What is it that you really want to do?
What are you currently working on?
What idea, interest, or dream has been pushed to the side—placed on hold or quietly sitting on
the shelf?
And if it’s still there… what’s the hold-up?
These are questions I’ve asked myself more than once, and I’m willing to bet you’ve wrestled
with them somewhere along your life’s journey too.
This morning, after finishing my prayers and daily devotions—my quiet time with God—while
still walking through the grieving process and missing my dad, I found myself reflecting on my
next steps.
“Where do I go from here?”
Ironically, that was also the title of the last sermon my father preached before he passed.
Last evening, I spent nearly three hours on the phone with a sister-friend—one of those rare
people who is insightful, wise, funny, honest, and trustworthy. She’s the kind of friend who can be a sounding board for ideas, a shoulder to cry on, and someone who will tell you the truth—even when it stings—because she sees the best in you and reminds you of the purpose
God has placed inside your life.
Out of that conversation—and my season of reflection—here are a few principles I’m intentionally implementing as I grow, mature, and become a better version of myself by establishing Boundaries, Order, Structure, and Systems – in other words, becoming a better B.O.S.S. of my own life.
PRIORITIZE
Create order out of your chaos.
Start by identifying what truly matters. Ask yourself:
- What is important right now?
- What is actually needed?
- What can I release, delegate, or discard?
As you sort through those questions, keep your overall purpose and desired outcome in mind. Clarity about your goal makes it easier to decide what deserves your time—and what doesn’t.
Prioritizing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most—first.
PLAN
Once you’ve identified what matters, you can begin to map out how to move forward.
Develop a strategy. Think through:
- What steps are required?
- Who or what resources are needed?
- What timeline is realistic?
There is safety in wise counsel, so don’t hesitate to share your ideas with someone you trust—someone who is honest, discerning, and invested in your growth.
Why plan?
Planning creates accountability. It helps you steward your resources—your time, energy, relationships, finances, and tools—so they contribute meaningfully toward your goal. It also
provides a way to measure progress and evaluate what’s working.
And here’s a gentle reminder: Don’t pressure yourself to rush. Sometimes you need space to think, process, and allow ideas to
breathe.
Count the cost—not just financially, but emotionally, physically, and mentally. Your time, talent, and capacity matter just as much as your budget.
PREPARE
Give yourself time to prepare… even for the preparation.
Planning identifies what needs to happen. Preparation gathers what’s needed to make it happen.
Think of it like preparing for a trip or hosting a meal. You don’t just decide—you gather
supplies, organize details, and put things in place.
- Assemble your tools
- Identify your resources
- Categorize what’s needed
- Create checklists
- Establish order
Why prepare?
Preparation reduces errors, prevents rework, and saves time. When you’re prepared, you move with confidence instead of chaos. Stress decreases because you’re not scrambling—you’re ready.
You can plan all day long, but without preparation, you’re still not positioned to execute. Planning is the blueprint. Preparation is the build-out.
PURSUE
Now it’s time to move.
Once you’ve prioritized, planned, and prepared, you can actively pursue your goal—whatever that dream, assignment, or calling may be.
Every meaningful pursuit requires effort, and sometimes it will feel heavy. But when your work is connected to your passion and purpose, it won’t drain you the same way empty obligations do.
Why pursue?
Passion fuels perseverance. It gives you determination, creativity, and the resilience to keep going—even when the journey gets tough.
A Final Thought
Nothing ever unfolds perfectly. There will be glitches, delays, obstacles, and unexpected detours.
But those moments are not wasted.
They stretch you.
They mature you.
They teach perseverance and endurance.
They expose patterns, mindsets, and habits that need refining.
They invite creativity and fresh thinking.
Most importantly, they train you to stay focused while moving toward the life and purpose you’re called to pursue.
So if you find yourself in a season of reflection—pause without quitting.
Create order.
Make a plan.
Prepare well.
And then, with faith and courage… pursue.
Because sometimes the next step isn’t about doing something brand new.
It’s about finally moving forward with what’s already placed in your heart.
The Bible encourages diligent planning and preparation as wise stewardship (Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 24:27) but emphasizes that God ultimately directs the outcome, requiring humility and reliance on Him (“If the Lord wills,” James 4:15). Key themes include wise foresight (like the ant storing food), counting the cost before starting a project (Luke 14:28), and spiritual readiness (Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25)
KEEP SHINING!
Robin
Inspire. Hope. Shine!
