Cindy Rushton

Category: Organization

  • Don’t Settle! GO BIG!

    Happy Friday!

    This morning I was looking at my calendar from last year. I remember going into 2019 with a Word from God that 2019 was a year of change. Change at the end of the year that would look nothing like the beginning of the year. Did He come through? Yes!

    Not just for me, but for so many of you as well. I don’t think that He is done!

    As I prayed for this New Year, I felt that He was telling me that this year would be a year of vision. I mean grasping on to the vision and making it OURS. Living the vision that has long been on our hearts. Seeing things that we set on the shelf for far too long. Speaking the vision that was impressed upon us a long, long time ago. Getting new, fresh visions and running with them.

    This means that this year is a year to GO BIG!  Not settling for less. Not settling for little. Not settling for little things. This means that we don’t even settle for our last big successes, even if that success was world-changing and history making.

    My friends, we are in a season that demands that we leave behind all self-imposed lids and limitations. In this season, we expose and leave all of the lies behind. This season demands that we refuse to settle for anything less than everything that Christ Jesus died to give us.

    As Christians, we have the power of the entire God-head that has come to dwell within us.

    Think for a moment about what that means!

    The God Who created the whole vast universe. The God Who created and knows every single atom. The God Who was there at the beginning and will be there at the end. The all-powerful, all-knowing God.

    He chose to dwell inside of us – to tabernacle with us during our journey. He chose to make a way for us to not only have personal victory over sin and death, but to have the power and authority direct from Him to take that out to our world in our every day. That power is placed within us to enable us to live lives that are victorious in all things, moving forward at all times taking back all of the territory the enemy has stolen from the Kingdom of God, ruling as a child of the King, subduing and taking dominion of this world.

    It’s time!

    It’s time to rise up! It’s time to focus on the mark we are to run to. It’s time to cast aside everything that distracts, hinders, and holds back from running the race victoriously. It’s time to step up to the call! Its time to be life-changers, history-makers! It’s time for BIG! Get the vision! Get 2020 clear vision!

    Let’s do it!

    With much love,

    Cindy

    PS. Are you connected with our community? We are STEPPING UP TO THE CALL and you are invited to join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/SteppingUpToYourCall/

    PPS. Need to Jumpstart 2020? Up for the challenge?  It is NOT too late! Join the challenge here:

    http://ultimatechristiancommunicatorsconference.com/jump-start-2020-with-the-ultimate-31-day-challenge/ (Learn more here: https://youtu.be/4lKB4eRt83E)

    PPPS. Gearing up for some big surprises that you will not want to miss. Make sure you don’t miss even one email. Whitelist me!

    PPPPPPPPSsssss. Have an amazing weekend!

  • Let’s Get Intentional!

    Good morning sweet friends!

    Hope that your week is going GREAT!

    Today is a big day! We have a fun LIVE session planned tonight to launch our Jumpstart 2020 Challenge. Are you ready for big things? Stick with me and I will give you the details. For now, I want to share my heart….

    I love that we are doing this challenge this month. I have been super retrospect and introspective this week. It is probably partly because of the New Year and new decade. Of course, it is also probably because of prepping for this amazing challenge. I am taking massive action this week. It has demanded that I cut out some things. It has also demanded that I really watch my time and my things to do. It has required that I do some things that are not a part of my daily routine yet. In all, it has demanded that I simply be intentional.

    So, how about being intentional with me?

    Let’s get intentional!

    Grab a big cup of tea. Take out your calendar. What is there?

    If there is nothing, hold tight. 🙂

    For many of us, our calendar looks like our purses—full of things that we think we need, full of things that we keep just in case we need them, full of things we carry for others, full of things for the hubby, kids, or job, full of things that we forget, and at the bottom of everything, the things that we want and cannot forget.

    Look at every thing on the calendar. Go through it taking off everything that is not working toward your goals, resolutions, and life purpose. Definitely take off those things that you are doing just because you think you HAVE TO. Take off those things that no longer fit. Take off those things that are a burden and can be done in a much easier way.

    I know that this is so hard, however the goal is to be intentional about this new year. We cannot be truly intentional when we are distracted or when we crowd out the things that really matter to us. If you are super scared to be ruthless, put those things on a list. If there is room at the end of the day after everything else is done, then definitely pull them back out. If not, give yourself permission to let them go! Deal?

    The next thing is to go through the calendar and block out time for what really matters. Block out time to prepare for that (I prep the day before so I have NO excuses.). Block out time so you are not rushed.

    Now, sit back. Look at it. How does that calendar look to you? How does it feel?

    I am sure it is scary for some of you.

    I am sure it is exciting.

    I am sure it feels risky.

    I am sure it feels like “home.”

    Bottom line…I am sure it feels intentional.

    You are pioneering your life. No one has gone before you to pave the path. You only get to do it once. You only get one chance to do it well.

    Do it big.

    Do it purposeful.

    Do it intentional!

    By the way!

    We have a fun LIVE session planned tonight to launch our Jumpstart 2020 Challenge.

    Are you ready for big things?

    Don’t miss tonight. You can sign up for the challenge here:

    Jumpstart 2020

    If you want to join us for the session and just kick the tires a bit, here are the login/call-in details:

     

    You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

    When: Jan 9, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Topic: 31-Day Challenge

    Please click the link below to join the webinar:

    https://zoom.us/j/274215893

    Or iPhone one-tap :

    US: +16468769923,,274215893#or +16699006833,,274215893#

    Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

    US: +1 646 876 9923or +1 669 900 6833or +1 408 638 0968

    Webinar ID: 274 215 893

    International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/acyozUpROd

    Ready to do this?

    I AM! I can’t wait to SEE your sweet faces. Pull out the web cam. It is only ONE hour. One hour that can help Jumpstart your 2020!!

  • Let’s Get Intentional!

