⏱ The Best Minute: Getting things done quickly, the importance of mindset, and finding what works for you
💡 1 IDEA FROM ME
The quicker you can get it done, the better.
It’s not about how hard or long you work, but what problems you solve. Therefore, it is helpful to ask yourself, "How can I make this easier?” For example, here are questions I could ask myself about sermon writing, which is something I do almost every week. You can adapt these questions for your big recurring tasks.
What distractions am I allowing that break my focus when studying and writing?
What other preachers could I ask and learn from regarding their sermon writing process?
Is the environment I write sermons conducive to sermon writing (am I somewhere where I can be interrupted easily? Is there a more efficient way to capture notes or sermon illustrations? Do I sermon prep when my energy and focus are at their high point in the day? etc.)
Since sermon writing is one of the most mentally demanding parts of my job, am I prioritizing it in my schedule?
It isn’t about how much time it takes to write sermons that matters, what matters is how helpful they actually are. 7 hours of sermon prep can consistently produce a better sermon than 12 hours of sermon prep if given the right conditions, study habits, and environment.
What is the quickest way you can solve the problem or your recurring task(s)? The value you provide is more important than the time you spent on the problem. Make it as easy as possible to solve it quickly. Then you can move on to the next thing.
💬 2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS
I. Carlos Castaneda on the importance of our mindset:
“The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.”
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II. Novelist Doris Lessing on finding what works for you to succeed:
“We all of us have limited amounts of energy, and I am sure the people who are successful have learned, either by instinct or consciously, to use their energies well instead of spilling them about. And this has to be different for every person, writers or otherwise.
I know writers who go to parties every night and then, recharged instead of depleted, happily write all day. But if I stay up half the night talking, I don’t do so well the next day. Some writers like to start work as soon as they can in the morning, while others like the night or—for me almost impossible—the afternoons. Trial and error, and then when you’ve found your needs, what feeds you, what is your instinctive rhythm and routine, then cherish it.”
🎙 THIS WEEK ON THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP PODCAST
John Schroder talks about reaching your community through podcasting, how to be a good neighbor, creating rhythms of rest, and more.
Click here to listen to the podcast on your favorite app and get the show notes for this episode.
💯 1 RESOURCE I RECOMMEND
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.
One of the best books I have read this year. It shows why sleep is so critical and what happens to our bodies and our health when we do and do not get enough sleep. Dealing with ongoing health issues? Sleep (lack thereof) is likely a part of the reason. As a personal practice, I always aim for 8 hours of sleep per night after reading this book. You probably will too if you read it.
🤯 1 INTERESTING FACT
Humans are born with only two inante fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds.
Most fear is learned. Spiders, snakes, the dark – these are called natural fears, developed at a young age, influenced by our environment and culture. So a young child isn’t automatically scared of spiders, but builds on cues from his parents. You get evidence from your parents and your environment that you need to be scared of these things.
Source: CNN Health
🤔 1 QUESTION TO LEAVE YOU WITH
The better question to ask is not, “Will I succeed?” but rather, “What should I attempt?”
