Time flies when you get busy. You have big plans and dreams, but they never seem to get done because there doesn’t seem to be anytime to slow down and pause. To build momentum, you need to find a rhythm and pace. That means going from reacting to what’s happening around you and investing habits that make margin and create a proactive ministry.
Over the years, I’ve found myself getting stuck in the habit of doing. All that brings me is more work, followed by large messes to clean up. Whenever I feel overwhelmed and realize that I need to be proactive, I go back to these four habits:
It’s easy to get consumed with what you need to do, but remember you have a team (Even if it’s just one volunteer) who needs to keep pace. While you might not be able to check-in with all of them every week, you need to make it a part of your regular schedule. At the beginning of each week, create a routine where you answer the following questions:
Asking those questions will help you identify which members of your team need your attention. Send them an email, shoot them a phone call, or set up a time to grab a coffee. Checking in with your team throughout the year will enhance your communication and build community. Without those two things, your ministry will struggle to grow.
Can you distinguish the difference between a busy and non-busy season? It’s difficult if you aren’t tracking your weeks. I’ve been using the Monk Manual for almost a year. It allows me to review the flow of my days, weeks, and months. It’s an opportunity to look at what’s working and what needs improvement.
We have a simple tool, Time Savers, in the MYM Store that helps you assess your calendar and prioritize what’s most valuable when you can physically track where your time, it will not only help you get stuff done but create margin.
Start with plotting out your month and include what’s personal and professional and then break down the week and later your day. At first, it’ll take a little bit of work, but once you get in a routine, you’ll find yourself giving up 10 minutes a day that will result with finding a time you didn’t know existed.
Celebrating What’s Good
Even if you do not feel it, there is a lot of good happening in your ministry. Identifying and celebrating those wins are enormous because they can shape the way you view the road ahead. If you can identify success in your ministry, it’ll build your confidence and create clarity around what’s working.
Take the time each week to celebrate what’s good by writing thank you notes to volunteers that made those occurrences happen. If you get an email from a parent, teen, volunteer or parishioner praising your efforts share the news. When people see the progress, they’ll get excited and remember that what they are doing is a part of something big.
Continued Investment
Leaders are learners, and that takes a continued investment. If all you are doing is working and producing you’ll start to lose steam. A leader is finding time to invest in their education and expertise through courses and resources that fuel their development.
Look for ways to feed your spiritual, pastoral, intellectual, and human needs. Start with a podcast or a reading a book for a few minutes a day (It can happen during your work hours) and then look ahead at your calendar and book a conference, workshop or retreat. If you want your ministry to grow, you need to make sure you are doing the same.
You might not feel like you have the time to incorporate new habits, but it’s an investment to increase your time by helping you tackle the essential parts of your ministry. Remember, the ministry is a journey; don’t burn yourself and trust God’s plan. He’ll give you what you need.
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