Do the Next Thing

I don’t think the phrase is original with her, but one of the most helpful quotes I’ve ever gotten from Elisabeth Elliot has been, “Do the next thing.” If I’m overwhelmed with everything there is to be done, there is only one thing I can do next… and that is the thing I need to focus on.

This morning I was skimming my mom’s book Shopping for Time by the GirlTalkers, and they quoted a poem with the same title. It reminded me of how important it is not to become overwhelmed with the seemingly insurmountable list of tasks that is always looming. Instead, I should take time to plan and to work my hardest on the thing that is right in front of me.

I’m really enjoying this in-between time I have right now. I purchased a new planner at the beginning of December (I love buying organizational tools ), and I am looking forward to charting out my priorities and goals for the coming semester. As I’ve written, some important things have gotten pushed aside, and I hope by God’s grace to be able to focus on the right priorities again.