Living Life | With Purpose: October 2012

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The Inner Path: Try Being Your Own Best Friend

A good way to move forward in life and achieve purpose and success is to be your own best friend. Being honest with yourself about your fears and insecurities, and on the need to always reach outside of yourself for completeness. Not knowing how to handle it, you mask your true feeling in habits or daily routines of materialism, criticizing yourself and others, using a friend to complete you, religion, more money, a better job, or maybe you escape into alcohol, drugs, more sex, TV, etc. You may not have given this any thought, but many people seek happiness outside of themselves. However, there's no true contentment unless it first comes from within. Even today's stresses and demands require a strong, solid sense of self - which is what being your own best friend is all about. Instead of searching outside of yourself, have fun and enjoy yourself, alone. Read the tips below to see how you can become your own best friend .

5 Tips to Becoming Your Own Best Friend.

Be positive with yourself: Develop the same kind of positive attitude and love toward yourself that you feel toward people whom you treasure as your friends. Give yourself uninhibited encouragement, kindly patience and unconditional support just as you give to others. Forgive yourself when you make mistakes - and reward yourself when you do well.
Don't be ruled by emotion: Sometimes giving in to emotions are great when they help keep you from causing damage to yourself or others. But, being ruled by emotions takes a heavy toll; feeling weak... rather than strong or self-pity... rather than self-respect. Whether you are acting out of passion, anger or using knowledge to lead your feelings, it's up to you as to how to react. Feelings are not independent... we evoke them, and if we're mature, we choose how to act on them. Make a basic decision and don't be a slave to you emotions. Just remember, feelings change and don't last forever.
Watch how you talk to yourself: Choose to lift yourself up and not put yourself down. How you feel about yourself is up to you, so if you don't like what you do....change it... if you can't change it....accept it with love, understanding and compassion. But above all, don't beat up on yourself emotionally. Pay attention to the things you say to yourself, by keeping your intrapersonal communications, which is called "self-talk", positive. And even when you make a mistake, don't call yourself names such as jerk, loser, fool or stupid. You don't want this type of self-talk to become a habit, which could lead to low self-esteem. The best way to break this negative self-talk is to immediately substitute a positive word for every negative one used. Become a good, encouraging person to have by your side.
Meet your own expectations: Set reasonable goals for yourself and meet them. This alone will give you good reason to like yourself. This is important because it'll encourage you to use positive self-talk....... I did a good job... I came through for me... I can count on me. You don't have to wait on anyone to give you feedback or validation. And, it can be any goal, small or large, maybe you washed the dishes, cleaned the room or balanced your bank statement. The fact that you got the task done is a success.
Focus on the things you want to achieve: Whether it's being a great artist, becoming a great dancer, writer or teacher, etc. Anything you want to do.... focus on that. Don't let the fear of failure nor the fear of being alone or being own your own, stop you from moving ahead. It's a frightening prospect - until you realize you can give yourself the comfort and sustenance you seek from others. Be your own boss and get things done.

When you become your own best friend, do to yourself what you always wanted in a best friend. You spend a lot of time encouraging others, now spend some time strengthening your relationship with you. All the things you said to others, now say them to you and develop your inner awareness, self-esteem and develop your strong, solid sense of self...now.

Tasty Goodness - Guy's Dragon's Breath Chili Recipe

Dragon's Breath Chili

Guy Fieri's Dragon's Breath Chili is the best chili. I know people get one recipe and keep it forever, but this time you'll want to adopt a new chili recipe as your favorite. Guy Fieri, of Guy's Big Bite, on the Food Network, showed off big time with this chili recipe from the episode, Fuel the Fieri.
Here's the video for this recipe. You'll be happy you tried it, but allow time to prep - the chopping and dicing takes some time and as we know things work better when you're well prepared. You don't have to change a thing about this recipe...believe me it's the best chili recipe I have tasted in a long time. Meat lovers will love this - Guy uses boneless chuck, course ground beef and Italian sausage, very satiating and comforting. Well, let's just say....it's a bonanza of beef and pork cooked in bacon grease....and just in time for the cool weather. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons bacon grease, or canola oil
2 red bell peppers, diced (about 2 cups)
2 jalapenos, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
3 Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled, chopped
3 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, chopped
2 yellow onions, diced (about 2 cups)
1 head garlic, minced (about 1/4 cup)
1 pound boneless chuck, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 pounds ground beef, coarse grind
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
2 teaspoons granulated onion
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons hot paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup tomato paste
12 ounces lager beer
1 cup chicken stock
2 (15.5-ounce) cans pinto beans, with juice
2 (15.5-ounce) cans kidney beans, with juice
Double-Fried French Fries, recipe follows
Saltine crackers, for garnish
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded Cheddar

