Unconventional Time Management
There is an abundance of content that will tell you that the key to success is to learn to say no. I agree but there is less content helping you to discover which things you should say yes to and which things you should say no to. Here is my unconventional formula:
Step 1: Say yes to everything that is life giving to you.
Step 2: Maintain your values and boundaries.
Say no to anything that is not life giving or compromises your values.
Step 3: Assess what is left on your list. Is it essential? Eliminate it if not.
Step 4: If it is essential outsource it: Either because it is life giving for them or you pay them to do it.
Step 5: If anything remains that is essential and you can’t find someone else to do it then use all the fortitude you can muster until you do find someone.
When we say yes to the life giving things that move our development forward we crowd out the unessential tasks that fill our time but don’t move us forward.
Step 1: Say yes to everything that is life giving to you.
It takes a while to determine what is life giving to us. Earlier in our careers we need to say yes to more things in order to figure out what is truly life giving. I used to love speaking at banquets. Speaking at banquets helped me meet people and dramatically improved my communication ability but it definitely is not my unique contribution to the world.
In different seasons we have different things on our life giving list. For a season Annie and did pre marital counseling with many couples. I loved it. I looked forward to it and prepared for it each time. Eventually I was less excited about it and simply didn’t do it as well anymore. (I might still say yes at this point but only if certain people asked me)
Step 2: Maintain your values and boundaries.
Are there rhythms or boundaries in your life that you and your family have committed to and you won’t compromise? Our values and boundaries should be fluid through different stages of our career and life.
The first response to this theory is generally a fear that you will overwork, but you will only overwork if you skip step 2.
Step 3: Assess what is left on your list. Is it essential? Eliminate it if not.
What are you still doing that once served you or your organization but doesn’t anymore?
What would happen if you stopped doing _____?
Many of us define too many things as essential. If we accentuate and refine our strengths my guess is many of us would discover that there are things we are doing now only because other people in similar positions are doing them- not because they are essential. If you know everyone in your town none of them will care that you don’t have a perfectly formatted monthly newsletter.
Step 4: If it is essential, outsource it.
You can do this by sharing it with someone who finds that life giving or by paying someone to do it.
Cleaning, folding laundry, and stuffing envelopes are all life giving to my mother in law. (I know life is not fair). Stop projecting what you find to be life giving onto everyone else.
If you know everyone in your town you will know someone who would love to perfectly format your monthly newsletter.
You and your organization can pay people to do more than you realize if you truly become great at your unique contribution.
If you know everyone in your town you have probably raised enough money that you can afford to pay someone to perfectly format your monthly newsletter.
Step 5: If anything remains that is essential and you can’t find someone else to do it then use all the fortitude you can muster until you do find someone.
Yes there will always be a few things on this list.
This could come across as an incredibly privileged way of operating but I believe this is good stewardship of the unique gifts God has given you.
