TRY
Hi, my name is Erica (Hi, Erica).
I am a recovering perfectionist, overthinking, procrastinator (POP for short).
Do I have any fellow POPs with me today?
If you aren't one, you probably know someone who is.
How do you know?
Well, I can tell you what some of my POP symptoms are; perhaps these sound familiar:
Make lists and get stuck in research mode
Ask everyone else for their opinion
Think of the worst-case scenarios and avoid doing anything
Make the project or idea too enormous and difficult and avoid doing the work because it feels too daunting
Create unreasonable expectations for perfection for things I want to try but have never done before and, therefore don't try said things
Compare myself to other people who are doing things I am drawn to or want to try and convince myself that there is no need for me even to attempt it since they are doing it so well
Fantasize about doing the things, beat myself up for not doing said things, but still don't do them
Doesn't that all sound fun?
Not really.
It's actually super annoying for me to reread those bullet points, as a matter of fact.
So, get ready for some sassy honesty.
I'm not here to rationalize our POPness by explaining that, deep down, we are just trying to stay safe.
That isn't helping us anymore.
I'm here to give us some tough love and scream from the rooftops so everyone can hear me:
STOP THE &^%”$* POPPING!
Seriously, knock it off.
Just try it, for God's sake!
For God’s sake. Like, literally.
Why are we so afraid of doing something that God designed us to do? Silly, right?
What's something good that could happen if you tried?
I know; you might really have a great time and feel pride and joy instead of shame and fear.
Or maybe, just maybe, you'll have some open space in your brain by not whining about the fact you aren't doing it all the time (ouch).
Think of all the free time you will have!
Time, my friend, is flying by, and gosh darn it, we can't waste one more freaking second spinning in stupid circles!
Yikes, that was harsh. But I needed to hear it straight today.
Here's what we are going to do as we continue to recover from our POPedness
WE ARE GOING TO TRY
Thank God for giving us the desires of His heart and the skills and drive to do what He designed us to do, and Trusting that He will be with us every step of the way, strengthening and guiding us. We aren't in this alone.
Recognize that Resistance is a good sign. We don't feel that same resistance when we want to stay in the same dead-end job, eat a row of cookies, or binge another show. We only feel that fearful pushback when we want to try something new or different, which makes us afraid and vulnerable. Embrace the fear and know that you're probably on the right track if you are scared.
Say Yes. If God is tapping you to do something, just say yes and look for ways to begin. If your house is a mess and you've been beating yourself up to clean it, just start doing something! Just one thing. If you want a new job, be open to the dream and ask for help. Just say yes to trying something!
So, let me reintroduce myself.
Hi, I'm Erica (Hi, Erica) and I am a TRYer.
And you are?
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 23: 1-6
The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;Your rod and your staff comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely, your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Hebrews 10:39
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.