I’m a list maker.
Yep. Every morning, whether I’m at work or home on a Saturday, I make lists of what I want to accomplish that day.
Of course, I also try to make lists of what I want to accomplish that week. And then I have lists of goals for the month and year too.
I’ve talked before about my tunnel vision. I tend to focus in on something big I want to accomplish, and from then on out, it takes an army to stand in my way. I force my way through any barricades life throws at me. I am Lindsay, hear me roar.
Oh, wait.
Maybe that’s not always a good thing.
Yes, it’s good to fight for our dreams, and to be organized, and to discipline ourselves to do what we said we will…most of the time.
But that tunnel vision can turn into something that’s more harmful than helpful, at least for me.
Because I stop seeing the reason I’m doing it all in the first place.
Case in point: I’m a writer. I want to be published. I want to write full time for a living. Sometimes I can get so narrowed in on that fact alone that I forget WHY I want to write.
It’s not so I can be famous, or receive accolades, or feel good about myself. Ultimately, it’s so people might read my words and draw closer to the One who gave them to me in the first place.
But I often forget about the PEOPLE, and RELATIONSHIPS, and spending time with GOD, which are the reasons life is worth living in the first place.
I love when God reminds me: it’s not all about today. That doesn’t mean I need to live in the future either, unless we’re talking Heaven. I want to be focused on the end game–the end result of a life lived here–not in a morbid way, but in a way that helps me keep a Heavenly perspective, viewing everything in light of what things here mean for eternity.
Who knows how God will use what you’re experiencing and doing today to affect that future?
So, maybe it’s okay to be tunnel visioned…so long as the focus is narrowed in on God.
Your Turn: Are you a list maker? Do you struggle with tunnel vision too?
*Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
You know the answer to whether I'm a list-maker, right? And you also surely know that everything you said in your post echoes in my life, too, yeah? 'Cause we've talked about it before…that pesky tunnel vision. 🙂
It's not all about today. I love the truth in that.
Thanks for the rockin' encouragement today, Linz!
Lindsay, what an excellent post. Thanks for explaining this infliction I seem to have been suffering lately: tunnel vision, and not the good kind. Thanks for helping to put me back on track!
Not a list maker but I definitely get tunnel vision. LOL Love your words, Today is not everything! That's soooo true.
Have a great week and don't be afraid to crumple that list of yours. LOL
I'm a list maker, mostly. I believe the best way to stay focused on the dream giver and not just the dream, is yep…get up early before anyone else and spend time with Him. At one point early on in my writing journey, I would wake up and check facebook, email, twitter and then my time with Him ran short or was non-existent. Talk about conviction! I had a reality check or a "tunnel vision" check.
I love your honesty and your heart, Linds! It's not all about today! You're awesome!
Thanks for the openness in pouring out your heart, Lindsay. I can relate. I'm a list maker and get too wrapped up in my little writing world that other important things sink to the background.
We're not alone in this struggle and I always feel God tugging on my heartstrings, beckoning me back to where I need to be.
Have a great Monday!
A good reminder! Oh gosh yes. As a teacher, I have to make a list or I forget so many things!
I have a tendency to get caught up in the now and forget about the then. However, God is very good at reminding me of things HE wants me to focus on. Like the other night, He woke me and Scott up at 3am the other morning just to pray for our son. (I'll blog about it later…) It was as if He was saying to us both, THIS is what I want you to focus on right now!
God is so good.
Oh Lindsay,
Thanks for sharing your heart today. I probably suffer with the opposite – I'm so all over the stinkin' place that sometimes NOTHING gets done. It's one of the reasons I took time off from everything in December – I needed to get a grip! But I'm trying to be better at planning these days. The Lord knows my weakness and still loves me – grace.
Blessings,
Becky
Sometimes I'm a list maker – when the task or project is large. Yeah, tunnel vision from time to time too.
I'm not a list maker, but I'm trying to get better at it! Not being a list maker, I have so many moments where I go: "Ahh! I forgot about that!" Now I have a weekly to-do poster on my fridge, courtesy of a friend of mine who IS a list maker! It has been very helpful.
Nope, not a list maker. But I totally get you on the goals. I tend to focus on a goal and not have any fun until the goal is reached. Which means my life has been on hold for five years, waiting to get published! Agh. Okay, not totally. But seriously, it does make it hard to be in the present when one part of your mind is ALWAYS on that impending yea or nay e-mail.
And yes, I want to write for God, but at this point, I need to make some money on it! Otherwise, there is no justification for the time and energy it takes to blog and platform-build and write and edit…sigh.
I've been convicted today that I need to ramp up my prayer efforts–for myself! I don't tend to pray with much faith about myself. For other writers and friends and family, sure. But myself? Nope. So it's time to make that my goal for now.
Great thoughts today, Lindsay.
I'm definitely a list maker. They get me through the day…as long as I check them. And I definitely struggle with tunnel vision. I found myself struggling with that in November last year. When my honey asked me to take a couple weeks off of writing, I didn't want to say yes. It turns out it was such a good thing to do. It gave me the freedom to work on Christmas preparations, to enjoy our kids more and to slow down a little bit. Lists are a good thing for me. And, when I follow them, they do help me move out of tunnel vision and have a more well rounded perspective. 😉
Not a fan of lists, long story, but I do make them. But my house ALWAYS looks like a tornado dumped out a hockey store right into the family room. I'm aPROcrastinator. It's terrible. But if I have something like a trip or an event coming up, I am LUCY LIST GIRL!!