Difference between busy-ness & effectiveness...

These days everyone is busy. However, the temptation is to think that just because we're very busy, that we're being effective, or productive. However, I am more convinced than ever before, that we can be VERY busy and yet be VERY ineffective.  How can we be BOTH effective, and busy. The answer is incredible simple to understand and incredibly difficult to do.

Being both busy and effective requires:

• Doing the right things: WHAT'S important.
• At the right times: WHEN it's important.
• For the right reasons: WHY it's important. 

Example: Returning phone calls is an important thing for me. HOWEVER, spending time with God, His Word, and preparing to teach are the MOST IMPORTANT things for me. So...I don't take many phone calls or return many calls in the mornings, because that is when my mind is the freshest and I want to give my BEST mental energy to God, and my most important ministry task. If I answered every phone call at everyone else's whim in the mornings, it would be impossible to devote large chunks of uninterrupted time when my mind IS the freshest to this task. So I have a 30 min-1 hr time slot each day when I return most phone calls. If I can;t connect with that person THEN, I try at the end of the day.

This approach to managing my day allows me to be both busy and effective. What about you? What are ways you think you could better be both busy and effective? 

What are YOUR right things? Right times? Right reasons?

Comments

[Charlene Bruder]

Hi Shawn,
I just got home from Merge and Wow! Can I just tell you how much that meant to me! I just prayed this morning that God would not let me have a "hardened heart" of unbelief. I don't want to miss out on what God can do and wants to do by sitting in my "boat of reality" and not believing God. I want the rocky soil of my heart to be worked up anew and a fresh outpouring of His Spirit poured over me. I will fast and pray that this will be our hearts cry as a church.
I'm so excited about the new staff that God has brought to Mountain Lake, also. I'm going to go now and get on my knees. I have so much to thank Him for!!! My heart is full!
In His Love,
Char