Stop Doing That!

I receive a monthly publication at work called "Administrative Professional". It's a great publication that is jammed packed each month with practical ideas and time-saving tactics. I love getting it!

There was an article in last month's issues that caught my attention called "Stop doing that... and that." The article was about beginning a "stop doing" list. The first line reads "If your job squares with the Pareto Principle, 80% of the results you get comes from 20% of your work." "So", the article goes on to say, "you're probably investing much of your time on assignments that yield little return." The article suggests casting a critical eye on your task list to spot 3 areas of ripe removal: 1.) Tasks that you can not do. (ie: skipping a meeting that will not allow you time to get the work done that you NEED to get done) 2.) Tasks that you can do less frequently. (ie: ordering fewer shipments of office supplies by tracking inventory better & following-up once with a phone call instead of 3 times by email) and 3.) Tasks someone else can do. (ie: Cross training someone else to handle the lighter load like stocking paper in a copier and being able to delegate those things that, let's face it - maybe someone else prefers to do more than you!) :)

Recently at our church, we have been talking about making an "I don't list" rather than continually focusing on our "to do" lists. I have to admit, when I first heard about it I felt a little uneasy. I am BIG on to-do lists. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a planner. I LOVE to plan and make "lists". I have them at home, at work, in my bathroom, on my mirrors and even in my car. It's a sickness, I know, I know! But, by nature, I am the doer. The planner. The organizer. The ONE in charge.

I took a class recently at church taught by my senior pastor, Scott Winstead, and our Executive pastor, Rick Mink, called The Next Generation Leader. It is based on the book written by Andy Stanley of Northpoint Community Church. It's a great book and was a great class... but I have to tell you, I was not totally "bought-in", right off the bat, with this whole "don't do" list. I got to thinking - you know, some people have to do lists so that they can prioritize their days. Other people have them to show how busy they really are. I think I have them because I like to see the work get done. I like to look at the list first thing in the morning and be able to cross them off throughout the day and then see a completed list at the end of my day. ACCOMPLISHMENT.

From a biblical standpoint, we discussed in our class about saying "no" to some things means being able to to say YES to the bigger things. For instance - saying no to TV at night to say YES to reading story books with your children. Saying no to working late to say YES to a long-over due date night with your spouse! Even saying no to those French fries to say YES to the salad that is a healthier choice for you. But even more importantly - saying no to the things that take you away from the word of God and YES to making it priority to spending time with Him each day.

Let's face it - we could ALL use more hours in our days! No doubt about it... but I am truly convinced that if I actually WERE given more hours in my day - that would just allow me more time to FILL them up with unnecessary things.

So - would you join me in beginning a quest for the "STOP DOING" lists? I am going to begin this week saying no to some things. It will hurt, at first, I know it will - but it's time that I start prioritizing my time better.

Our pastor said something this past Sunday that has really stuck with me.... and I am going to incorporate it in my "stop doing" list. He said this (and I am paraphrasing): We get to make a personal appointment with God each and every day. God was waiting for you last month. He was waiting for you last week. He is waiting for you right now. God will meet us where we are, no matter what.

I'm going to start that "stop doing" list so that I can begin to focus on the things that really matter - - - what about you.

I'd love your feedback!