How to Get Moving on your Goals

All or Nothing and the WIP Wednesday Link-Up

I apologize for the technical issue this morning! A setting accidentally got checked that should not have been. All is fixed now!! Link away!
Please make sure you are visiting and commenting on at least the person linked up right before you! Everyone wants to feel the love of the community!! Also be sure to link back to New Life Steward either with the button (code on side bar) or just a text link! Y’all are awesome!

I’m an All or Nothing kinda girl. At least when it comes to projects. I’m either all in, 100% on board, devoted to getting the job done.

Or I’m not. And then I do nothing.

About a month ago, I wrote about realizing that I simply didn’t have the time to write an entire eBook in three and a half months before the Allume conference. I had just finished up Jeff Goins #15Habits Challenge. In that challenge, I was inspired to write an eBook. Then I added the goal of having it ready by the time I went to Allume, so I could share it there and figure out the next step.

I even got up at 3:50 one morning to have 2 hours to write.

But then I never found the time or inspiration to get back to that eBook. I thought about it as I went to sleep and wrote some great stuff while drifting off. But when the morning came, all my creative genius was lost.

So I wrote about realizing that I needed a more realistic goal. This would likely mean that I would not have that eBook finished by Octobor–but maybe by the New Year or early Spring.

After hitting publish on that post, I haven’t written one word on that eBook. I just stopped completely. That was never my intention, but its what happened. My intention was to write a bit here and there until it all added up to an eBook.

So now here I am. Back at square one and frustrated. I want to write that eBook. I need to. It’s rolling around in my head and I want it out! I also need to figure out what’s holding me back.

Is it laziness? Would I simply prefer to watch TV or nap during my free time. Achieving my goals will require sacrifice.

Is it fear? Writing for this blog comes easy to me. The words just pour out. Writing this eBook is hard. I labor over every sentence–afraid of saying the wrong thing. Achieving my goal will require trusting in God to cast out that fear.

Is it unrealistic expectations? What do I expect this eBook to be? Do I feel like I can’t measure up to the vision in my head, so it’s safer to just leave it there? Do I feel like since I most likely can’t finish it by October, it isn’t worth writing? Achieving my goal will require adapting expectations as time goes by and just going for it.

My new mantra: Determine the sacrifice, trust in God, set flexible expectations, and then just do it! <—Click to Tweet!

My son starts Mother’s Day Out tomorrow. He will be there two mornings a week. My plan is to focus solely on the eBook for at least one hour each of those days. That’s two hours a week. It’s not much, but it’s a start. I’ve gotta start somewhere, right?

Will you do me a favor and ask me about the eBook every now and then? Send me an e-mail or tweet. I’d love for you to hold me accountable!

Do you have a project you keep avoiding? What do you need to do to get going? Any suggestions for me? Let’s chat in the comments!

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It’s time for the WIP (Work in Progress) Wednesday Link-Up!

This week’s featured post: Wednesday’s Walk by Sherri–In this post, Sherri really captures the heart of WIP Wednesday–sharing what the Lord is doing in her life!

What is God doing in your life? Link up a post below or let’s chat in the comments! Please make sure you link back to newlifesteward.com! This helps promote the community and allows everyone’s posts to be shared. If you aren’t sure how to do that, e-mail me! I’ll be glad to help!

Link Up Rules:

Please link to the post’s permalink so that it will go directly to the post you want us to read.
In the “Name” space, put the title of your post.
Limit 3 Links per week.
Please take time to visit the blogger before you and encourage them in their comments.
Use Hashtag #WIPwed when you tweet about your post!
One Post will be featured each week from the previous week’s Linky!
Please link back to newlifesteward.com so your readers know where to find us! (Grab the button on the sidebar!)

If you are reading this via e-mail or Reader, click over to participate!

