Only Five Things to Do

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.”

Paul J. Meyer

“When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous.”

Wayne Dyer

“You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.”

Les Brown

• Read.
• Write.
• Study.
• Eat well.
• Exercise.

What if…?

What if everything I did was centered around those five simple activities? 

What if I made life simpler and perhaps easier? 

What if life were based on a few simple propositions rather than a multitude of ideas, choices and voices? 

What if everything I did, good or bad, mistake or triumph, was only between God and me?  

What if I chose to live my own life rather than the life others would like to plan for me?

What if I chose to limit the amount of input from friends, family or institutions?

What if I learned to trust myself more?

What if I spent more time doing my work?

What if I spent more time taking advantage of the gifts, time and resources I have?

Would…?

Would that make my life and my choices simpler?

Would that create more self-discipline?

Would I be more loving?

Would I be more grateful?

Would I be happier?

Would I have more fun?

Would I be more focused?

Would it eliminate unnecessary and self-created drama?

Obviously, I don’t know the answers to any of these questions.  I do know this however:  when I am in my Purpose and when I’m doing one of the five things listed above, I feel better.  Fears and doubts seem to disappear.  I feel stronger, more loving and more confident.  When I focus on what I really need and when I stop looking for others to give it to me, then, paradoxically, I start focusing on others.  I want to hug others rather than ask them to hug me.

The truth is that I have no business creating drama or misery for others or for me.  And the best way to keep that from happening is to focus on the things I’m supposed to be doing.  Almost everything else is not only a waste of time, it’s potentially destructive.

Here’s what I want in the future, just one thing:  a house near the beach.  And the only way I can see that happening is to focus on what I need to do in the present.  I know what my gifts and abilities are.  I suspect most of us do.  So that’s where the majority of my time should be spent.  Everything else should be eliminated or reduced.  Does this sound ruthless and uncaring?   No.  What’s ruthless and uncaring is waking up to a life where I not only did not reach any of my goals, but I didn’t even try.

There is no reason I cannot be successful.  Well, actually there are plenty of reasons I cannot be successful:

·      Laziness

·      Fear

·      Lack of focus

·      Lack of self-care.

Those reasons will keep me from being successful.  But there are more reasons to be successful:

·      My house on the beach

·      People I love

·      Using the talents God gave me

·      Happiness

·      Financial success

·      Helping others

·      The satisfaction of knowing I did my best.

So there it is.  My 350^th blog and one more reminder to Get Started and Keep Going…because I have five things to do today and every day.