When I finished school and started working full time, the running joke was always “say goodbye to summers!” But what I’ve learned over the years is that while you may not get the whole summer off, there is still an expectation to use the summer for vacations and all the projects you’ve been putting off.
In fact, if there are any children in your life, summer is the only time you’ll get to take a vacation!
Have you ever seen an episode of Seinfeld? Or the better question is, do you know who George Costanza is?
He’s a quirky character that, in one episode, gets a severance package that will last him for three months (like a summer). And he decides to use these months for good! “I’m gonna read a book, from beginning to end, in that order. I’m going to learn to play frolf, the combination of frisbee and golf. I shall taste the fruits and feel the juices drip down my chin! I declare this the Summer of George!”
But the remainder of the episode simply shows him just sitting around, waiting to start. Until an unlikely injury happens and his “Summer of George” comes to a screeching halt.
The point of me mentioning this is that the operating trend is to make big plans and then realize we aren’t “really” ready to act on them. We aren’t really willing to put in the work to get the outcome we want. We say the words, set the goal, but never act.
What have we ever said that we would do “if we just had the time?” Or “when we go on vacation, I’ll do ____?” Or have you ever put something off until what seems like the stars align?
Here’s what I’ve learned from my clients and my own experiences over the years: It takes energy to get the thing done. Not motivation. Energy. You have to want it and be willing to stand up and get it done. Be a little uncomfortable. Don’t do just whatever sounds good. Set the goal and then work for it.
And honestly, summer is sometimes the best time to get going. Looking at our summer and all the vacations and time before us, we can see what we really want to be working on or towards. If you have a vacation coming up or if you’ve decided to take some time off this summer, what is it that you plan to do with that time? It can be very telling of where you should be putting your attention when you make your goals later. If you’ve had on your list forever to update the family photo albums yet that never once occurs to you when planning your time off, maybe that needs to move to the bottom of your list, or maybe even off your list for now.
If your vacation plan consists only of naps and sunshine, how can you be incorporating that into your routine more frequently (don’t wait to rest only on a vacation)?
My sister recently sent me a quote “decide what kind of life you really want… and then say no to everything that isn’t that.”
That takes energy. Sometimes I can be tired just thinking about it. But the best part of this whole thing….once you start, it becomes much easier each and every time. The first time you convince yourself to use what little energy you have left to do 20 squats or to clean off the counters before bed or to pick up your Bible after a great loss will be the hardest. But once it’s done and you physically have the memory of it not being as challenging as you thought, the easier it will be the next day… and the next… and the next.
I love this verse from Micah 6, “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Those are all actions. He calls us to act, to love and to walk. They all require something from us. And sometimes, it’s the hardest thing we’ll ever have to do. But the rewards are many. I encourage you to act. To stand and act, in whatever way the Lord is calling.
What is something you “really” want that you haven’t been able or willing to put in the work for? How can you create a successful “Summer of George”? Let’s get started on the right foot and narrow down what’s really important to you, then stand up and act!
Go in grace and God bless,
Colleen
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