3 Moves That Maximize Your Time | Doing More for Less

Guest article by Zach Clark

Jesus told us not to worry, for tomorrow will surely bring worries of its own. Yet as leaders, it can feel as though the only way we stay above water is by staying one step ahead.

More is constantly being expected for less. 

In a nation that seemingly values the art of business, more than ever before, people voice complaints over simply not being able to “get it all done.”

What I want to suggest to you today is the notion of evaluating our intentionality in order to be our best selves, focused on what truly deserves our attention in our respective ministries. 

Look 

Pumping gas in modern times is a breeze. Pumps’ sensors detect the moment at which to shut off so as to fill your tank to the brim without sending gas down the side of your vehicle. 

They recognize capacity, and then reach it.

Look ahead over the next ninety days. What does your calendar say for how you’re filling your face-to-face opportunities to capacity? 

Everyone has a capacity. You need to figure out what yours is and how you are filling it. Ask yourself, How much time should I be blocking off for speaking with people face-to-face? How much time is already set aside for such meetings? 

In doing so, you provide your time management with a checks and balances system leading to greater productivity. Knowing what you’re working with helps you to avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

Reorient back to the reality of how much time you actually have, and then fill it intentionally. 

Focus

Recognize what you can do, not what you’re working on.

For many, this is a flip from the comfortable way of thinking. A best practice would call it beginning with the end in mind. 

Where are you going? Once determined, a route is much easier and more practical to define. 

When we work in reverse, we become easily distracted. How can you know if you’ve met your goal if you’ve yet to define it?

Define

I believe in mission minded methods.

Define your goals so you can lead yourself and others to the finish line! 

I realize this is a broad statement, and therefore want to offer some doable action steps to implement TODAY for this step. 

• Limit your use of email to one hour per day. Challenging? Yes. Possible? Definitely. Delegate. Create templates. Do what you have to do. This developed discipline will free up energy you may not have realized you were relinquishing. It’s a game changer. 

• Block times for phone calls...and stick to it. This brings about a two-fold benefit: you no longer pick up the phone randomly to call; you have purposeful conversations because you’ve set a deadline of sorts. It also removes the distraction of your attention during hours when you’re needed to be focused and productive. 

• Schedule time for projects. Again, you’re giving yourself parameters in which to accomplish steps to reach eventual goals. 

• Check in with yourself weekly. I advise having Sunday evening reviews. Look at the past week on your calendar. What was accomplished? What meetings did you have? What other appointments and categorized time did you attend to? Next, look ahead and ask yourself the same probing questions for the upcoming work week. 

Ready, Aim, Fire! 

When we’re prepared, we’re confident in the task ahead of us. 

Look. Focus. Establish. 

God’s on your side; He goes before you, walks with you, and always has your back. You are NEVER alone or flying solo. I hope this helps and I look forward to hearing what you do with it! 

Beginning with the end in mind requires you to have a strategy. Click here to download our Strategy Statement tool to help you create or clarify a simple and clear strategy you can communicate to potential donors.