Category: Creative Vulcan

Put it in park to refill the tank

This morning, I was praying with a couple of guys and talking about my plans for the day.

SIDEBAR: for anyone who doesn’t have one or two people that you can chart the course of life with, in addition to your spouse, I highly recommend it. Life’s more fun in the context of relationship.

Because Sunday is a workday for me, Monday is my “Sabbath”, a day I intend to rest, get refreshed and energized for the week ahead. Honestly, though, I often fill this day with errands, catchup projects around the house, or even work related items. I just do this at a lower pace than my regular workdays. That’s what your “day off” is for, right?

Well, maybe not, since God specifically commanded us to “keep the Sabbath holy”.

Consider yourself like a car with multiple gears…

you have to put it in park to refuelAs we were praying, God brought to my mind the image of a gear shift in a manual transmission. The image suggested that most days, I’m running in fourth or fifth gear. When I just “slow down” on my day off, I might be shifting into first or second. Sometimes I might be very intentional about not doing any work. Even then, the momentum of yesterday and what I’m thinking about for the week keeps me in a work oriented flow. I’m basically shifting into neutral (but I’m still rolling :).

I think to really refuel though, you have to shift into park. You can’t be half moving, letting your mind consider projects that you will be picking up again tomorrow. You need rest!

That may mean shutting off the phone or laptop, getting away from your house to a refreshing place, scheduling time with a friend, or planning a special family outing.

For those of us who spend life in overdrive, this can be hard to do, but it’s worth it. A few years back, I sat down and made a list of things that refresh me. When I know I need time like this, I refer to the list and make it happen.

What do you do?

What do you do to refuel or recharge? When was the last time you put it completely in park to really refuel? Make time to “Sharpen the Saw”, as Stephen Covey encourages here.

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!