Nick-of-Time Is My Nicotine
If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute.
I was bemoaning to one my mentors about my lack of planning, and I said to him in frustration, "Man, doing things in the nick of time is like my nicotine."
It's a problem!
As I search for appropriate examples from my own life that exemplify that “nick-of-time is my nicotine,” my whole life seems to come to mind. Here’s what I mean. I don’t plan in advance. I don’t usually feel the need for it.
Those around me probably have a different experience. (Ok, so it’s not probably, it’s definitely.)
Last Monday, I was starting to plan this week’s 2-day youth camp at our church. My daughter wanted to help me plan the group activities (she LOVES games), and I told her that I rarely plan one event until the last one is done. So even though we were ten days away from the youth camp, I hadn’t started planning it.
Hello, my name is Dave, and I procrastinate. (thankfully, my team of coaches doesn't - see the Save the Date below)
Here’s the problem. When you’re great at adlibbing, you can pull off not planning or planning last minute. In 1994, while I was in college, my class piano teacher said, “Dave, your ear is too good.” She said this because I hadn’t submitted myself to the discipline of sight reading, but could play back something if I heard it first.
I’ve been playing life by ear ever since.
I have led meetings I didn’t know I was supposed to be leading until the “leader” handed the meeting over to me. Usually, nobody had any idea. I read the room, knew my stuff, and stayed calm under pressure.
Half of you are shaking your head in disgust, and the other half are like…sounds about right.
This Fertilizer is for my fellow procrastinators, those who have made a habit of getting things done in the nick of time to the point that it’s as addictive as the nicotine in cigarettes.
If I’m honest, it has stunted my effectiveness, caused frustration, and held back those I serve with. The problem with our addiction is that it doesn’t allow the rest of my team to thrive.
But if you’re able to lead well and be responsive in the moment, you have the skills to plan. Just do it earlier.
If you can ad lib well. Just ad lib it sooner. Rather than in the moment, do it before.
How do you feel around a smoker who seems oblivious to how their clothes and hair reek? Do you wonder what other bad habits they have beyond smoking? Don't they wish they’d spend that $3000 a year on worthwhile things? (like a new guitar!)
What if others are wondering similar things about us who embrace a lifestyle of planning in the "nick of time" as our nicotine?
Will you join me in breaking the habit?
Ps. SAVE THE DATE! If you live in Central Pennsylvania, the next Worship Workshop will be October 18th from 9 AM to 2 PM at Mission Church in Lancaster. Same great deal of $149 for your whole team, including lunch. The theme is "Worship on Purpose." I can't wait to tell you about the excellent breakouts that are planned! https://www.adlibmusic.com/events
-Dave Helmuth
(purchase my book, "Worship Fertilizer: (the first hundred)" HERE)
Nick-of-Time Is My Nicotine (Nº 439)
