Getting to Done

Getting to Done

by Jan Powell

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)

 

Before my family moved to Florida, we lived on Long Island. Each summer we traveled to see my grandparents in Virginia.  My mother recounted that one of our longest trips began when we turned the corner of our street, and my sister asked, “Are we almost there?”

Many of us have echoed that question after beginning a long project. Excitement and inspiration disintegrates before a blank screen. We lament, “Will I ever finish?”

Recently, a series of home repairs derailed my writing. After my dryer died, the new appliances incited an extensive remodel. Tree maintenance during storm season took far longer than expected. Mold-infested walls exacted twice the time and triple the cost I had planned.

Delays and demands for time and energy elsewhere plague our writing. But completion is possible. When detours end, use these tips to get back on track.

Be single minded with your goal in sight.

Eva Marie Everson, president of Word Weavers International, reminds us, “You either win or learn.” Don’t give up. Choose to learn. On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). You, too, can finish.

We are all better together.

Hebrews exhorts us “Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves so that we can encourage each other” (Hebrews 10:25).  Seek help. Offer others support and encouragement. Set goals together and keep each other accountable.

Have role models.

Find good examples in your writing friends. Emulate their commitment, pursuit of excellence, and perseverance. Focus on completing your God given assignment. You can do it.

Remember Paul’s words. Aim to do the same. Finish that writing project.

 

Lord, give us your grace and strength to finish. Amen.

 

 

Jan Powell, a graduate of the University of South Florida has two small businesses. Through Writing with You, she offers writing services: editing, rewriting, coaching and ghost writing for fiction and non-fiction. She loves to help polish manuscripts for others. She has been published in The Wordsmith Journal and Splickety.