Would Your Future Self Slap Your Present Self?

Women have to wear many hats, often at the same time. By day I’m a mommy, homemaker, caretaker, cook, chauffeur, and teacher. By night I’m a pharm tech and wife. In-between times I’m an accountant, blogger, and student. Let’s not forget working out, spending time with the one who created the blueprint of this life I’m building (GOD), staying in touch with friends and family, date nights, need I go on? Creating the life of our dreams doesn’t happen while we sleep, ladies. And, it won’t fall into our laps either. We decide what we want and go after it with all our might. 5 years from now we won’t say, “I’m so glad I watched all 10 seasons of Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and Real Housewives of wherever.” We’ll sit back and think of where we could have been of we had been diligent about planning for the life we wanted to live.

Now, I know this sounds like a whole heck of a lot. And, some of you might be thinking you can’t have it all. Well, I like to believe that you can have it all….just not at the same time. So, while you’re focusing on some things, others have to be put on the back burner. However, the things you put up front should line up with your goals. It doesn’t make sense to put working out on the back burner and your goal is to lose weight and get in shape. If you’re honest with yourself, there are a lot of things on the front burner that need to be slid to the back or eliminated altogether. For me, it’s the enormous amount of time I spend on Facebook instead of take care of my house/working out/engaging my daughter, etc. Or, the extra long chats I have with friends while my kid watches 8 episodes of Dora and Bubble Guppies. This doesn’t line up with my goal of being a phenomenal wife and mom. Some days it’s okay to say, “You know what? I choose to neglect the laundry, wear my pajamas all day, Skype with friends and family for 5 hours, take a long nap, and order pizza for dinner.” In fact, we should probably do that at least twice a month. But, when I’m not intentional about my day, I end up doing that waaaay too often. Then,before you know it, it’s 5 o’clock, my husband walks through the door of what looks like a war zone, neither my kid or I have brushed our teeth, and I have no idea where the time went. Be intentional about how you spend your time.

Last week, my husband and I decided to be intentional with our time. We don’t leave things up to chance and risk them not getting done. I’ve eliminated computer time drastically  and the TV usually doesn’t come on at all.. I don’t talk to friends while my kiddo is awake (unless it’s a quick 5-15 min. call). And, I multi-task. Clothes are washing while I’m sweeping and mopping, kiddo is reading a book aloud to me while I fold the laundry, etc. I blog when she’s napping, after I’ve set her up with an activity, or when everyone’s asleep (like now). My husband and I read our Bibles first thing in the morning (because we know we won’t if we put it off until this hour called later that never comes). Your day won’t look like mine because it’s likely our schedules and priorities are different, . The point is, whatever ideal life you have floating around in your head, your day-to-day actions should be taking you toward your goal(s) NOT away from them.

A wise person once said,

“A year from now you’ll wish you had started today.”

I’ve had many a year from now and trust me, I’ve always regretted not starting, not changing, not forgiving, not ending it…and being in the same spot I was in a year ago.

Building your legacy is not easy. It requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but you will never regret doing the things that mattered. And, raising loving & respectful children matters. Creating a breath-taking life with your husband matters. Following your dreams matters. Living for God matters. Being debt free matters. Being in good shape so you can play and run with your kids and grand-kids matters.

I want you to reach your goals and I’d love to pray for you. What kind of life are you building? What needs to move forward and what needs to be put on the backburner? 

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With Love,