As a kids pastor the one thing we can do to multiply our effectiveness is to be better managers of our time. I know that for most people we have so many things competing for our focus and attention.
I know that for me especially at the start of my week I sometimes am so overwhelmed that I just stare at my computer wishing and hoping, praying for a productive, effective day.
Brother Jim has been talking to us in Infuse about time management, I recently finished a book by Drucker called the effective executive both have been great for me.
Last week I stumbled upon this article in HBR via twitter. The whole article is fantastic. You can read the whole thing here. I took a few exerpts that breifly discribe the authors 18min method. I have used this for a week and found it simple and effective. Two of my favorite words.
Hope it helps you.
An 18 Minute plan for your day.
STEP 1 (5 Minutes) Set Plan for Day. Before turning on your computer, sit down with a blank piece of paper and decide what will make this day highly successful. What can you realistically accomplish that will further your goals and allow you to leave at the end of the day feeling like you’ve been productive and successful? Write those things down
STEP 2 (1 minute every hour) Refocus. Set your watch, phone, or computer to ring every hour. When it rings, take a deep breath, look at your list and ask yourself if you spent your last hour productively
STEP 3 (5 minutes) Review. Shut off your computer and review your day. What worked?