Write it Down
In this rat race of a life that we live, it can be difficult and almost impossible to focus on one single thing at a time. It seems like there is always something to do, somewhere to go, or something coming up in the near future. From our waking moments, it seems that there is a looming message: Go, go, go! If we are not careful and intentional, our daily routines can be sabotaged and hijacked by the business of our schedules.
One of the greatest lessons that I have learned over the past few seasons of life is this: If it is important, write it down. Then, put it where you will see it throughout the day. There are so many benefits to writing things down on paper or notecards. Whether it is a goal, dream, or something that you want to prioritize, writing it down will make a mental and physical connection as you put your pen to paper and write it down. Then take the paper and put it somewhere that you will be able to see it several times a day. Seeing your goals, dreams, or priorities several times a day will allow your mind to stay focused on them throughout the day. Seeing them every day allows you to be reminded and engaged every day.
The old saying, ‘Out of sight, out of mind,’ is the exact opposite of writing it down. Writing something down and intentionally placing it to be seen leads to action and results. Occasionally thinking about something and forgetting about it leads to inaction and no results. When you do not have reminders, you will tend to drift away from those things that you want to achieve or do. Without prompts or reminders, you can easily forget and lose focus on those things that you want to pursue.
Vision boards, pictures, spreadsheets, and strategic game plans are all good ways to keep your goals in front of you. I have several reminders in various places that I use on a daily basis. Every morning, as I get ready for work, I have several notecards in my bathroom cabinet that have reminders, priorities, and things to pray about listed on them. As I brush my teeth and groom my beard, I am reminded of things that I want to focus on, improve on, and pray for. In my car, I have a notecard that I look at before I get out of my car and go into my house to be with my family, after I arrive home from work. The notecard has reminders to engage, interact, do, and be as a father and husband each night as we spend time together. This reminder helps me to focus and check in rather than check out when I go home.
Someone once told me that, ‘the dullest pencil, is better than the sharpest mind.’ Writing something down will help ensure that you see it. While trying to remember something may result in you actually forgetting what it is, or what you intended to do. Taking time to write something out and put it where you will see it, will help you to recall, focus, engage and be more intentional about it and following through with it.
One other benefit to writing down your goals and things to work towards, is that it makes it very easy to track your personal progress. Seeing where you started and where you want to go allows you to see your progress and check where you currently stand.
What things do you need to write down and keep track of? How could actually taking the time and effort to write out some goals or things to focus on be of benefit to you?