Directions

In large stock pot over high heat, add butter and bacon grease. Add bell pepper, jalapeno, chiles and onion and cook until caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute a minute longer. Add chuck and brown. Add ground beef and sausage to brown and stir gently, trying not to break up the ground beef too much. Cook until meat is nicely browned and cooked through, about 7 to10 minutes. Add in granulated onions, granulated garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add in tomato sauce and paste and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in beer and chicken stock. Add beans, lower heat and simmer for 2 hours.

Serve in bowls over Double-Fried French Fries and garnish with Saltine crackers, green onions and shredded Cheddar. (Optional)

Double-Fried French Fries

4 (4 to 5-inches long) russet potatoes (about 2 pounds)
2 quarts canola oil
1 tablespoons fine-grain sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Peel potatoes on the sides, leaving the ends with the skin on. Cut the potatoes into 1/3-inch slices and then slice into 1/3-inch sticks. Fill a large bowl with water and soak potatoes, submerged, for at least 30 minutes up to 24 hours. This will help remove the excess starch from the potatoes and keep them from oxidizing.

Heat a heavy stock pot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer with oil to 325 degrees F. Remove potatoes from the water, and pat dry to remove excess water. Add 2 handfuls of potatoes to hot oil. There should be at least 1-inch of oil above the potatoes. Par cook until potatoes are light brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove potatoes, gently shaking off excess oil and let drain on rack. Repeat until all of the potatoes are par cooked.
Raise heat of oil to 350 degrees F. Cook potatoes again, 2 handfuls at a time, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from oil, shake off excess oil, and season lightly in a bowl with salt and pepper. Repeat until all potatoes are cooked.

Yield: 8-10 servings

Nutrition: 10 Appetite Suppressant Foods

Exercising control over your urge to eat, paired with having the right foods around, will add certainty that you don't go haywire from your diet, but trying to lose weight and controlling those hunger pangs makes it hard. You may find that you're often hungry while dieting and wanting to satiate that hunger, you reach for junk food...simple carbohydrates and sugar to satisfy your appetite and before long, negate the diet completely.

Have you given thought to appetite suppressant foods? They are healthy whole foods which curb hunger, giving you the feeling of fullness, while helping you lose weight. While reading an article by Bhakti Satalkar at Buzzle, I found that these natural foods could be my secret weapon to staying true to my weight loss plan. Pack these foods for lunch, eat them before or during holiday or special occasion parties, or for just as a snack, between meals. So, if you'll eating for a healthier lifestyle or wanting to lose weight, eating foods that suppresses your appetite proves to be useful.....anytime.

Appetite Suppressant Foods:

Almonds: The body uses the pinolenic acid, which the almonds contain, to manufacture hormones, that suppress hunger.
Apples: Apples are the best appetite suppressant; the fiber content gives a feeling of fullness and when chewed well it takes longer to digest.
Berries: My favorite appetite suppressant food are the berries; cherries, strawberries, mulberries, blueberries, raspberries, lychee, etc. They are rich in fiber and are known for their antioxidant properties. Eating a handful of berries will satiate your hunger and you will not feel hungry for a longer period.
Chocolate: The bittersweet taste of the pure dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) will give you a very satisfied feeling.
Citrus Fruits: Fruits like oranges, tangerines, sweet limes, etc. can be had, whenever one is hungry. They are a good source of fiber and it is recommended that you not juice the fruit, but eat the whole fruit for all of the nutrients and fiber, which actually causes appetite suppression.
Coffee: Coffee is one of the appetite suppressant foods. You can have a cup or two cups of coffee with non-fat cream. Try to avoid sugar in the coffee.
Green Tea: Green tea not only burns fat but also is a very good appetite suppressant food. It stimulates the release of hormones, which are responsible for curbing food carvings.
Oatmeal: By far, one of the best appetite suppressing foods is oatmeal. It is filled with rich fiber and is responsible for giving you a satiated feeling for a longer period.
Water: Water helps in keeping the body hydrated and keeps hunger at bay. If you have a glass of water before your meals it will help in suppressing your hunger. Drink a glass of water at least 20 minutes before meals.
Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein helps in building muscle mass. The muscle mass burns the fats easily, which helps in weight loss and at the same time it also gives you a feeling of fullness. Add it to milkshakes or smoothies.

