Conquer the Time Obstacle

Don't be thrown by obstacles in your path; they happen. To follow the dreams and desires God put within you takes thought, prayer, and persistence. But be encouraged! Wisdom is available as you look for ways to conquer the obstacles you face. The apostle James says:

“If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” - James 1:5

Some obstacles are external (time, money, family responsibilities) and some are internal (the fear factor, ingrained messages, a sense of confusion). The next few blog posts will address both types of obstacles.

Today, let’s consider the most common boulder in our way: the problem of time.

Few of us have enough time to do everything we’re drawn to—BUT we do have enough time to do what God has planned for us. He knows what you are capable of, and what He has for you to do.

Here are SIX ESSENTIALS for finding the energy and time needed to kick-start your dream:

1. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF: As you look at the obstacle of not enough time, let me encourage you not to compare your schedule or energy or productivity against anyone else. You are unique in physical, emotional, and mental energy. Your circumstances and responsibilities are unique. All these areas, including your mental tapes and personality type, are factors in how much you can accomplish. If you compare yourself to another, it will drain your motivation.
2. CHERISH WHO YOU ARE: Accept who you are - God’s uniquely created and loved daughter. If needed, list the gifts, talents, special experiences, and other evidences of God’s hand in preparing you for this new path. Use this list to encourage yourself in the Lord.
3. CONSIDER WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: What specific steps do you need to take? In what order?
4. CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE: Daily, weekly, monthly. Where can you fit in the time needed to prepare or carry out your dream? What can you eliminate to make time for a class, an online course, participating in a project that touches your heart or preparing facts and figures?
5. CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITIES: Give yourself permission to change priorities with different seasons of life. If God is calling you toward something new, what might have to go? Pray for insight into possibly reshaping a long-standing (but not divinely ordained!) schedule or assumptions about what you should be doing. (For more help, work through Ch. 9-10 in I’m Too Young to Be This Old.)
6. COUNT PROGRESS IN SMALL STEPS. To accomplish four small steps in a week is progress! Waiting until you have large chunks of time can be self-defeating.

Let's Talk: What can you do today or this week? Write it down. List all the steps needed. Schedule it. Do it! I’d love to hear how you are conquering the time obstacle as you dare to DREAM. (If you are an email subscriber and want to comment on the actual post, click here to visit the blog and leave a comment.)

This post is part of my Daring to DREAM series. Click here to view all the posts in this series.

Tweetables:"Here are 6 essentials from @Choose2Grow for finding the energy and time needed to kick-start your dream: http://wp.me/p2JdPr-Ry #DareToDREAM" - Click here to tweet this."To follow the dreams and desires God put within you takes thought, prayer, and persistence. http://wp.me/p2JdPr-Ry #DaretoDREAM @Choose2Grow" - Click here to tweet this.Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive! Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.