    Good morning sweet friends!

    Hope that your week is going GREAT!

    Today is a big day! We have a fun LIVE session planned tonight to launch our Jumpstart 2020 Challenge. Are you ready for big things? Stick with me and I will give you the details. For now, I want to share my heart….

    I love that we are doing this challenge this month. I have been super retrospect and introspective this week. It is probably partly because of the New Year and new decade. Of course, it is also probably because of prepping for this amazing challenge. I am taking massive action this week. It has demanded that I cut out some things. It has also demanded that I really watch my time and my things to do. It has required that I do some things that are not a part of my daily routine yet. In all, it has demanded that I simply be intentional.

    So, how about being intentional with me?

    Let’s get intentional!

    Grab a big cup of tea. Take out your calendar. What is there?

    If there is nothing, hold tight. 🙂

    For many of us, our calendar looks like our purses—full of things that we think we need, full of things that we keep just in case we need them, full of things we carry for others, full of things for the hubby, kids, or job, full of things that we forget, and at the bottom of everything, the things that we want and cannot forget.

    Look at every thing on the calendar. Go through it taking off everything that is not working toward your goals, resolutions, and life purpose. Definitely take off those things that you are doing just because you think you HAVE TO. Take off those things that no longer fit. Take off those things that are a burden and can be done in a much easier way.

    I know that this is so hard, however the goal is to be intentional about this new year. We cannot be truly intentional when we are distracted or when we crowd out the things that really matter to us. If you are super scared to be ruthless, put those things on a list. If there is room at the end of the day after everything else is done, then definitely pull them back out. If not, give yourself permission to let them go! Deal?

    The next thing is to go through the calendar and block out time for what really matters. Block out time to prepare for that (I prep the day before so I have NO excuses.). Block out time so you are not rushed.

    Now, sit back. Look at it. How does that calendar look to you? How does it feel?

    I am sure it is scary for some of you.

    I am sure it is exciting.

    I am sure it feels risky.

    I am sure it feels like “home.”

    Bottom line…I am sure it feels intentional.

    You are pioneering your life. No one has gone before you to pave the path. You only get to do it once. You only get one chance to do it well.

    Do it big.

    Do it purposeful.

    Do it intentional!

    By the way!

    We have a fun LIVE session planned tonight to launch our Jumpstart 2020 Challenge.

    Are you ready for big things?

    Don’t miss tonight. You can sign up for the challenge here:

    Jumpstart 2020

    If you want to join us for the session and just kick the tires a bit, here are the login/call-in details:

     

    You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

    When: Jan 9, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Topic: 31-Day Challenge

    Please click the link below to join the webinar:

    https://zoom.us/j/274215893

    Or iPhone one-tap :

    US: +16468769923,,274215893#or +16699006833,,274215893#

    Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

    US: +1 646 876 9923or +1 669 900 6833or +1 408 638 0968

    Webinar ID: 274 215 893

    International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/acyozUpROd

    Ready to do this?

    I AM! I can’t wait to SEE your sweet faces. Pull out the web cam. It is only ONE hour. One hour that can help Jumpstart your 2020!!

  • Psst! A Secret to Scheduling Success! by Cindy Rushton

    Cindy2015Want to know one of my biggest secrets to homeschooling the easy way? Want to know one of my biggest secrets to scheduling success? This one secret can make your daily schedule finally fit. It can end your scheduling frustrations forever.

    I am not a “schedule by the minute” type of person. (GRIN)  I fail with schedules like that. They don’t meet my needs. My life includes too many areas that have different needs daily. Timed schedules just do not work for me.

    So, what has worked for me? Setting up a framework to my day. This is one incredibly powerful tip. It can make a HUGE difference in your day as well. It just might be the secret that has alluded you through the years.

    Wondering what I mean by a “framework” for your day? By framework, I mean a general flow to each day that includes all of the areas of my life that I juggle. But, how do I do that? Here are some quick tips:

    1. Decide what should be included in your daily schedule.     Look at what you are all about. Look at your goals, activities, values, priorities. Look at your husband’s schedule–wrap everything around him. Look at what you need to include in your day to get everything done–quiet times, lessons, homemaking, read alouds, work, etc. This is important. Otherwise, you will include things in your schedule that may not be the very best choices. And…one big risk…you may never get around to the things that matter the most. Decide what really needs to be a part of each and every day for your day to be successful.

    2. Decide the best time for the tasks you need to complete each day. This will help you get a good flow to your day. For me, quiet times are just best at the beginning of the day. Chores are great right after them–I need them completed so my brain can focus on the table time.  Our business work and errands need to be done in the early afternoon. Read alouds are best before bedtime.  You get the picture. When I tried to read aloud over lunch, we had so many distractions that we could never fit it in. Trying to work the business in the morning would never work…and of course, we couldn’t take care of business errands at night. See how important it is to really look at the best time to get tasks done. Look at the best time for all of the tasks that need to be done. Look at the best flow to get everything done easily each day. You may not get this right at the beginning, but you will get closer and closer each day. You will love it!

    3. Balance your day.     Don’t let any one area of your life get out of balance. Everything that we do in our day has a tendency to grow into a big time thief–homeschooling, homemaking, home business. Those important aspects of our life can easily grow out of their boundaries. While I love each of them, they can get rather exhausting if we don’t keep them in balance with the other things that we have to do. The best way for me to stay balanced is to be reasonable about what I expect for each day, keep things simplified and easy, and keep everything inside of its time of the day. I don’t mind those days that we want to dig deeper in a topic that we are studying. I also don’t mind those days that we tackle a messy room. I don’t even mind those days that we have a special business project that needs more time. But, if those areas were demanding extra time every day, it would be easy to get burned-out, frustrated and battle with our time each day. Want to make it work? Find a balance for your day.