The next time you need a power boost for those hunger pangs, reach for some healthy, whole, appetite suppressant foods. For more of these foods, read more at Buzzle.

Personal Finance: Your Budget Reflects Your Values

"Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are." – James W. Frick

Wow, a profound and thought provoking quote, which should make anyone take another look at how and why they spend their money the way they do. However, gaining control of your financial life really does reflect how you actually live your life. And having a family budget is a must, because it allows you to monitor your expenses and stay in control of your financial future. But, money mistakes are made, and when they are made, you could find yourself drowning in debt with all the other areas of your life falling, not far behind. Why, for one, people, often times, don't become conscious of budgets until they face tough choices in life and two, there are no values in place before establishing a budget. Setting up and adhering to a family budget is a must, especially doing these economic times, but if the budget isn't based on a firm foundation of Christian values, then it's as good as not having one at all. Good news, it doesn't have to be that way.

Since Christian values are based on spiritual things and not material things, it gives you a positive stronghold to adhere to. But, even though Christian values are spiritual in nature, the evidence of them come through your deeds and actions, the things you spend your money on. That's why you need to establish a clear set of core principles or values before you create a budget. As a matter of fact, all budgets should include those core principles, because they govern your financial decisions and ensure effective money management. Here's the good news, before you establish your budget plan, consider these pre-budgeting objectives below:

Commit to value God more than anything, anybody, or any idea: Christian values are based on spiritual things versus material things. A core Christian value is having God first in your life. He already knows what you need and will so dutifully provide. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Write down your personal vision and values: Write down the things you value most in your financial and personal life; things such as your religious beliefs, your philosophy on money and your purpose for establishing a budget. And, if you're married, then include your spouse in this process. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakkuk 2:2-3
Commit your whole budget to God: Not only does the first 10 percent belongs to God (a tithe), but in reality, He owns the other 90 percent as well.....be a faithful manager. The earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it -- the world and all its people. Psalms 24:1
Commit to patience: Take your time when establishing your budget, hurrying a budget will only result in overlooked expenses and inaccurate estimates. Create your budget over days, weeks or even months.....not hours. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Commit to teamwork: A budget will never succeed unless all interested parties take an active role in honoring the established values and rules. Include the entire family in on what the budget means and the roles they will play in helping to establish accountability and habit. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

These five objectives will help establish your foundation for a sound budget plan. At the end of the day, budgeting becomes easier when you define your values and align your spending with those things that mean the most to you and your family. We have the freedom of choice to decide what is right and what is wrong, but if we value God we will look to Him for what is right and wrong. This means continuously seeking His righteousness and totally relying on Him....We value God when we acknowledge that He knows better than we do on what we need in our lives. Now, go.... you're ready to establish your budget. Feel free to use the financial educational resources to get you started:

Financial Peace University

Personal Finance 101

Money 101

Fashion: Dressing Your Body Shape

You see the outfit you like on the mannequin or on the rack at your favorite fashion boutique... love it and buy it, but when you get home, it just doesn't look the same on you as it did in the store... umm! Did you ever think it might just be your body shape, and, that you just need a little help on which fashions suits your body shape better? It's easy to learn and once you do learn the tricks, you'll know, what better suits your shape, choose wiser when shopping and look fabulous in your clothes, all year long.

What's Your Body Shape

Read below and consider the body shapes described, to determine which one best describes you, then read the tips for that body shape for what to wear and not to wear, so you can look your best all year long.

Rectangle/Ruler/Straight: A slim body shape, with thin neck, shoulders, hips, wrists, calves, and ankles. It's pretty much the shape of a ruler. Think Gwyneth Paltrow, Thandie Newton and Cameron Diaz.

