Live Carefully

or

3x5 Index Card Accountability

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity . . . ”
Ephesians 5:15, 16

My intentions are usually outstanding. My follow-up actions are not always so great. I need help being faithfully to put actions to my intentions. I want to live carefully.

Right now, in my shirt pocket, I have seven 3x5 index cards. In my pants pocket, I have 35 more cards in a wallet made for 3x5 cards. I am a big believer in 3x5 index card accountability.

I learned to use 3x5 index cards from my father-in-law. He was a university professor. He always had 3x5 cards and a pen in his shirt pocket. His were blank and he used them to take notes. He claimed he was always looking for something to write on, so he started carrying the cards.

I adopted his use of 3x5 index cards and modified it. My cards have stuff written on them.. I carry my cards for accountability. They remind me of the things I need to do. They remind me of the things that are important to me. I want to be faithful to act on my intentions.

The Seven Cards

The seven cards in my shirt pocket are:

1 – a to-do list for today

2 – a list of foods I am trying to eat this week. Its a checklist. On it are ten food I try to eat each day. I carry it with me so I can check off when I eat them.

3 – a list of nine activities I am trying to do every day. Again, I carry it with me so I can check off when I do each activity.

4 – a list of goals I am trying to accomplish in the next ten days. Today, I am on the fifth day. On the 10th , 20th, and 30th of each month, I list my major goals for the next ten day period. Some times I do it for each week. Some times I do it for each month. Right now, I am trying every ten days. I carry it with me so I can read it often. It helps me focus. It motivates me.

5 – a list of lifetime goals. This card gets pretty beat up, so I have to re-write it every couple of months. I could laminate it since my lifetime goals don't change very often. But I think its a good exercise to re-write them. It helps me think about them more. Again, I carry them so I can review them often during the day.

6 – a list of objectives to accomplish in the next 15 months aimed toward helping me achieve my lifetime goals. It could be 12 or 24 months. But I picked 15 months because I have will celebrate a major milestone birthday in 15 months.

7 – the last card is yesterday's to-do list. I wrote a couple of reminders on the back of it yesterday. I took care of them today, so I can throw it out tonight.

I have been known to carry more cards than that. If I have an important lunch, I write some talking points I can review. I don't want to forget anything. If I am going to the store, I would have a shopping list. I might carry 2 or 3 blank cards to take notes on.

I don't want to leave my actions to chance. If the LORD has asked me to do something, I want to be faithful to do it. I have tried using a day planner. I have tried “being led by the Holy Spirit.” I have found 3x5 index cards work best for me.

Some people tell me they don't need a calendar or day planner or any system, they just remember every thing. I have discovered that either:
1) they have a better memory than I do,
2) they actually do forget things, but won't admit it, or
3) they don't try to do very much, so it is easy for them to remember.

The 35 Cards

The 35 index cards in the pocket of my pants are part of my scripture memory program. They have verses written on them. About half of them I memorized years ago. I try to review them every couple of months so I don't forget them.

The other half are new verses I am learning and reviewing. Find more on the scripture memory process here:

Practical discipleship tips for memorizing scripture

There is nothing magical about the seven cards or the 35 cards. Some times I carry more. Some times less. It all depends on what I want to remember to be faithful to do.

I have wallets of cards that I use for petitioning God in prayer, for praising God, and for interceding with God for others.

I have a group of 3x5 index cards I use for workout exercises.

You may have found a method of accountability that works well for you. The people I mentor learn my 3x5 card system. I expect them to carry their scripture memory cards with them so we can review each other when we get together.

I have noticed they carry a list of talking points when they go to important meetings. I have seen them carry a list of questions when they meet with a boss or a doctor or a lawyer.

Practical Discipleship for you to do:

1. Decide something God wants you to do – my guess is He has given you several things you should do – Pick one. Write it down. Carry it with you. Post it or carry it where you can review it often.
2. Tell someone you are going to do it and when you are going to do it by.
3. Ask them to check to see if you did it.
4. Show them your card when you have done it. Explain to them how God helped you do it.

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