Morning Musing: Are You Bogged Down?

Do you ever feel bogged down? Maybe, like me, you’ve been feeling this recently. That feeling of not being able to make progress. Perhaps you’re bogged down right now. I have an answer that has helped me over and over again to get unstuck.

True Story Ahead

I’ve been pursuing my writing dreams. Okay, I’ve been pursuing some of my writing dreams. There is one dream where I’m bogged down. I’m not making progress on my book.

There always seems to be other things I’m supposed to be doing that take my time away from writing a book. It’s one of the most frustrating experiences in my life, well, my writing life that is.

Lately, I’ve been feeling tense, not just frustrated. This feeling is leaking into other areas of my life. This morning, I discovered something. I need to get unbogged! Yes, I did just make up another word.

It’s good to be honest with yourself. It’s good when God Himself is honest with us too. This morning I heard loud and clear, “Michelle, you are completely distracted! It’s time to get organized!”

So, there it is. I looked around my writing room and saw a mess, a good mess I think, but still a mess. I wondered what all of you would think about me if you saw my mess. Ouch!

I think you may think twice about reading anything I write. I think you may ask yourself, “If she can’t even keep her own mess cleaned up, how can I trust her to help me with my mess?” Okay, so that may be a metaphor, but I’m called to encourage and coach others in a few things. One thing I’ve learned, we coaches, we encouragers, we who are called to lead others in whatever manner, have to be living what we teach.

My Bogged-Down Mess

I have so many ideas on post-it notes, books scattered everywhere, all kinds of books. I have pens, pictures, and paper EVERYWHERE!
My creative process eventually tends to get me bogged down because of the physical mess it makes.

But I’ve been bogged down in other areas of my life before too, such as relationships, finances, and health. You name it, I’ve been bogged down with it.

Getting unbogged is going to take embracing both my creativity and my organizational skills. But it takes something else first.

Called To Action

First thing I did when I realized the main reason for my frustration leaking out into other things in my life was to repent. Yes, you read that right. I repented. I said I was sorry to God. He has an assignment for me and I’ve let so many things get in the way. And I’ve made a complete mess all around me.

Second, I turned on some praise music and started worshipping God. Yes, I did. My soul is lifted when I praise God. My heart, mind, and soul need to get in alignment with the One who calls me.

Third, I truly looked around my room and decided I’m going to clean this mess up this week. In fact, I have plans this Friday to take vacation. Guess what I’ll be doing? I probably should take a before and after picture so you can see me unbogging!

Begin Unbogging Today

We have to take one step today that helps us get unbogged. Whatever is bogging you down, take just one step to get unstuck and start making progress.

For my writing goal, this means taking some time to first organize my physical space. Next steps will be to create a strategic and sustainable writing plan for me. One day at a time, one word at a time. Every. Single. Day.

Friends, all we have is today. How are we going to help ourselves get unbogged? I’d love to hear if you’ve ever been bogged down and how you got unbogged. Who knows maybe a step you’ve taken could help me or someone else too.