    4. Set up routines.     Talk about a HUGE help for me. Without routines, things can get so frustrating every day–there are constant decisions, there is more strife in the family, there is no consistency. Routines help us to make things go faster, without the strife and struggle of figuring things out DAILY. Routines reduce the stress of making decisions daily. Routines help our children to know what to expect so they can move through all of the things that they need to do each day. Routines are crucial. They assure a smooth ride. They keep us on track. They keep us out of the ruts. They take us in the direction that we want to go. One of the toughest things I ever did was develop routines in my home. However, one of the most rewarding things that I ever did was develop routines in my home. When I got very, very sick, everything kept going. During those times that I have been stretched, things kept on going. All because of routines. Set up routines. Then, your children will know what to expect. They will learn what is next and next and next. The decisions will be made for you. They will be able to “just do it” with or without you. Set up routines for your family. Develop one set of routines at a time–look for the time of day that things go haywire. If it is morning, for example, look at all that needs to be done. Brainstorm. Make a to-do list for that routine. Write it out. Work it as a checklist until it becomes a habit. If you see other things that need to be added into that set of routines, add them. Tweak it until it is smooth. Then, move to the next troublespot. Do this for all of the times of your day. Watch to see how much it helps!

    5. Prune anything that is not necessary. Truth is, we cannot do everything. What we do in our day keeps us from doing other things. It zaps our time, energy, strength. We need to be picky about what we add to our day. Every single thing that we do costs us something. We need to constantly prune those things that are not necessary. Prune anything that hinders, distracts. Be honest. Be ruthless. Prune. Even the good things! Go for the best!

    6. Take the squeeze out of your schedule. Watch out for the squeeze in your schedule. Don’t fill every minute of your day with something to do. Why? Because there are always going to be crisis situations, interruptions, melt-downs, delays. If we have our schedule maxed out, we will constantly be overwhelmed, overworked, and squeezed. Find ways to take the squeeze out of your daily schedule–cut out extra running, watch out for time thieves, prioritize your daily to-do’s (and eliminate any that make the day too tight), cut out extras that are unnecessary, keep the day simple and easy. Keep a relaxed atmosphere. Constantly, take the squeeze out of your daily schedule.

    7. Stay flexible! Stay adaptable! Actually, one of the reasons that we really want to develop a framework to our day is so we have more flexibility, so we have more “space” in our day to be adaptable. We want to be able to seize opportunities that come our way. We want to be able to slow down and enjoy our children. We don’t want to miss teachable moments. These days just go by too fast. We want to enjoy every second. We want to make sweet, sweet memories. This requires that we stay flexible and adaptable. So, take the time to develop your own framework to your day. Do the tough work. Get your plans together. Work on these suggestions. Then, stay flexible. Stay adaptable. Grasp on to all that God has in store for you!

    Need MORE Help?

    Check out Cindy’s New Organized Mom Super Set! It is full of great ebooks and audios that will help take you by the hand and plan the best homeschool year ever!

  • Unplug! by Cindy Rushton

    Cindy2015We just got back from a fabulous trip to Italy. Ok, soak this in…VENICE! Oh! YEAH!

    On this trip, I was able to check off three, yes three, of my biggies on “My Bucket List.” It was a spectacular trip! And, it was more than just the trip or the place, God was speaking to my heart the whole way. In fact, He is still teaching me lessons from Italy and we have been home a week! 🙂 Just today, He taught me another lesson as I opened my laptop! REALLY! Well, stick with me….

    Before I left for Italy, I was on stress overload. I was hoping that Italy would be my “catch-up” time. Well, OBVIOUSLY I had never travelled abroad, much less to Italy. Ha! Italy was perfect for my stress overload. I was forced to getaway, refresh, renew, unplug, and make sweet memories. It was incredible. In fact, I am forever changed from my trip to Italy–more on that in a bit. (more…)

  • Quick Tips For the Perpetually Late, Disorganized, Stressed Out Mom! By Cindy Rushton

    Cindy2015Does this SPEAK to you? Nothing is more frustrating than great intentions but failure with the time management, organization, and gentle spirit thing! So, what can REALLY help? Need a bit of hope? Practical ideas? Well, beloved, here are a few tips that have made a world of difference for me:

    –> Be sure to slow down and have a quiet time EACH DAY! Take time for God to fill YOUR cup each day. Let Him give you HIS peace, order, and best of all, schedule! Take time to hear HIS plans for your day. Throughout the day, listen to His gentle direction. Be sure that you are willing to let go of the things that God wants to prune away. Without this, all else is only a band-aid!

    –> Invest in a Planner! I am the world’s worst at trying to do it all while trying desperately to remember those incredible details that are doomed to slip my brain! I decided to take a long, honest look at the things that were creating chaos. Most often, the biggest culprit was overcommitment or an underestimate of time involved with commitments. Writing down ALL commitments, along with an honest look at the time commitment involved (even going and coming OR planning the details around that commitment!), has made an indescribable impact on my life! Not to mention, another breeder of chaos in my life was constantly looking for information that needed to be in a dependable place like phone numbers, ordering information, etc. Keeping ONE binder with my information included eliminates the chaos, but it does even more! It gives my brain a rest!

    –> Evaluate to find the BEST that God has designed for YOU to do! Sure, there are many “little things” that must be done to manage our homes, but if you are really struggling with balance, discipline yourself to write down everything that you are doing for a little while. Pray over the importance of each and every thing. Time is so very precious. God gives us everything that we need to do all that He has designed for us to do, but He will not anoint those things that will choke out His best for our lives. So, really pray through…think through…weigh out everything. Listen to God for HIS goals for you. Prune those things that are not in line with His goals for you. Get rid of any time wasters. Prioritize every activity, every day! Combine activities that can be done together to make the most of time. Delegate those things that others can do to help you be a good steward of your time. Then, make the most of your time doing the very best things that God has designed for you to do!