This post is linked with thanks to:

Works for Me Wednesday
iFellowship
Women in the Word Wednesday
Living Well Wednesday
Unwrapping His Promises
God Bumps and God-Incidences
Whatever Wednesday
Photo Credit: |vvaldzen|

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http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/ SimplyHelpingHim

Yes, fear….yes, time…..yes, sacrifice…..many things I want and NEED to do don’t happen because of these very things. I too have not written. Sigh. Praying for you dear friend! Btw I can’t link up b/c it says I don’t have your blog linked on my Whatever Wed post, but it is there
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  It’s fixed! Don’t know why that setting got checked! Thanks for letting me know!
  - http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/ SimplyHelpingHim
    
    np
http://twitter.com/Lamponastand Lamp on a Stand

Mary Beth,
It looks like your linky tool setting does not have the appropriate links plugged in for the required link back. It said the correct link was not on my page, and that the link I needed was “Nothing.” Hope you get it fixed.
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Checking now!! Shouldn’t be requiring a link back! Thanks!
  
  Mary Beth
  newlifesteward.com
  @newlifesteward
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  So I replied to this via e-mail, but apparently it didn’t come through! All is fixed now. Thanks for letting me know!!
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http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth

Yes a glitch! It’s fixed now! Thanks for letting me know!

Mary Beth
newlifesteward.com
@newlifesteward
TereasaM

I get this. Really, I do. I’ll encourage you!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thanks! You encourage me just by being YOU!
http://susanstilwell.com/ Susan Rinehart Stilwell

I’ll definitely pray for you to focus, Mary Beth, and I’ll check in periodically. I’ve got 2 ebooks in my head, but I also want to write a study on Judges to propose at a conference next May. Your perseverance will encourage me!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Wow! Your goals encourage me! Proposing at a conference…that is big! I appreciate your prayers and will be praying for you as well!
http://godspotting.net Sheila Seiler Lagrand

Oh it’s hard, isn’t it? I’ll be praying you on. Thank you for hosting!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thank you so much for the prayers and encouragement! I’m glad to host! It’s fun meeting folks and reading their stories!
http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth

The settings were messed up this morning! I’ve got it fixed now. You should be good to go. So sorry for the problem!
- http://www.littlerandr.org/ A Little R & R
  
  Not a problem. Thanks for the link up. I always enjoy linking up on your blog. Blessings!!
http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth

I sent you an e-mail in case you don’t get this response, but everything is fixed! Sorry for the delay!
http://www.newequus.wordpress.com/ Mindy @ New Equus

MB…things happen in God’s time. When it’s right, He will let you know. I would suggest writing down your thoughts so you don’t lose them but save putting them in cohesive form until He urges you to do so.
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thanks Mindy! I appreciate your encouragement!
Judith

This was a good post!!!! I have a project on the back-burner that sure needs to get done!! I transcribe sermons and I have one that is almost finished that I should work on this morning. As to e-books…the Lord will give you the words when the time comes. They will pour out. What you share will be real then. Thanks so much for sharing and hosting the link-up.
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http://www.facebook.com/ChristinaRFox Christina Fox

I can’t seem to get anything accomplished because my kids inevitably start a fight as soon as I sit at the computer:) Mom’s morning out sounds like a great time and opportunity to make progress. May God give you the words, time, and energy to step forward in faith. Blessings!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I’ve been wondering how I’m going to make this writing work when I add more kiddos to the mix or he grows out of MDO! I’m going to cherish it while I have it!
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Laurie Collett

Each day I pray for wisdom in how to allocate time and energy to the many projects I feel led to do, and to be a good steward of the time and resources He has entrusted to us. Thanks for the great post & for hosting the linkup, & God bless,
Laurie

http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
messymarriage

I’ve tried to work on a marriage book for years. I start and stall, start and stall. Part of my hesitancy is wanting to have something different to say than what others are saying. And part of it is waiting on God’s inspiration and timing. What I’m learning is that God laughs at my self-imposed goals. And I’m learning more in the process than I might have if I’d churned out a book in a few months. I’m glad you are setting goals, but like you’ve said, “set flexible goals” based on God’s timing and ways and it will all come together, Mary Beth!
- JosephPote
  
