In my room I have a whiteboard on the wall. On it I jot down my ongoing tasks and projects, sometimes giving them priority. When I'm sure I have completed something, I erase it from the board. It's simple, and it serves two purposes. One is that it's a reminder; another, that it presents an overview.

I also make use of a pocket calendar with enough space to write down tasks and appointments. Whenever I'm handed a task, the first thing I do is write it into the calendar so I won't forget later.

Take wise precautions

It isn't a bad idea to have a safety net to fall back on if something unexpected should happen. We cannot prepare for everything, since we cannot foresee everything. However, we can pray for guidance and answers for what we should be aware of. We can apply wisdom and use common sense in our daily lives. Some examples:

• If you have a memory stick with important information—make sure you have a recent backup somewhere. Many sticks are forgotten in computers, mislaid or accidentally pulled out while performing, resulting in data blockage. It can be a nuisance to have something lost and have to start all over again—if that even is possible.

• Have money reserved for "unexpected expenses." Something sooner or later is bound to come up. When it happens, you won't need to take out an expensive loan that can get you into more trouble.

Vertical thinking

• "Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established" (Proverbs 16:3). This implies praying to God. After all, you cannot accomplish much by yourself; but God can help you, if you ask Him.

• "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Accept that God may lead you down a different path than what you initially planned.

• The law of God is "…a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). His law describes how to avoid the pitfalls in life. It's God's recipe for happiness and success. In fact, if your plans are not in total agreement with God's law, it's a sure sign that you ought to change them. In that way you'll be truly successful, and God can establish your thoughts.

Plan for a living

A thing that separates Christians from others is that they recognize the true Provider—God Himself. You can read about it in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34). One of the messages is not to worry about one's life, clothing or food—basically everything God knows we need. However, that does not mean we shouldn't plan or that it won't take any effort on our part. Remember, "the lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing" (Proverbs 20:4).

The apostle Paul had worked as a tent maker while proclaiming the gospel, and Christ Himself was a carpenter. They planned ahead, as all craftsmen do; also their preaching and traveling required planning. In fact, all projects require some element of planning.

What's your plan?

Some plans are more decisive than others, and they require more than the odd minute of thought. One such plan is how to make your living. For some invaluable advice from the Vertical Thought archives about how to plan for your livelihood, be sure to read Planning Your Career. VT