    –> Write IT down! Yep! Give your brain a break! This may seem to compound your problem, but trust me this will help more than you know! It is NOT another thing to do! Rather, once things are written down, the work is done FOR you! For example, keeping a calendar of events in your planner will help to alleviate conflicts in your schedule. Blocking off plenty of time for each entry will help you to give yourself enough margin left over for LIFE! I may live less than five miles from downtown, but if there is an appointment there, I KNOW to give myself 30 minutes to get there! Also, I cannot tell you how much my lists from years ago are beginning to really help me! I have lists for school lessons, shopping, traveling, producing the magazines, speaking, etc. I may have to add to my generic list, but I cannot tell you how many times my lists have helped me to be sure that NOTHING was left out or forgotten. Plus, now the planning process is simplified. I just pull out my list, go over the list, add anything that is missing, and get busy! Several of my lists are typed into my computer, ready to print. Talk about EASY planning! Find ways that you can simplify what you are doing—writing it down will probably be one of your first steps too!

    –> Keep your STUFF ready to use! Whether your planner or your purse or even your Bible/journal for church, get things together and in their special spot, ready to go. I have a tote that includes all of the things that I need for Church. I keep it together, ready to go. Our school books stay in a milk crate (one for each child), ready to use at the table or to grab for our trips with the business. Everything that we need is ready at all times. My planner stays at my chair, ready to grab to leave the house. So on. Decide on what you need for planning, church, homeschooling, or your business. Get everything together. Find its very best spot for it to be easy to use, but not in the way or forgotten. You will be surprised at how much stress this will alleviate!

    –> Put limits on your day! For years, I battled the different aspects of my day that tend to become monsters! Funny thing, I have never seen my family life ever become one of those monsters. My sweetheart and my children are so much more patient than my nasty kitchen! Memories will always wait for schoolwork to be completed. Laughter will always let the business monster rant and rage! The best (but most difficult) lesson of my life to date was that if I wanted the legacy that God had planned for me, then I had to diligently guard the different aspects of life. I had to consciously purpose to make memories and build relationships with those I love much, much more than a clean house or thriving business or successful homeschool. A whole day can zoom by just on the internet with the business…or working through our lessons…or even re-organizing a closet. Plus, those things wear me down till I am completely zapped! Oh, and then, I am not the nicest person on earth! (ouch—confessions hurt!) While these things are precious and wonderful in their boundaries, I have to CONSTANTLY place limits to insure that we have a balanced life that makes the most of each day AND builds a legacy.

    Need MORE Help?

    Check out Cindy’s New Organized Mom Super Set! It is full of great ebooks and audios that will help take you by the hand and plan the best homeschool year ever!

  • Quick Tips For the Perpetually Late, Disorganized, Stressed Out Mom! By Cindy Rushton

    Quick Tips For the Perpetually Late, Disorganized, Stressed Out Mom! By Cindy Rushton

    Cindy2015Does this SPEAK to you?  Nothing is more frustrating than great intentions but failure with the time management, organization, and gentle spirit thing!  So, what can REALLY help? Need a bit of hope?  Practical ideas? Well, beloved, here are a few tips that have made a world of difference for me:

    –>    Be sure to slow down and have a quiet time EACH DAY! Take time for God to fill YOUR cup each day. Let Him give you HIS peace, order, and best of all, schedule!  Take time to hear HIS plans for your day.  Throughout the day, listen to His gentle direction.  Be sure that you are willing to let go of the things that God wants to prune away. Without this, all else is only a band-aid!

    –>    Invest in a Planner! I am the world’s worst at trying to do it all while trying desperately to remember those incredible details that are doomed to slip my brain! I decided to take a long, honest look at the things that were creating chaos. Most often, the biggest culprit was overcommitment or an underestimate of time involved with commitments. Writing down ALL commitments, along with an honest look at the time commitment involved (more…)

  • Reach for Your Dreams THIS YEAR!

    Reach for Your Dreams THIS YEAR!

    Cindy2015Hello Sweet Friends!

    How is your Saturday going? It is STUNNING here in North Alabama. Elisabeth and I got away for a breakfast out this morning. Matthew called to let me know that he had finished his 10K first place in his age division. And, my hubby just called to let me know how well he did shooting with his buddies today. Now, I am covered up with napping puppies and snagging a few moments on the computer. I like it! (more…)

  • Help! I Need to Get Things Done! by Cindy Rushton

    Help! I Need to Get Things Done! by Cindy Rushton

    Cindy2015Struggling to get things done? Struggling with all of the distractions? Too busy to finish any of those great projects? Boy, do I relate!

    I am an “idea” machine! If I had a dollar for every idea that floats through my mind, I would have an instant business! 🙂 Feel my pain?

    Yes, if you are here on this site, you probably have those ideas. Need is an action plan to make them a reality? Here are some things that help me…

    1. Brain Dump!

    Are you thinking, “But, Cindy, the last thing that I need is a list of MORE ideas!” Brain dumping does bring out more ideas, but it is essential for productivity.

    I set aside regular time to grab a notebook (or my iPad–LOVE IT!) and just dump my ideas that are floating around my brain. It helps me to have categories so I KNOW that I will find those ideas later. Once I set up a “spot” to keep my ideas, I can clear my brain.

    Without brain dumping, my brain gets soooo full and distracted that I cannot focus on ANYTHING. I think it is because I am so afraid that I will forget those great ideas. 🙂 Well, it is not just that. I am also tempted to dig into some of them because they are so much more fun than the work at hand.

    Relate? Why not brain dump? It will settle that deluge of ideas!