  God has such different ways of dealing with each of us. After doing a series of Sunday School classes on God’s heart toward His children who have experienced divorce, I felt inspired to turn it into a book..so I did. Although the book has received good reviews from readers, sales have been pretty low, thus far…marketing is funny business and I have very limited time to invest.
  However…publishing the book got me started blogging, which has turned out to be a pretty cool ministry opportunity.
  At this point, I’m wondering if the book wasn’t more God’s way of nudging me into blogging than an end goal in itself…
  Alll for His glory…and always interesting!
http://twitter.com/parresia Julie Wilson

I think you are inside my head, except for the ebook part… No desire there. But growing my blog? Or making a go of it at my card making into a business? Total fear and laziness!!
- http://twitter.com/parresia Julie Wilson
  
  Ps. I want an Advanced Readers Copy of your ebook!
  - http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
    
    Yes ma’am!
http://www.gettingdownwithjesus.com/ dukeslee

I. hear. you. Writing a book is hard … harder than I ever imagined. I’ve been writing professionally since I was 16 years. I’ve written thousands of news stories, magazine articles, blog posts … and literally millions of words. But writing a book is like no other project that I’ve undertaken. But please hear me … You can do this! Push back that fear with prayer, and with prayer partners, asking them to pray a hedge of protection around you. Keep fighting through. Keep a journal on your nightstand, so that when those moments of genius come before bed, you can jot them down. Carve some time, and do this thing. You CAN do it! With Christ in you, friend. Cheering you on.
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I think I need to print this out and put it in that journal on my night stand! Thank you so much. I want to jump up and give a fist pump after reading this!
http://www.healthyspirituality.org Jean Wise

interesting and wonderful comments below. I just responded to your comment on my blog that I was actually visiting your blog at the same time. We must have passed each other over the internet. HA

I know fear is part of it. But writing is hard work. day by day. word by word. Fear others may be critical of what I write. A trait about myself is being too critical about others and catty so naturally I fear others will think that way too.

One thing that help was my online critique group kept asking me when it would be done. After I asked them for help in critiquing I couldn’t waste their time and not finish. Accountability.

good food for thought here today!
http://www.tanyamarlow.com/ Tanya Marlow

Oh – I SO relate to this! I have also got a book idea bubbling away. And I haven’t been doing it, and I haven’t been doing it. And some of that is getting other stuff out of the way, and some of it is just being TERRIFIED. Not sure what of, exactly, but just terrified.

Keep me accountable too? Xx
JosephPote

“Determine the sacrifice, trust in God, set flexible expectations, and then just do it!”
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
Mandy

“Heavenly Father, I praise you for the wonderful woman you have created in Your servant, Mary Beth. Thank you for her dedication, her love for You, and her heart for other people. Grant her now Your guidance. Convict her of what, how, and when You would have her write. Shine Your light on each step of the process, that she may follow the path You have drawn for her. Most of all, engrave on her always how deeply You love her and are pleased with her, as she daily walks with You. I ask these things int he name of Jesus. Amen.”
Cherry

Yes, sometimes projects seem to be overwhelming, and it is difficult to know whether to pursue them or not. Your idea of baby steps, an hour here and an hour there, sounds like a good plan. And you can just see how God opens up the doors for you, following Him a step at a time.
http://twitter.com/becomingjoyful Patti @ JoyfulMama

I am confident that if God is guiding you to it, you will walk into it and do the thing! I am blown away by what you have done with your blog in such a short time… if a book is His plan I believe you will do it with excellence. As you know, I am with you on counting the cost. We lay down these things, things we don’t really need, to do His will, and really He just lifts us right up, doesn’t He? He uses us, weak things of the world, jars of clay… He uses us SO THAT He will be glorified. If you think you can’t do it, then friend, you are the perfect candidate, because then He will be the one doing it in you. Yes? Write on sister!