Eric

You can’t manage time…

Time Management is one of those things people spend lots of time trying to figure out. The reality though is that the clock keeps going regardless of your efforts. The only thing you can manage is yourself and how you use or invest the hours of your day.

Here are some tips for using your days wisely:
time management

Take a break

Surprisingly, you get more done if you’re rested and refreshed. Spend an appropriate amount of time sleeping, in recreation, and in activities that develop your mind and capacity.

Think priorities

What is most important to you? If you focus on this first, you’re more likely to accomplish that. If you are unfocused, time will fill up, but likely not with the most important things.

Make decisions

Lingering over decisions will slow progress, sometimes needlessly. I’m not suggesting adopting a reckless posture, but there comes a time when decisions need to be made. At that point, make it and move on.

Take notes

I have heard it said that the dullest pencil is better than the sharpest mind for permanent recall. I carry a notebook with me almost everywhere I go. I also use EverNote as a tool on my phone so I’m rarely without some capacity to keep up with things discussed in a meeting. I’ve found that taking notes makes meetings much more productive. It also reduces the likelihood of needing to revisit things repeatedly.

Involve others

This also makes the work fun. Delegation and teamwork will enable you to accomplish more with your time.

What else?

Any other insights you’ve found for getting more done?

A Father’s Sacrifice

I would imagine most people have heard about the Mark Burnett mini-series, The Bible, which started last night on the History Channel and will air for the next five weeks, through Easter. My church is using segments from this as sermon illustrations to go alongside the preaching this whole month.

Yesterday’s segment was from the Genesis 22 passage which describes God’s test of Abraham’s commitment by asking him to lay his son on the altar. I was in tears as I watched the agony on his face, knowing that I couldn’t imagine the pain of losing my own child at my own hands. My children are probably the most precious things in my life and I would give anything for their protection. Of course, watching or reading it now, we know what God has in mind and that He will provide a different sacrifice. Yet still the emotions are strong as we watch Abraham prepare to obey.

As the moment passed and I thank God for providing an alternative, and for not calling me to the same test, I suddenly realize that the ram caught in the briers was just the first, and only a temporary, alternative. Thousands of years later, God provided a permanent sacrifice when He lovingly, though I’m sure painfully, gave His Son. Not just for me, but for all of us.

I’m looking forward to watching this mini-series and being reminded over and over again how God has orchestrated history to show His love to His people. It is His-story, after all!

Three Phrases for Leaders

As a leader, your people need a lot from you. Three things they need to hear regularly:

  1. “I’m sorry” – You make mistakes and that’s okay; we all do. But do you own them? Do you admit when you made the wrong call or didn’t handle a situation in the way that best serves them? Being willing to admit your own error creates a culture of trust and gives your team room to be honest when they do the same.
  2. “Thank you” – Your team serves you and probably does things all the time on your behalf. When was the last time you said “Thank you”? Do it for the little things and the big things. A few years back, my team encouraged me that I was good at this but that it would help them if we took a little time in between busy seasons to celebrate the win as a team. I would say thank you and immediately move on to something else. Take time to really give sincere appreciation.
  3. “You’re awesome” – #2 focuses on what someone does or has done, but you also need to celebrate who they are. I’ve found that people need to be recognized for both. If it’s only about what they do, they may get so caught up in doing that they don’t realize their own boundaries and work themselves to a pulp. Celebrating them for who they are, not just for what they do, will also encourage them to develop their skills beyond their current position, rather than focusing on their current to-do list only.
What’s on your list of top phrases? Do these help?