Learning what throws us off…

I wrote earlier about what I call “one behavior theory”. How one single task has the ability to kickstart your mornings and helps have a good day.

But what about those things that throw you off?

I totally had one this morning. I burned gasoline, time, and mental energy driving around town this morning after an errand. Let me tell you the story of my mistakes….

I had a great morning. Woke up, hit my scripture reading plan, journaled, fought the constant battle of staying off social media in the morning. Avoided all the mindless work I distract myself with. Got showered and dressed and headed out the door at a decent time with the mental energy for the tasks I knew I had ahead of me.

Then I made a run to the pharmacy. And I was hungry. I knew I wanted coffee as well. And a place to write and brainstorm for a couple of hours. So after picking up my prescription, I ended up driving like 5 places I could have stopped and got breakfast.

But all of the good things were diverted.

I had a multitude of things running through my head. No place could give me both good coffee and a good working space. That place is too expensive. This place isn’t nearly healthy enough. I don’t want to spend money…or I shouldn’t even be spending money. I have a perfect office at the house, why not go home and do it there?

All the things.

This could have been avoided with one decision earlier today.

I could have made breakfast at home. It would have hit all the pressure points. Healthy…check. Cheap…check. Let me go straight to my coffee/writing space…check.

So I made a mental note.

Eat breakfast at the house.

First. As part of the morning routine that is absolutely sacred.

You see, this decision is about realizing how we can set ourselves up for what we want and need to do, or how we can settle into patterns of reaction and unintentionally for the rest of the day. And it might seem like a little bit of mindless frustration, but I think we should never discount the power of a couple of hours of highly focused work, especially when it is deeply part of our core identity. Denying that space means denying our creation and unique imago dei. Call me crazy, but I think vocational clarity is a necessary part of sanctification. Imagine how this sort of thing can give us the clarity of call to avoid daily sliding into purposelessness. Instead, making a few intentional adjustments makes a big affect on our day.

So a simple bowl of oatmeal with a few favorite ingredients could have made a really big difference today.

What one thing has the ability to divert you right now?