    Then, what? That brings me to the next thing…

     

    http://www.cindysdesktop.com/images/clutter-planner.jpg

    2. Get a plan.

    When I find myself overwhelmed and needing to re-motivate and re-charge, I pull back for a getaway with God to get my plan. Someone wrote that if we do not plan, then we are really planning to fail. I SEE THAT! At the times that I have found myself struggling to get things done because of all of the distractions and busyness of life, nothing has helped  me more to get back rolling strong like getting away with God to get His perspective and His plan. Talk about a great way to simplify, prune, and get back on track!

    Maybe today you are battling with getting things done, why not pull back and get a plan? Take some time away. Take everything to the Lord in prayer. Be still before Him. Stay until you can hear His Word for you and your business. Lay down all of the options before Him. Let Him loose to move on your heart which things should be first, which things should be simplified, and which things should be pruned away all completely. He will be faithful to help you get back on track!

    3. Attack!

    Yes, attack! But, not just attack with the new project on your heart, before you dig into that, attack a few other things:

    –> Attack procrastination–You can have a clear mind and super plan, yet be stuck. Been there? Oh! I have! In fact, I was there just last week. I had everything ready to roll and everything that I needed to get things done, but I was stuck. I was paralyzed. What do you do then? Well, I had to get honest. I was procrastinating. Procrastination is my biggest enemy to productivity. Once I saw it for what it is, I could attack procrastination and get back going strong. Want to be productive? Attack procrastination!

    –> Attack clutter--Oh Yeah! Nothing distracts me more than clutter. And, clutter seems to have a magnetic attraction to me. Yes, the “stuff” clutter, the “things to do” clutter, the “life” clutter. It all follows me around like a puppy dog. Of course, it is not cuddly and sweet like a puppy dog, it drives me crazy! I won’t even know what is gnawing at me until I pull back and take a look around me. It can be the piles from projects that I am working on. It can be a never-ending to-do list. It can be things in my life that are past their time. It can even be my purse! Whatever “my clutter” is, I have to SEE IT and then ATTACK it! When I do, I am stunned at how much more I get done. Plus, I LOVE my life. Let the clutter build up and things bog down, life gets unmanageable, and I get tired and weary. Does clutter LOVE you too? Why not attack it?

    –> Attack disorganization--Periodically, I will find myself in my default state-completely disorganized and MESSY! YES! Probably 20% of my books and workshops are on the topic of organization, but I still battle this one! I can assure you that I will never BE THERE when it comes to organization. However, I have learned how to manage the messies. Want the secret? Well, you read it–you have to ATTACK disorganization. Maybe it is cleaning out. Maybe it is setting up a place for everything and putting everything in its place. Maybe it is revamping your schedule to work for this season of life. Maybe it is getting all of your to-do’s and ideas organized in one spot. Maybe it is setting up systems or routines for those rocky areas of life or business. Take the time to get organized. It will make a HUGE difference. You can’t just do a little at a time. Instead, dig in and attack disorganization. You will then be ready to roll!

    Ready to get things done?

    Today is the day! Don’t let today slip by! Today is the day to pull back for a bit and get things ready to make those dreams your reality–your life! Take that time. Don’t stay in the struggle. Don’t let the days slip by. Let’s press past the distractions and the busyness. Let’s get laser sharp vision. Let’s press toward the mark!

    “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” Philippians 3:12-16, THE MESSAGE

    Cindy2015Need MORE Help?

    If you need more help, don’t miss any of Cindy Rushton’s LIVE workshops that she will be teaching on these topics. She is scheduled to speak for many conventions, conferences, retreats, and Bible Studies. If you want for her to come to your area, message here today at CindyRushton@Gmail.com

  • Spring Clean Your Commitments with Cindy Rushton

    Cindy2015Hello Sweet Friend!

    What does your calendar look like? Is it just too busy? Want to change things, but have no idea what COULD go? Is it time to prune?

    There is something about spring that requires that we cut out the extras and gear up the things that really matter. If we don’t, there are ramifications. We get…

    Tired
    Weary
    Stressed out
    Pushed to our limits
    Pulled in too many directions
    Edgy
    Snippy
    Irritable
    OK…angry and downright bitter.

    Relate?

    It is time to spring clean our commitments. It is time to look at all that we have on our calendar and really evaluate:

    Is it necessary?
    Is it essential?
    Is it stressing us out?
    Is it pushing and pulling?
    Is it worth it?
    Is it the very best…or just another GOOD thing?

    It is far too easy to just get in our ruts and let things go. You know the end result–a year that is a bit disappointing. A year filled with regrets. A year that doesn’t seem to count.

    My sweet friend, 2010 is a year that we get a new beginning. TODAY is a new beginning. Why not join me “spring cleaning” yet another area of our lives this week–our commitments. Let’s roll up our sleeves and dig into the messies. Let’s pull everything out and really look at all of our commitments. Let’s evaluate, prune, organize, clean out and clean up. We can do it together. Then, we can reach for a year that really counts!

    Ready? Let’s dig in…

    Too Much In A Day…

    Yep! This is one of my greatest struggles.  I am one of those people who hopelessly plan too much into my life.  I want to DO IT ALL!  And, the sad thing is that I try to!   Recently, one of my personal studies has been (don’t laugh!), “How to Manage My Time.” Why? Well, because I want to eliminate any possible hindrance so I can do MORE!! Hehe! I know motives may not necessarily be great here. Actually, they may signal a blaring warning that tells you that this is one area that I personally struggle with RIGHT NOW. True, but I have to share some of what I am finding (and applying) in my study. Who knows? It may help you to tame your schedule so you can busy doing the things that God has called you to do too!

    For one thing, it really helps to sit down and really look at your day.  What DOES get done in a typical day?  I have found that I do get a lot done in a day. I will never be accused of being idle. In fact, I am writing this article while my husband runs errands (see the next section of this article about that!). I really do seize every moment I can. But, at the end of most days, I still have the same complaint, “I need MORE hours in my day!”

