Stay on Task!

You sit down to work on a project or chore (one that you’re probably reluctant to do in the first place). And what happens? Your cell phone rings. You decide to download a couple of songs to your iPod. You get a message on your BlackBerry. You decide to check out a web site on your laptop. You sit down to play “just one game” on your video game system. Next thing you know, you’re wondering, “Where did the time go?”

In this day and age, distractions are everywhere. And they usually begin so innocently with, “First I’ll do this. Then I’ll get to that.” But the truth is, the little distractions become major problems when they prevent us from doing the things we need to get done. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to help us stay on task:

Give yourself a time limit. If you find that you absolutely have to do something unexpected before you actually get down to business, put a limit on how much time you’ll spend doing it.
Save the best for last. Make a list of the things you want to do. Giving yourself something to look forward to can help you get through your task a little easier.

Paul was well aware of the distractions we face along our Christian journey when he wrote, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) By staying on task, Paul knew that he would receive the ultimate reward in heaven.

I’m going to beware of the distractions and keep my eyes on the prize.