How to Wear the Rectangle Shape

wear this: frills, ruffles and bows on tops, skinny jeans with detail on hip area, if you like, flowing linen trousers will also look very elegant, A-line skirts and tulip hemline skirts, bias cut dresses or shift dresses with shape and sharp tailored jacket or flared coats that stop at the hip.
not this: Cropped or baggy tops, tunics or anything that doesn't give you a waist, combat or cargo style pants, very full or big puffy skirts will put you out of proportion and be aware of those maxi skirts if you are too tall, a very straight sheath or anything with a drop waist, dropped waist coat or anything tubular without a belt.

Apple: This body shape is what you might call curvaceous, where women generally have, for the most part, narrow hips and a large chest and stomach areas. Think Queen Latifah, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Coolidge and Star Jones.
- How to Wear the Apple Shape

Pear: Women with this body shape tend to have mid-thickness waists and ankles, small to medium size shoulders and chests, and wider hips. Think Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Hurley and Kim Kardashian.

How to Wear the Pear Shape

wear this: color above the waist, striking necklines, puffy sleeves, basic leg-flat front trousers, flared-leg trousers, clean lines and muted colors below the waist, go for volume - either structured or full and flowing-A line skirts, A-line dresses, somewhat lower cut neckline, embellished bodice with lots of detail, wide lapels, structured shoulders, details like faux-fur collars, and voluminous sleeves will balance you out.
not this: avoid skinny lapels on shirts, small, dainty collars, plain tops, skinny jeans, cargo pants with pockets on the thigh, tight pencil skirts and tube skirts, fishtail skirts will bring out your hips too much, bias cut skirts, light bright colors and bulky buttons, tight stretchy dresses, sheath and bias cut dresses, tiered flouncy bottoms on dresses, skinny lapels on coats, and slouchy shouldered styles.

Hourglass: This is the classic “hourglass” shape, with wide shoulders and hips, and a somewhat narrow waist and have curvy bodies that balance out a bikini top and bottom. Think Jessica Simpson, Beyonce, Scarlett Johannson, and Britney Spears.

How to Wear the Hourglass Shape

wear this: low halternecks and square neck tops are stunning, fitted cardigan with the top buttons undone, vertical stripes, wide leg trousers, bootcuts and flared jeans, pencil skirts and A-line skirts, knee length skirts, wrap dresses, scoop, sweetheart and V necklines, strapless dresses, belted coats and trenches, cropped jackets, and fitted button-under-the-bust blazers.
not this: baggy t-shirts and jumpers, high necks, bulky detail, straight tunic tops, skinny nor slouchy jeans, side flip pockets, tight stretchy skirts, fishtail skirts, empire line dresses, straight sheaths, frills and bows at bodice area, tight dress styles, slouchy, shapeless styles, baggy jackets, drop-waisted coats and swing coats.

Now that you know the basic body shapes and where your body fits, you should now able to see why some styles of clothing look great on, for example, an hourglass figure and won’t necessarily flatter a pear shaped woman or an apple shaped woman. Having your clothes lay perfectly over your body shape shows the quality imprint of the garment so much better. Now that you have so many fashion ideas for your body shape, you can now discover the joy of shopping all over again.

If you would like more information about your body type and what it might say to you and others, feel free to take a short quiz from Your Beauty, The Science of a Beautiful You, web site to determine your contours and other specific advice on health, beauty and shopping advice.

The Inner Path: Balancing You Life!

As much as you would like to think that you have things all "under control" you're really getting bent more and more out of shape, and because you have so many dimensions to your life; your family, friends, career, health, finances, personal and spiritual growth, - maintaining balance among them all can be very difficult. And, to make things worst, when one area is given a heap of attention.... the others suffer. You want to make things better, but you don't know where to start or how to figure what's really out of balance. I want to help you figure it out....it's the "Life Wheel". The Life Wheel is a tool to help you get a picture of where your life might be out of balance. I used this wheel when I came across the Make My Christian Life Work site. It's a Christian based blog and one of the things I like about it is the section on balancing your life. The life wheel gave me a visual to help determine where my life was out of balance and I know it will help you too.