    We are only alotted 24 hours a day. One prayer request that we can be sure WON’T be answered is the request for 85 hours in a day! Why? Because it would still not be enough for people like me!  So, how do we make more hours in our day?

    Make that list of what IS being done in a day. Make another list of what you would REALLY like to see included that you are not getting around to. See if what you are doing and if what you would like to do fits into what God has placed  on your heart as your priorities. Make sure that they help you to reach toward the “mark.”  For me, when we began homeschooling I struggled for a while with distractions and hindrances that are so common in a busy home. After, well, a whole year (I am very slow on some things!) the Lord showed me the value in looking over my typical day to see how I could fit in the things that were most important and those little things that are always going to pop up.  I found that there were categories that most everything could fit into: Quiet Times, Chores, Table Time, Family Time, Productive Free Time, Ministry/Business, and Family Read Alouds.  Actually this is the basic order for my day every day (well, now the kids are both graduated and out of the nest–so that time is now set aside for getting fit/healthy and even more  business/ministry). It is possible at home. It is possible on the road. It is possible when we have company. It is possible when things go a bit hay-wire!  These are the priorities for the day, but there are still things even with ME that never seem to get done unless they are part of the schedule for the day.

    For example, this past summer, my doctor prescribed that I go to the Wellness Center for exercise daily.  I had wanted more time to actually get around to exercising. But, it just seemed that if I had another 55 hours in my day that then I could have time to devote to exercise! Instead of asking for the impossible while neglecting such an important area of my life, I opted to fit this time into my daily schedule FIRST each day. It is amazing how much better everything else is running. Not only do I feel better, but I also have more energy and focus. Plus, my conscience is clear instead of being plagued with guilt, condemnation, and frustration. Yes. Make your list and see what you are doing AND not doing.

    Making a List,  Checking it Twice  (or FIFTEEN TIMES!!)…

    I made my list. Then, it was easier to see the holes in my life that were not being filled. Sure, I was accomplishing a lot with my children, our ministry, and even my marriage relationship. But, there were still glaring holes beaming out at me and plaguing me with guilt and condemnation! Yes, I wanted to exercise. I have stacks of wonderful audio tapes that I would love to hear. I want more time to sit back and relax, even if it is occasionally! I wanted more time to make memories with the children.  Of course, I also wanted to be more productive.  Those are the things that seem to give me the “feeling” that I am not accomplishing as much in my day as I really wanted.  Of course, I was accomplishing the “work” in each day. On many days that was ALL that was accomplished. No wonder there was a feeling of frustration! We are geared to do more than just work day-in-day-out. So, what to do?

    Look At Your Typical Day…

    First, I had to take an honest look at all those things that were included in a typical day. Many were right down the line with the vision God has placed in my heart. Yet, there were still things that God had placed on my heart that were not ever making it into my days. Plus, there were other things that were very questionable. I had to look at every single thing in my day to really evaluate them all…

    –>  Were there things that could be combined so I could accomplish more tasks at one time?

    –>  Were there things that can be delegated to others so I could have more time for things that only I could do?

    –>  Were there things that simply needed to go? Were they past their season? Did they need to be eliminated because they were really not that essential to what we were about?

    I am not saying that I was doing anything bad. I don’t think that is how the enemy typically hits some of us. Think about it. If you were given a temptation to do something downright wrong, would it really be a temptation to you? The way that the enemy prefers to hit gals like you and me is through the GOOD THINGS. You know–those things that no one else will or can do at church. Those little things that have “sweet” motives. Those little things that don’t look too hard, but end up zapping us. You know them. Just evaluating them has helped me sooo much. Everything that we do cost us in our two greatest commodities:

    TIME
    ENERGY

    We have to make sure that what we are doing really matters. If we don’t, we will just stay busy, busy, busy. We will stay on the go. At the end, whether it is this year or at the end of our lives, we will look back with regrets.

    I don’t want that. I know that today it is tough to let go of “our babies” whether they are activities or positions or systems that we have had in place for years or methods we have been using successfully or commitments. However, it is sooo worth it. Let’s evaluate every single thing we do, every single thing on our calendars and be ready to let go of anything that hinders or distracts us. It is sooo worth the hard work.

    Combine Tasks…

    Yep! This may help you too. See if there can be things that can be combined.  For me, exercise and listening to those teaching tapes get two things done. Neither fit into my schedule before because I felt that exercise was just frivolous (looking at this body OBVIOUSLY shows I was not right!). Listening to my teaching tapes seemed to always not fit in—I had to concentrate when I write or answer email, my family did not really appreciate hearing my tapes, and there was really no time other than that! However, fitting them together is the perfect answer! That 30 minutes a day is life-giving.  It makes the other 23 hours and 30 minutes a whole lot better!

    There were many other adjustments and changes. Not too easy, but definitely helpful! Things like cooking in the crockpot overnight so we are at home while it is cooking, but not having to stand over a stove during the day…going through the mail as we walk back from the mailbox and dumping the junk-mail into the trash before we walk in the house (our can is right outside the door!) rather than do a big clean-out during the year…   Doing more things at one time really helps to use the time I have to the fullest!

    Delegate!  OUCH!

    Delegate! Yep! Talk about another toughie for me! I have worked on this one year-after-year for two decades. I suspect that this one will always need a conscientious effort by me. It is too easy for me to jump in and try to do it all.

