Do you have time?

Do you have time?

“Effective leaders, in my observation, do not start with their tasks. They start with their time. And they do not start out with planning. They start by finding out where their time actually goes. Then they attempt to manage their time and to cut back unproductive...

Planning for the unexpected

In Mexico, something seems to go significantly wrong almost every day. Miguel was one of my hosts on a recent trip. The motor mounts on his car were shot from all the speed bumps, so he got them replaced. Then the battery light came on. The next morning, the battery...
Five ways to get more done with less stress

Five ways to get more done with less stress

Five ways to get more done with less stress: Make a list and prioritize it. Put your priorities onto your calendar. Group similar activities together. (e.g. errands) Evaluate weekly (What worked? What didn’t work? What needs to change?) When the pressure comes—slow...

Diagramming our priorities

Too much to do? Confused about what to do first? Let’s run through the process of taking stock of our lives as they currently are. Start by considering existing responsibilities and important relationships. Do we have children? A spouse? Aging parents? Health...
Balancing Life’s Demands

Balancing Life’s Demands

I’ve never been much of a retreat guy, but when I was in seminary I went on a singles retreat. I was new, single, and didn’t know anybody. I decided I needed to get to know some of my classmates and attending the retreat seemed to be an easy way to do that. However,...