How to use the "Life Wheel" below:

Notice each area listed on the wheel. Feel free to add or change areas or titles to better fit your life.
Rate each area listed on the wheel on a scale from 1-10; where 1=totally unhappy and 10=great.
How would you rate your life?
After you give each area a score, color it in for the title being rated, up to the assigned number.
See whether your "wheel" is round and able to roll.
Where your wheel is not round, gives you a picture of which areas of life you need to start to focus.

makemychristianlifework.com

Now, the goal is to bring all areas of your life to about the same level so it's in balance. You can use this life wheel anytime you think your life is out of balance or when there are event changes in your life, such as, the birth of a baby, going from single to married life, married to single or even career changes. You will find that as you start to improve on the life wheel, even if the level is still not where you want it, you'll begin to feel more in control. Sure a "10" would be ideal in all areas, but don't aim for perfection, but improvement.

Well, now that you're on your way to balancing your life, take some time and consider what's really important to you. Consider what your values are,your beliefs and what truly guides you in life. Then, place those as your core values, at the center of your life. By doing this, every area of your life will be directed by what you believe is the most important for you. And even when things seem a bit hectic at times, knowing your core values makes it easy to say "no" to what doesn't fit and "yes" to what does. Now go and get your life back in balance and enjoy life. Good luck and I wish you well.

Nutritionwise: Eating Better for Less!

Families face many expenses each and every month, and while priorities vary from family to family, one expense that's likely considered a top priority is the monthly food budget. And, there's no doubt with the economy the way it is, they've felt the pinch. Unlike fixed expenses, like a car loan or mortgage, groceries fluctuate constantly, and it can be a challenge to create the right budget. Did you know the The United States Department of Agriculture publishes a monthly "Cost of Food at Home Plans." These Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels; Thrifty, Low-cost, Moderate-cost and Liberal, and is available to help families set a more affordable monthly food budget for their families. The goal is to help families adjust their food budgets in this wavering economy, while keeping their family's nutritional needs in place.

So, just how much should you spend on food each month? After studying the four food plans, look at your finances for more answers. Create a budget and include all of your expenses and any leftover money. Then, allocate 15% of that amount for your food budget. Now, if you have very little money, or none at all, left over, then you need to make some adjustments in your grocery budget itself and consider areas where you might waste food; fast food takeouts, eating out, uneaten foods for lunch or at home, and consider making some changes about how you treat your meals, you could save a lot. Keeping your food budget lower than 15% of your total income is crucial considering most families have other obligations each month. However, we have some tips you can follow, especially if you have a lower income and find it hard to find nutritious foods at affordable prices.

10 Eating Better for Less Tips:

Use coupons wisely

Plan ahead by making a menu for the week and aim to get everything you need in one or two trips to save on gas and impulse buying.
Look through your supermarket flyers or online to check for sales and let those drive your menu for that week.
Use Coupons for savings, but be aware of coupons for expensive items that may end up costing you more than the store brand of that same item.
Choose store brands of the same product. They're often just as good as the name brand and can save you money.
Cook from scratch. Individual ingredients generally cost less than pre-packaged foods.
Use staples as the basis of your diet: Include items such as flour, oil, tortillas, pasta, rice and other healthy plants and grains.
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables to extend the week's meal plan and to maintain nutrition level. Besides, foods are flash-frozen soon after picking and can be more nutritious than "fresh" items that have sat on store shelves for a while.
Maintain a fully stocked pantry of basic ingredients to save on your grocery bill. Check here for a list of some basic pantry ingredients.
Purchase a whole chicken and cut it up yourself. It's more economical than buying separate pieces and you can get a nutrient-packed broth out of it, too. Freeze pieces that you're not using right away in individual freezer bags.
Get a slow cooker. They not only make cooking a snap, but it allows you to use less expensive cuts of meat to make easy one-pot meals, such as stews and chili.

These tips should get you on your way to eating better without breaking your budget. The goal is to spend wisely for the food while staying within your budget and still have some left. Now you can save money on food and cooking, and still provide the nutrition your body needs. Make adjustments where necessary to make it work for you and your family.

Tasty Goodness - Chicken Satay

Emotions Magazine

Emotions Magazine, Expressions from the heart of a woman, is a Potter's House publication focusing on issues women face and inspiring words of wisdom to encourage their growth. This is a special Woman Thou Art Loosed edition with our First Lady Serita Jakes, along with daughters, Mrs. Cora Coleman and Ms. Sarah Jakes on the cover. Click here to read and enjoy this Fall 2012 issue.