    The first time I ever delegated stands out in my mind as a turning point for me.  My children were 7 and 4 at the time. We were living in our camper in Selma, AL while Harold was in the State Trooper Academy there. Living in the camper was probably one of my most life-changing experiences because I learned how much of my life at that time was “fluff” and wasted.  Living in the camper forced me to only have my most essential belongings with me. (still have not unpacked many of the boxes we had stored away—now way over 15 years ago!!!) We made more memories than ever. Each day we had plenty of time for me to just mother, keep my home, homeschool, and even play games at the end of the day!  Life was simple. Homemaking was easy. I made easy meals. Cleanup of the whole camper was usually 5-10 minutes or at most 25 minutes (big change from my 10-12 hour cleaning days before!)!  The hardest part was the small space and taking laundry OUT to the laundrymat every few days.  The good part was that in Selma the laundrymat was AT THE POOL! The children could play and I could enjoy watching over them while I read, did laundry AND tanned! (had the best tan and read more that 6 months than ever in my life!) However, in the midst of this EASIER life there were STILL struggles!

    How could it be? Well, I could clean up, but while I was cleaning my children were idle—arguing (yep, these PERFECT children were acting like other children!), messing up the other side of the room (EEK!), and dirtying up their clothes (EVERY DAY!).

    One day in particular, a Monday (Could I find a better word to give you a “picture” of this scene?) to be completely accurate, I had so much pressing in that day. I was standing at my 1 ft X 1ft X 4inch deep sink (it still felt like Mt. Everest!) full of dishes.  The children were behind me just finishing their breakfast.  And, they had the audacity to begin fussing over WHO could watch their movie (and WE homeschool!). The quarreling was getting ON MY NERVES—the really touchy ones!  There I was…washing dishes…the laundry was there needing for me to fold it…the toilets needed cleaning…we needed to begin our lessons for the day…my husband was gone for another week at the academy, leaving me with my PERFECT little morons, I mean children, lambs, beloved little ones…and here they were ARGUING! I snapped. I admit it! I simply snapped. I told them, actually screamed at them, to stop arguing and just fold those clothes if they had that much energy. Still washing my dishes…silence permeated the room for several minutes until giggly-giggles took over. I turned around to find that almost ALL of the laundry was folded and they were LIKING IT! Tears filled my eyes. The Lord spoke to my heart. I did not have to do it all myself! MY children COULD help me!

    Oh yea! And so can your children!  What CAN be delegated?  Anything! Everything, well, there are a few things that only YOU can do. Find them and delegate the rest! Oh, it may not immediately be the same standard that you do things yourself, but who looks in the dresser anyway?  (only sick people we should never try to please, if you ask me!)  Plus, think of how valuable it is for children to learn from an early age to pitch in and be a “part” of the family.  So, take a look at your list of things that YOU are doing each day. Look at what can be delegated. Then, delegate to your little ones!

    Eliminate!!

    Finally, go back to your trusty list. What can be eliminated? This is where you may experience anxiety.  But, really look at all you do in a day. Are those things really important? Can they be done in another way that can give you more time? Let me take you home with me again. I love to have healthy, homemade meals. But, reality says that if I want to save time, this was one of those areas that really could be simplified down so much that much of the time spent in the kitchen on a daily basis could actually be eliminated. Gasping? Well, so did I–at first!

    I took an honest look at our meals. We could eliminate so much that I could gain HOURS each week. How? Well, I decided to do more bulk cooking, buy more “ready-made” meals, like Lasagna from Sam’s, Baked Chicken (heat and serve) from Sam’s, Pizza (yep, and my children LOVE it!), and even Heavenly Ham! Yep, Heavenly Ham (should be getting a percentage here, huh?).  What may seem like an extravagance is really a great way to save precious TIME and have great meals whether using the Ham as the meat for a meal or as sandwich meat. One big ham lasts our family for several weeks. In addition to tasting great and saving me time cooking and preparing the ham, we also cut at least an hour of cooking each day for lunch for those two weeks. All I have to do is add vegetables (we have a freezer full of vegetables from the garden that just have to be de-frosted and warmed!) and bread!  A typical meal can come together in 15-30 minutes!  We can also use food like the Heavenly Ham for lunch. We just make sandwiches and either eat just the sandwich or have a sandwich and homemade soup, that also can be made in a big pot!  Easy.  Saves time for other more important things in my schedule—like enjoying  the family I am feeding!!

    Now, you may not feel that cooking can be eliminated in your daily schedule. Each of our families are so very different. This is where only God can help you to decide what can be combined, delegated, eliminated OR done by you each day! Hear HIM and He is guaranteed not to fail you!

    Too Much Going…

    Hummm….well, here we get a little personal, huh?  This is an area that God RESTRICTED for me.  It was just not as clear-cut as DO, COMBINE, DELEGATE, OR ELIMINATE. Instead, my “going” has to be decided each and every day during my daily time with God.  Each instance must be thrown up on that altar for God to classify for us!

    What about you?  Do you struggle with all of the going? Does it get to be too much? What are we to do?

    Beloved, first slow  down!  Watch out for too much going!  Oh, it may not even be for “bad” stuff!  It just keeps us from having what we really want!  Think about it…

    Is this a hindrance for you?

    Let’s get a little more personal.  Do you go so much (even for good things) that you sometimes find that you cannot truly enjoy your home? When was the last time you had TIME to leisurely relax and enjoy your home? For me, this is a constant struggle. A daily struggle!   There are so many “to-do’s” that press in that I get too busy, going too many directions before I even know it!

    Testing…

    I have had a test for years that I periodically do to evaluate my lifestyle and schedule. I ask myself,

    –>  “Can I spend one entire week at home without feeling as though I am not getting to do all I need to do?” (Yep, I am squirming a bit here too!)

    –>  “Is my home supplied well enough that I can stay home without having to “run” to get more things that I “need” to cook, teach my children, manage my home?” (Gasp! EEK!)

    –>  “Is a quiet, peaceful homelife impossible because I am too busy going to activities?” (OUCH!)

    –>  “Are all those activities truly God’s will?” (Sniff, sniff!)

    –>  “Would all those same activities go on just as well without ME?” (Well, uh, how would I know if I am not there?)

