I’ve been noticing a reverse in the swing of the proverbial
pendulum lately, a shift from the Give Me More things to have, stuff to do, friends
to follow, books to read mentality, to a Do One Thing Well, Finish What You
Start, have Fewer but Truer Friends one.
Well, maybe it’s not a universal movement. Maybe it’s just a
message I hear wherever I go; you know how it is when you keep hearing or
seeing the same thing, as though the One who directs your path is saying, “Do
you get it now? how about now?”
I think it was the pile of unread books by my bed, and in my
quiet corner, and on my work shelves that did it. An occupational hazard gone
wild. I either buy and read so many books so fast that I don’t even remember them
two minutes after I finish, or I don’t read them at all, but plan to—until
another catches my eye.
Enough, I said. From now on I’m not buying another book
until I finish what I have and review what I promised. And furthermore, I am
going to learn—really learn, as in practice and do— at least One Thing from
each of my nonfiction craft/life/whatever books.
As though to fortify my resolve, this idea about doing fewer
things well and finishing what I start, began showing up all over the place.
For example, at a recent writer’s conference, the marketing
class I took focused more on building smaller, more meaningful relationships based
on reciprocity than ones focused on “it’s all about me. Marketing plans fill me
with fear, but building meaningful relationships one person at a time, now that
I can handle.
One instructor, Torry Martin, inspired
the idea of affirming or encouraging a certain number of other people each day
before beginning my own pursuits. Hmm, have I heard something like this before—“think
on others . . .”
And although I know lists are ever popular, two particular challenges
came my way on the heels of each other. Although totally different topics, both
are disciplines which reinforce the idea of finishing a few things well rather than
starting a gazillion aimlessly:
Jeff Goins’ online challenge (15 Habits of Great Writers)and
Kent & MacGregor’s 40 Ways to Get Closer to God.(I’m not
very far along in this book because you can’t go on to the next day unless you’ve
completed the first day’s focus. Not that I think of myself as a spiritual sluggard,
but I did commit to their specific recommendations for forty days. )
Even Ann Voskamp with her powerful book One Thousand Gifts, reduces her
search for God’s joy down to the pursuit of one thing: thankfulness. Now that’s
doable.
In each of the above mentioned pursuits, there is an underlying
need to be free of clutter and chaos. Perhaps it has something to do with my
becoming a Woman of a Certain Age who is losing her multi-tasking skills, but I
think it has more to do with not wanting so many distractions.
Because I know that in the midst of a million things to
do there is really only
ONE
THING
I have
asked of the Lord that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in
his temple.—Psalm 27:4
Ditto what you said! I've had similar experiences.
ReplyDeleteI finished two unread books on vacation. Only about two dozen more to go. :( Thank you for encouragement.
ReplyDeleteSadly I'm a people pleaser, glad to be one too, and so I generally spend time doing lots of stuff for lots of people and only get half my own stuff done. Still I'm happy; looking after my wife and kids and being helpful makes me happy and I do make time to write blogs and my novel. Of course I always put God first and so everything is easy when God helps me along.
ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong with God first, for sure! Blessings
DeleteMarcia, I can relate to so well it's downright scary. Last year after conference I began reading a lot about my craft but spent little time actually practicing it. The lack of balance wreaked havoc on my momentum. For the remainder of the year I plan to finish the books I've started, follow through on reviewing, and actually writing. (But speaking of books, don't you love the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery? I spotted it on your stack. Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Great post!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hope Torry returns to BRMCWC next year.
Let's hold each other to it!
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