Media Outreach

Ok, so we’ve talked about (in the two previous articles) the difference between what is urgent and what is important and how to help to make those things happen.  We have also talked about multitasking, focus and how to make an effective to do list.  Really all of this stuff comes out of the same heart and is in essence all connected.  I am just trying to run up the mountain from some different angles to get a good handle this and to have some practical take aways.  We are obviously all going to come up with the systems that work that best for us.  The challenge is in being diligent and even violent to keep those adopted principles in place.  I am sure for most of us this is a review, but out of sight out of mind.  Hopefully, it will at least provoke some honest feed back in our own hearts about where we really stand on this issue.  John Maxwell gives an example of an adjustment that gave him a whole additional year of productivity over a 10 year span.  I know I could use an extra year of work to be done how about you?

Here is a crack at paraphrasing Law 17 of John Maxwell’s “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” The Law of Priorities. For me, these have been life changing nuggets.

Regardless of how we want to think about staying busy, busyness does not equal productivity and activity does not necessarily produce accomplishment.  If you are not prioritizing, then you are not thinking ahead of where you currently are and this means that you also probably don’t have a handle on where you are in relation to your overall vision.  This can be a very scary realization.

We all know that the best things in life are fought for and are usually not obtained through walking on the easy path.  Prioritizing can cause you to do things that are uncomfortable and can be very painful, but it is necessary if we are to move forward.  One of the statements that really jumped out to me is that, “Prioritizing helps you to define reality”.  What do we call those detached from reality?  Insane.  Think about it.  The insane have a very difficult time coming to grips with the fact that they are extremely mentally ill.  We can’t do anything and be effective unless we have the clear honest picture of reality.  I have never thought about prioritizing this way, but I do now.

Maxwell also says that the top 20% (in importance) of your to do list, your goals or your core team are what you should give 80% of your time to, because it will give you the most return.

As any good article should have, here is the triad of alliteration: “The 3 R’s of Ordering Your Priorities:”

1. Requirement – Ask the question: “What can I do that no one can or should do for me?”
2. Return – Work in the areas of your greatest strength … get out of your comfort zone, but stay in your strength zone.  If it can be done 80% as well by someone else then delegate it.
3. Reward – Take time to do the things that you love.  Passion provides the fuel in your life to keep you going.

As always I pray that in some way this provides an honest self evaluation and adds life and efficiency to the church planting process.  And, of course remember to, “… walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Eph 5:15-16)

pic by gewhgill