just say out loud ‘Get behind me, Satan’. or ‘Not today, jerkface.’. If it’s a particularly rough morning or day, you might hear me yell, “GO AWAY.” And that’s enough. God hears me. Satan certainly can’t miss what I’m telling him. Rebuke the enemy, and he cannot take you. I have desparately felt that my marriage and family have been under Satan attack the last couple of years. Why might that be? Because we are striving to be more faithful, more deliberate with our witness, and draw closer to God than we have ever been. This is NOT what Satan wants…he wants us to fail. So, I’m not going to sit here and tell you you’re not going to have bad days…you will. I’m not going to tell that distractions, big and small, won’t derail your plans and threaten your spirit. They will. The secret, love, is to tell Satan NO. He doesn’t get to take your joy. Your spirit. Your mission. Your GOD INTENDED PURPOSE. He doesn’t get that.

This post was written and graphics created in record time. Because I CLAIMED THAT PROMISE. Will I get the other things done? Maybe…we shall see. Tomorrow is another day…

We know how the story ends, don’t we? Let’s live like we trust and believe in that.

God bless, and keep you safe and free!

Much Love to you and yours!

Cindi

^{Self proclaimed Godmother of the Messy Bun Mafia.}

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