It would be nice if youth ministry was like golf where if you messed up at the beginning you could get a do-over. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stumbled into the school year because:
I didn’t have enough volunteers
The schedule wasn’t finalized
Life outside of ministry conflicted
It’s in those moments you start to wonder, “How many weeks until Christmas break?” And while there is comfort in a breather, our focus should be on WHAT WE CAN FIX NOW TO GET US BACK ON TRACK.
That can be a challenge when things are in motion, but it’s not impossible. In fact, part of being a youth minister is knowing how to readjust, tweak and grow the ministry in an ever-changing world. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the start of the year look at:
Readjusting your calendar and schedule
I know get overwhelmed when I say, “YES” to too many things. Busyness comes from when your margin is used up and the boundaries you’ve set in place have disappeared. To readjust your calendar start by putting margin back into your schedule.
A great place to start is lunch time. Instead of working through lunch step away from the desk (Even your office) and enjoy those 30 minutes. Next, develop a start and stop times in your days. If you have trouble stopping because you have that one more thing to get done, set a timer that warns you that you have 15 minutes left. Use that time to wrap up your task.
It’s difficult to get all of your margin back in one sitting, so take your time building it back up. Make small changes, embrace them as habits and get yourself refocused.
Narrowing down your goals
It’s great to dream big, but at times we can overdo it. When we have too many goals it can create too many distractions. We might have trouble prioritizing how we tackle each one. By cutting your goals in half (Or even taking 2/3rds of them away) you can make them seem more achievable.
Another issue we face is that we get stuck on a goal because something unexpected pops up or it’s more challenging than we originally thought. In that case, skip it and move on to something more achievable.
While you might feel bad about cutting down the number of goals you have, you will get over it as soon as you accomplish the ones you keep. The affirmation from reaching your goals will move you further in your ministry. You’ll have momentum and when you revisit the goals you cut, you’ll have more enthusiasm to take them on.
Connecting with some accountability
Isolation is a productivity killer. When you work alone you are basically setting yourself up for failure. To make sure you don’t give up and keep moving:
- Build a leadership team of volunteers
- Connect regularly with other people in your field
- Surround yourself with a tight and close group of friends to invest in you personally
It’s easy to give up when the only voice you are listening to is your own. Surround yourself with positive people who will be there when you most need them. If you lack accountability make one of your goals for tomorrow to reach out to someone you can sit down with over coffee or a bite to eat.
Revisiting your prayer life
Even though it’s last on this list it needs to go first in your life. If you feel lost then make your next step entering into prayer (If you have to, stop reading this and just go pray). And, if you work for the church prayer should happen beyond your personal life. Incorporate it into the agenda of your meetings. Find at least 30 minutes a week where you can pray for your ministry. Make this the first thing you address when life starts to peter out of control.
When it comes to all these items, I recommend taking a day (At the least a half day) to develop an action plan. While the temptation is to do this on your day off, make it a work day. Invite your pastor into the conversation by seeking recommendations on places and resources that could assist you in this process.
For additional tools check out Time Savers and the YM Annual Assessment Tool in our store. And, if you are interested in coaching set up a free consultation HERE.
Don’t let the fall overwhelm you, take a step back from the trenches so you can get a sense of the bigger picture. After all, you are in this for the long haul.
What tips or strategies have helped you get back on track?
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