0 Tips on Getting Things Done

The number one comment/question I get is, “How do you do it all?”  (well, it’s second to, “You have HOW many kids?!  Don’t you know what causes that?!”)

I know how it looks; I do seem to get a lot done.  I’m not sure why, but I have always been that way.  At least since I was about 25.  Before that I was pretty much useless.

I remember the first time a friend taught me to cross stitch.  It was the 80’s; everyone was doing it.  She and I started the same pattern on the same day.  Even though she had been stitching  for years, I finished mine in less than half the time. I don’t think she was pleased.

I do work hard, but really I think I just get things done quickly.  For example, I painted James’ office this morning.  He’s out of town so I thought it would be a good time.  I was finished by lunch.  That’s normal for me.

I don’t say this to brag or sound like I have some gift.  I’m just me.  I have lots and lots (and LOTS) of flaws.

You should see how slowly I walk.  If you’ve been shopping with me or out for a walk you will get frustrated.  I creep.  If I try to walk as fast as you I feel like I’m running and I have trouble keeping up. Why is this?  Really, it’s weird.  But I take the good with the bad.  Good, getting projects done quickly.  Bad, dragging everyone down at the flea market.

I wish I had a better answer than that.  I don’t have any secret tips and tricks for getting it all done.

But there are things I don’t understand about some of you either.  Like, how do you stay thin?  You really cheery/peppy people, how do you keep that up?  How do you come up with a variety of meals for your family (and not burn most of it)?  How does your hair always look so great?  How do you afford to take vacations?

These and many more questions burn in my thoughts.  Isn’t it great that we each have something we’re good at?

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12: 6-8

16 Comments

  1. Melissa….exactly! You totally got my point. And I should have added this question, how do you figure out your SLR cameras? It’s lost on me. But like you said, we don’t have to have each other’s gifts. If you had my gift you’d have to have my flaws too….and you sure don’t want those! 🙂 Lisa~

  2. Excellent application of Romans 12! I have to remember it whenever my friends homeschool “better” than I do (but then I think of the other things we have going on in our family that I wouldn’t actually sacrifice to make more time for what they have going on) … we DO each have different gifts and differences in some of the specifics in how we’re called to live out God’s kingdom here on earth. It’s easy to compare and fall short. But are we saying our own assignment isn’t good enough? That God somehow made a mistake in what He decided to hand us? Thanks for the reminder!

  3. Kim, Yes! I love that line, “But are we saying our own assignment isn’t good enough?” You are right. It’s a matter of trusting God. You guys are so great. I love hearing what you think. Lisa~

  4. Thanks for the reminder not to covet the gifts of others and to spend time developing the gifts that God gave me. It’s so easy to want what others have, isn’t it!? My prayer today is to be content in what the Lord has provided me.

    Also, we can see the gifts of other godly women and be inspired to do our best in the areas God would have us improve. A mom posted recently about laundry. If laundry can be a gift, I didn’t get it! However I was encouraged to do a better job by reading.
    .-= Michele´s last blog ..The Way of Wisdom =-.

  5. Oh Michele, you are right! I am encouraged so much by others. I love learning from women with unique gifts. You have such a wonderful blog and it is very encouraging. Just yesterday as I was reading it I thought, “How does she do that? Get right to the point and be so sweet about it?” Sweetness is not generally my gift. 🙂 Lisa~

  6. I don’t know how often I wish I could do more in some many areas that my great friends are gifted at. This post was so inspiring to me!!!! I have had several instances lately where when I have felt this very same way. The Lord has had others make comments to me about my energy to get so much done in a day and be so organized. So often I over look what the Lord has me be good at cause I am focusing on others’ gifts. Personally I think it doesn’t just take a village to raise a child as they say….around my house we are all pitching in (even if we don’t want too 😉 😉

    Hugs,
    🙂 Heather

  7. Heather, first of all…you always amaze me! You make these great meals and your home is so organized. Really amazing. But you’re right. We forget to focus on what we have because we’re wishing we had something else. I know I do! Lisa~

  8. Thank you for this post. So often I see my shortcomings in comparison to those around me and “beat” myself up for not being better always losing sight of my own giftings. This discussion made me think of two verses. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Galatians 6:9 Often we look at this verse in terms of spiritual and moral issues. But after reading your post, it came to me about the things I am good at. I think I tend to get bored and weary with my own goodness. So I will strive to not be discontented with what I am not gifted to do and instead not grow weary with what I am gifted to do. Meanwhile, I will continue to let you “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24) in me. Thanks for a great post! And sorry for commenting a “volume”

  9. I think that depending on the level of sanctification you are currently at determines just how clearly one would see the point you’ve made. 3 years ago all I saw were my flaws. Now, praise the Lord, I’m able to see where He has blessed me and not worry so much about something I can’t change…of course there are those times where all I do all day is sulk on that one thing (and really the thing I’m dwelling on is quite ridiculous usually). Naturally, there are those weaknesses we have that can be strengthened and we should always strive to reach a higher level of glorifying God in all we do.
    .-= Autumn Beck´s last blog ..The Crazy Month of August =-.

  10. Okay sooooooo I have been painting one room and a hallway all week, you are killing me. But I leave everyone in the dust with walking, I have always been a fast walker even in 4 in. heels many can’t keep up. So we have found what is different, haa! But I love what is different about us as much as what is the same, We are each called to be who we are, with what we have, for right now.

    Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.
    Esther 4:14b
    One of my all time favorites.
    .-= Cha Cha´s last blog ..What I Wore 11 =-.

  11. This is such a tough one for me! I have unfinished tasks and half-done cleaning projects in almost every room in our house! And yes, it drives my dear hubby completely nuts! Our house seems to be in a constant state of disarray and the minute I get it together it all seems to fall apart again! Ugh!
    On the bright side I am usually a very happy person despite all the clutter (this fact also drives hubby nuts) and I’m one of those people who walk very fast too!

  12. Celeste, you wouldn’t see me walking if you lived here. I’m a hermit. I don’t go for walks at home, only when shopping. 😉

    Autumn, yes, we all need to continue to improve. It’s an interesting journey, isn’t it?

    Cha Cha, now I will have an image of you hurrying along….keeping me exhausted. If only you could walk for me and I could paint for you. I guess that’s what being in the body of Christ is all about. Helping each other AND being understanding of each other’s weaknesses, just like Deanna said.

    Sheri O, that would drive me crazy as well. I am a finisher. But the cheeriness is something I do wish I had more of. You’re a treasure just the way you are!

    Lisa~

  13. Thanks for the kid words Lisa! I will try reminding myself (and hubby) of that when my unfinishedness (is that a word?) drives us both nuts! I needed a pick me up today!

    By the way, how did you will yourself to become more organized – you said this didn’t kick in until you were 25? I am still trying to figure this one out and I’m almost 45!

    Sheri O.

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