    –>  “What CAN I eliminate to give us more time at home as a family?” (Ok…Ok!)

    –>  “Does my husband feel that all I am doing is essential? God’s will?” (Well, uh…)

    It is amazing how much CAN GO!  Just last week, Harold and I got a great big laugh when we both shared what had been on our hearts, at the same time! I had noticed that we were losing time with errands on almost a daily basis.  Oh, and almost the SAME errands every single day!  My reasons were simple, I wanted for to be a good steward of the money, not buying anything that could go to waste. But, as a result, our time was being wasted…gas going and coming was being wasted…I was not as prepared for each day as I could have been…and the atmosphere of our home was interrupted every day with “to-do’s.”

    This is not the only area that gets out of control easy at our home. Our schedule is just as wild!  I must manage our outside activities or very quickly we become THEIR servants!

    I know what you are saying. I say the same thing, “Oh! But This is GOOD!” Yep!

    We travel on a weekly basis throughout the whole year.  Because of this, as we decided to travel this much, we had to eliminate many GOOD things from our schedule.

    Naturally, I am just as much of a “clutter-bug” with our TIME as I am with books, papers, etc.  Loosening my grip on those GOOD THINGS is so, SO hard!   Yet, there is no way to truly do exactly what God has called us to do, except to prune! Oh, yea! That hard word!

    Cutting back.
    Slowing down.
    Getting back to the core.

    Keeping only what is bearing fruit, so all of the nutrients (energy) can go into bearing MORE fruit!  Truly, the person was “right on” who said that if satan can’t get us to do WRONG things, then he will keep us busy doing a lot of GOOD things which ultimately hinder us from doing God’s VERY BEST. That person must have been JUST like me!  What about you?

    Too busy “going” to BUILD your home, to be ALL THERE, to do what really matters, to do what COUNTS?

    Slow down.
    Slow down to enjoy your home.
    Slow down to make your home special, a fortress.

    It is time to SPRING CLEAN those commitments!

    But! How *DO* ya do it? ???

    Have no idea how to even begin? Have no idea what you genuinely could let go? Is it just too confusing? Afraid you or your family will miss something?

    –>  Go to God with your schedule. Place all activities on the altar. Wait on Him.  I promise that God will lead you, direct you and teach you. He will not leave you in the midst of confusion. He will come alongside of you and help you whether it is big or little choices that need to be made. Just take it all to Him and turn Him loose!

    –>  Share your heart with your husband. Let your husband set your schedule.  Husbands really do have a gift for seeing through activities. They can see straight through all of the sugar-coating all the way to a vision for how it will really look in our homes and how it will feel as we live it out. Through the years, Harold has had a keen eye for things that we SHOULD “go for” and for the things that were going to be a trap and get us off track. It is not always easy for me to follow, but when I dare to listen and follow, I am amazed at how much better things go. Get your sweetheart’s TRUE insights before adding anything into your schedule. Also, lay everything out today before him. Ask him what needs to go, what needs to stay, what is missing. You will LOVE the results!

    –>  Look over all of the activities very carefully, evaluating them honestly. Do they work toward the call that God has for your family? Are they necessary? Do they compete for “down-time” that your family really needs to fellowship, rest, and develop a lifestyle of learning?  Have you been in a rut, not getting things done, with no idea WHY? Let’s really look at everything with the “pruning sheers” in hand. Let’s be willing to let go of all of the good things so we can reach for the very best things, the things that COUNT!

    –>  Be on guard! Titus 2: 3-5 instructs the older women to teach the younger women several very important lessons. One in particular applies here– to be keepers of their homes. A keeper is a “guard” or “one entrusted to guard.” Godly women are called to be a guard over their homes. We must constantly guard our home. This is more than just a fun “spring cleaning” that we MIGHT want to do, rather it is essential that we come back to a place regularly where we check to see how we are doing, where we reinforce “the gates” and repair any breaches. We must constantly evaluate whether our homes are in conformity with the vision God has given us for our family.  We must constantly check our “gardens” and uproot any weeds or overgrown plants that hinder the growth of our most precious “plants,” our children! We have to constantly make sure to have time with God, time with our husbands, time with our children, time within our homes, time to minister to those within our sphere of influence, and time left so we can take care of ourselves!  We have to be ALL THERE ALL OF THE TIME! That means that this is not an extra–when-we-get-around-to-it option. This is an essential. We need to set aside time to make sure that everything we do really counts. We need to be on guard against those things that have a way of easing into our lives to our detriment.

    Sweet friends, what does it look like? Are there things that need to go? Are there things that are very good, but they are keeping you from the very best? Today, roll up your sleeves and dare to spring clean. Dig in and really do that hard work. It is SO worth it! Choose those commitments that are the very best and let go of all of the rest–even the good stuff.

    The Bible says that there are works set from the foundation of the world.  There are thing that really count–and things that do not count. Be faithful in YOUR works!

    Seek God’s wisdom for your commitments–EVEN your lifestyle and schedule.  Don’t let the enemy distract you by what is “out there” somewhere else. Stick to the main thing–that thing that cannot be taken away from you.

    Don’t feel guilty about letting great things go.   Do ALL you can to preserve that home atmosphere from ALL distractions that are out there. Don’t get too busy to build your home for truly you have much to look forward to—just look at Proverbs 24: 3-4:

    “Through skillful and godly wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], and by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24: 3-4

    Ah, yes! Build your home! As you do, you will move forward, making this year really count! Roll up those sleeves. Dig in and do the hard work. Let’s get busy spring cleaning our commitments!

    This post was excerpted from this week’s Time for Tea Ezine. The weekly ezine is available for FREE by subscription. Don’t forget to sign up today so you don’t miss even ONE issue! Scroll up on this page and look on the right sidebar to sign up. See ya there!