How to feel productive with unpredictable schedules

Are you a list maker? I am! There is something that feels so productive about having a solid plan. Laying out the steps to success.

Lately, things have been different. My best-laid plans seldom come to fruition. I guess that is why Proverbs reminds us that “we may make our plans, but God has the last word”.

Society places too much emphasis on success, without considering what success might mean for the average person.

It is a useful tool to plan ahead because projects DO seem to have a better chance of completion when we have a solid strategy in place. Where, though, does our success lie in seasons of inability? In seasons of transition? In seasons of reflection?

Truth my friends, straight up.

While I still love planners, lists and every form of outlining goals… I’ve been in a very long season of unwanted, constrained pause. That came with some deep thinking and soul searching about what success means to me. What effects planning without completion was having on me…

What I’m learning from not planning ahead

As the months have ticked by, marking well past a year, the disappointment has mounted while goals sit gathering dust. My brain and body not getting on board to get stuff done.

No matter HOW much I was able to plan on paper? Very few things were getting checked off. That left me fretting with 3 F’s sitting on my shoulder, whispering in my ear.

Failure. Frustration. $@*$&%.

Nothing very productive about that, right? I realized my definition of success hinged upon accomplishment. Something needed to change, for my sanity and spirit.

Can you relate? Perhaps you homeschool and things just never. seem. to. catch. up. Or you work from home but the needs of the household interrupt your flow. Or your team isn’t headed in the direction you feel gets you to the goals. Or you live with chronic illness, and unpredictability is the only sure thing. Or you are a wife who feels like all her efforts just aren’t measuring up. Or a mom who thinks other people are doing a better job.

How to feel productive at home

I set out a few weeks ago to find a new way to gauge whether the day was a complete wash, or actually quite satisfying! As much as I adore planning, and will pick it up again when I am able, an old idea offered me a fresh start. Perhaps it will help you too…

When my children were young, and I was just starting homeschooling, it was hard. Delightful, but a whole new world to learn about.

When health and moving and teaching became overwhelming, an experienced friend suggested a simple idea that changed life in a huge way.

She helped me change my perspective! We tend to see things as good/bad. All/nothing. But life, success, progress, wonder, and joy are found in the middle. Stretched out between success and failure.

A bridge that allows us to find a comfortable place to see things differently, and take a few steps right or left to find a better balance.

The concept is SO simple

Pick up any spiral-bound notebook and a pen. For each day, keep a running ledger of everything you did. In the end, you’ll find that you probably did much more than you knew! I sure did.

That list helped me to see that I was teaching in ways I almost missed.

It helped me see my efforts with a sense of satisfaction. (Plus, did you know we expend a ton of mental energy stressing about the undone? Imagine using that same amount of time to be amazed by our moments! What WAS done.)

A change in perspective redefines success

The boundaries of our efforts often cross over with others, but we miss the pleasure of those accomplishments because we might not be looking for them with intent.

When I remembered this old story, I decided to try it again and see what I could learn. Instead of feeling like I was wasting my dreams, useless and a burden during this season of health challenge, I saw a gratifying perspective of my hours. 3 new words filled my heart, replacing the F-words.

Surprise. Contentment. Pride

This stone of discouragement around my neck (my beautiful planner) became a lovely, polished necklace of satisfaction.

A simplified planner in reverse. Written after the fact. The unplanned becomes the encouragement to embrace the surprise of tomorrow.

A planner can be a celebration of the done, instead of the frustration of the unfinished.

It reminded me of the value of a reverse bucket list.

Embrace a new definition of achievement

There is infinite value in goal setting and planning, of course! Yet, if you are in a season where that isn’t working out for you…for whatever reason…consider stepping back.

While it is true that my plans are all on hold, my days are no longer “wasted”. Sometimes we seek out margin, sometimes it is given to us in overabundance. While this isn’t a season I would “choose”, it IS one I have learned to be grateful for in unexpected ways.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Reassess your pursuits and embracing a new definition of achievement. The days will still move on, whether we feel we are successful or failures. But the choice of how we view our moments is entirely in our hands.

Let’s choose to find fulfillment in the progress instead of the perfection of our dreams.

If this resonated with you, you might love my free devotional, Grace for the Stuck: A 7-Day Invitation to Slow Down and Breathe.

It’s a simple, grace-filled guide to help you slow down, rest, and remember that even in the blur of ordinary days, your life holds deep meaning.

You can grab it free here.

P.S. This article from My Fruitful Home, as well as ideas of setting goals with illness by Grace Is Sufficient . While these are specific to chronic illness, I think you can change that out and fill in the blank with YOUR unique to you challenge ♥.