This morning I am filled with all sorts of stuff that needs my attention – problem after problem.  Nothing urgent; no emergencies, but a lot to get done, and not enough time to do it.  Where to begin?  I feel a little overwhelmed.

I’ve been in this position before.  Actually, many times.  Truthfully, most every day!  How have I handled it?  I say a prayer, think it through, pack up my problems in a bag, and do what’s most important first.

There are ants getting in through our bedroom window.  That’s important.  I’ll make that a priority.  I need to write today’s blog – very important – I’m doing that right now.  This is the last day to buy paint for the painters coming tomorrow.  Yup.  Gotta do it.  I need to lose 10 pounds – that’s always the situation, so I will pray for help from God, and eat less, and get out and go for a vigorous hour walk… to the paint store!  I know I have some homework to finish for a meeting tonight – but after all of the above, I am surely going to be tired, so I need to rest before I do that work.  My desk has a few piles, too, that I’ve accumulated.  Oh God!  What a pain that is, and oh how it takes so much time! God… what shall I do?  The answer is to go through a quarter of it today, and for the next three days.

Do you see what I did in that last paragraph?  Here are my solutions:

1 – Start with a prayer.  Acknowledge God in everything.  Remember how God has helped me in the past, and know that He will help again this time.

2 – List the problem.  Write it down if possible.
3 – Analyze the problem’s importance.
4 – Prioritize.  Do what is immediately important.
5 – Combine it with other things if possible.
6 – Break major tasks into little ones that can easily be accomplished.  Small actions add up over time.
7 — Take time for rest.  If you’re exhausted, there’s no time or energy to get much done.
8 – Pray again and again.

What are YOUR problems?  What do you need to do?  Please share them with me and our community of friends by posting below.