The Inner Path - Procrastination and How To Make Headway

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday. ~Don Marquis

Do you procrastinate? How about replacing high-priority actions with tasks of lower priority or do something more enjoyable, while putting off important tasks to a later time? If you are someone with a habit of putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention, then you might be a procrastinator. There's an old Spanish Proverb, which says tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. But seriously, if you are seeking to achieve your goals and finding purpose in your life then you need to get a handle on this procrastination thing. Believe it or not, procrastination steals your time - time you could be using more constructively.

Why are you procrastinating? Some of us stay very busy with constructive activities, while never getting around to the things we consider truly important, the things that will make us most proud and from which we can derive the deepest satisfaction. But why is that? Well, it could be like that Janet Jackson song, remember Pleasure Principle, that could actually be it. But it's Freudian psychology, where he describes the pleasure principle as people seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering (pain) in order to satisfy their biological and psychological needs. Yep, we just don't prefer any negative emotions. We'll put off a stressful task for something easier or until a further date is enjoyable. Habit plays a large role in procrastination and believe it or not, stress comes when you continue to put off the task, because tasks pile up and time runs short. Take a look at some reasons that might be causing your procrastination:

low sense of self-worth
apathy or laziness
impulsiveness
boredom
dislike the task
bad concentration skills
over prioritizing
anxiety or stress

Recognize any? Well the problem is that if you buy into any of the above excuses, you have created a habit and you don't follow-through on the steps needed to achieve your goals. In the moment, procrastination can feel good, but later on it catches up with you and creates stress and thus becomes a vicious cycle.

I believe procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried. Because when opportunity knocks... you want to be ready. The ability to get things done is one of the most important skills to master if you wish to achieve your goals and live your purpose. It takes both thoughtful awareness and deliberate action to navigate successfully through all of the important business of life. If you have a tendency to procrastinate, take heart, because the few rules here can conquer your procrastination and increase efficiency in your life and accomplish more. In the words of the great Martin Luther King, Jr., "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Consider the five steps below:

Determine the reason for your procrastination; could it be that you are lazy and don't want to admit it. Laziness might run in the family. You will need to break that family curse and move forward... generational curses can stronghold families for years until someone breaks the chain... break the chain. It may be anxiety or stress. If so, or if you think that might be the problem, see your doctor, check it out...you never know. But remember this step is critical to you getting a handle on the cycle of procrastination in your life.
Identify the tasks needed to be done: The best thing to do is write down your tasks, even if they seem simple. A vision is the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be and that's what you want to happen with your tasks... you want to see them completed. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." So, if you want to move forward, write down your tasks. Use old fashion paper and pencil. I know iPads and iPhones make things a lot easier, but this is different. You need to see your tasks and feel them. Write your tasks over and over, if you have to, but if that tablet is with you and you check off what you've completed, then you would have conquered a big chunk of what caused your procrastination.
Target one task at a time until completion. Don't multitask because this will cause anxiety and stress, and you'll be back in your habit or pattern of excuses; looking for something easier or enjoyable to do. Stick to your tasks. Stay focused and be in the now; be aware; it keeps you alert, and use a timer if you think that will help.
Don't over prioritize. Be honest with yourself and your love ones. If you need help, let others, such as co-workers, family and friends know what they can do to help. Be specific with tasks which are handed out to others so you don't fall into redundancy and have to go behind them and redo the task.
Do your best and don't give up. Your vision is for an appointed time and since it took time to develop this habit of procrastination, it will take time to develop a new habit of meeting your goals and seeing your vision through. Work steps 1-3 until it becomes a habit. Just as the word of God says in Isaiah 28:10, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little", in other words, be patient...it takes time.

Getting through the tasks is the goal. The steps above will help you get a handle on your procrastination, but don't over analyze it or try to be perfect. Just provide yourself some structure so you can accomplish and complete your tasks. You'll soon be on your way to achieving your goals, working your vision and living a purpose filled life. Good luck!

Sound Of Worship-Snippet by thepottershouse

Bishop T. D. Jakes and Lady Serita at Woman Thou Art Loosed 2012 Conference

Be blessed by the sound of worship above!