We always want to make the most of our time: to learn how to manage it better and to make it more effective. Last week, I attended a Work Conference here locally and unbeknown to me, this leader shared one of the most profound messages I've heard about Time & Priority Management in a while.
Steve Stroope of Lake Pointe Church shared about 4 activities we do:
(1) BAD
Things you are BAD at. Things you don't like to do. Things you should not do.
For me, cooking will be a BAD activity. No one should eat the food I cook. Yes, it is that BAD.
(2) GOOD
Things I could do, but they aren't things I should be paid doing for others. Things people couldn't afford me to do if they pay me.
In my example, this may be cleaning. I love to clean, I do a good job when I do. But no one would be able to afford me when I do.
(3) GREAT
These are things that I am great at. Perhaps even excel in it. It could perhaps be my vocation.
(4) UNIQUE ABILIT(IES)
These are my God-given talents that God wired me for. These are things I am naturally extremely gifted at.
The major DIFFERENCE between (3) GREAT and (4) UNIQUE ABILIT(IES) is the energy level. When you do your (3) GREAT activities, eventually doing them all the time drains you out and you would need a break from it, while working on your (UNIQUE ABILITIES) give you more and more energy as you do them. You won't ever want to stop!
So, go ahead. Spend some time to list the activities you have to do. Create 4 categories. List the activities under each category.
(1) Bad ______________________________________
(2) Good _______________________________________
(3) Great _______________________________________
(4) Unique Abilities ______________________________
After you listed your activities/ tasks, delegate and stop working on your (1) Bad and (2) Good activities. At all times, you should be doing your (3) and (4) - if and when you can.
If you are a small business, 1 -or 2-person company that you have to do everything, eventually hire out the (1) and (2) activities.
If you want to watch a better explanation, please forward to 6:08.
TIME-BLOCK
Several years ago, I learned to TIME BLOCK. It is a very powerful tool to know what I need to do at a given time. Because I am self-employed, my schedule can be as flexible as I make it to be.
Every season, my TIME BLOCKs may change.
When I fill in my TIME BLOCK, I first identify my church & volunteer schedule. Then, I insert my personal/ family time. All in 30 minute increments of the hours.
I start work from 8:00am. Then, I schedule business activities of the day.
I have been very successful working on TIME BLOCKS.
But when I super-imposed My GREAT and UNIQUE ABILITIES activities, I'm SUPER-CHARGED.
20% of our time spend on working on our (3) and (4) activities to generate 80% of our results. Knowing this fact cum with time blockings - identifying what time of the day (mornings, afternoons or evenings) gives us the best results, you should schedule your (3) & (4) activities during that time.
For me, I'm a morning person. Therefore, I should do more of (3) and (4) in the mornings.
I get a little tired in the afternoon and it is the least productive time of my day. Therefore, I would schedule my (2) and (3) activities.
I catch a 2nd wind after my young kids go to bed - usually by 8:00pm. Hence, I schedule (if I want to/ or need to work) my (3) or (4) activities for a little bit before I head to bed.
I personally experienced it yesterday. As I'm able to work on my (4) yesterday for about 4.5 hours, I got so much done than I did than the last 2 years! I felt so alive and so accomplished that I decided not to catch my 2nd wind in the evening after my kids went to bed!
Try it and let me know how it goes for you!
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