Add This To Your To-Do List

I was out of town this past weekend, which meant I was out of the office.  Even if I’m just a day away I know as soon as I walk back into my office there will be a variety of tasks, emails, and projects to tackle.  Walking in with no idea where to start can be rather overwhelming, so what I do is create a to-do list.  I write down what needs to be done, I prioritize the list and then tackle it.  The benefit to a to-do list is that it gives us focus; however, that focus can be jeopardized if not complete.  In fact there is one action step that’s left off of many people’s to-do list.  What is that action step?
Create A Not To Do List.
So, what goes on this list?

• Tasks That Need Delegation – Instead of listing all the things you need to do, make a list of things you can pass off to coworkers and volunteers.  As youth workers we can be guilty of doing too much.  If you have volunteers use them to knock a few things off your to-do list. 
• Bad Habits – Believe it or not your day is filled with bad habits, from browsing Facebook to eating lunch at your desk.  They may seem insignificant but they add up and slow you down.
• Meetings That Are Unnecessary – You might have a slew of meetings on your to-do list; yet, they may be unnecessary.  Before you go ahead with that meeting read this post on Meetings That Kill.  Because a bad meeting will not only waste your time; but, hurt your ministry in the long run.

A not-to do list means eliminating the unnecessary in your ministry.  It’s about creating capacity, building your team and focusing on what needs to be done.  Too often we focus on doing more, when really we should take time to do less.  So next time you look at what to do, ask yourself, “What do I need to not do?”


What’s first on your not to-do list?