Leadership Factory 8: Determining your Priorities

Listen to this inspiring episode of Leadership Factory: Building Leaders with Purpose where you’ll discover how to make the most of your time for effectiveness as a leader:

Making the Most of Your Time

You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. (Matthew 23:24, NIV)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:15–16)

Question to Consider: What are your top three priorities for each day?

BIBLICAL ANSWERS ON PRIORITIES

  • What was Jesus’ Priority? Mark 1:35-38
  • What is the Christian’s Priority? Luke 10:38-42
  • What is the Leader’s Priority? Acts 6:2-4
  • What about Distractions and Hindrances? Hebrews 12:1
  • How does our Purpose Help Us with our Priorities? 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The 80/20 Principle

Examples:

Time: 20% of time invested produces 80% of the results.

Work: 20% of our effort produces 80% of our satisfaction.

Ministries: 20% of our ministries provide 80% of our fruit.

Leadership: 20% of the people make 80% of the decisions.

Servants: 20% of the members do 80% of the ministry.

Mentoring: 20% of the influencers are where you should spend 80% of your time.

Lessons Learned from the 80/20 Principle:

1) Activity doesn’t equal accomplishment.

2) Work Smarter, not Harder.

3) Organize or Agonize.

4) Evaluate or Stagnate.

5) Schedule your Priorities.

6) Reacting is not leading.

7) Say NO to the little things.

How to Say No Gracefully

1) Say no to the request, not to the person.

2) Respond in the best interest of the person asking.

3) Suggest a creative alternative.

Top 10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Time…

  1. Make “to do” lists.
  2. Set your priorities.
  3. Avoid perfectionism.
  4. Question and reevaluate often.
  5. Welcome tension.
  6. Avoid clutter.
  7. Avoid procrastination.
  8. Control interruptions and distractions.
  9. Partner with others for your weaknesses.
  10. Use a calendar.

SELF-EVALUATION: Three Wise Questions

Requirement: What is REQUIRED of me?

Results: What gives me the greatest RETURN?

Reward: What gives me the greatest REWARD?

Write down your Top 10 Priorities.

Think back to the 80/20 principle. Remember: Activity does not equal accomplishment. Answer the following questions based on your own strengths and priorities:

  • Who are the top 20 percent of people you should pour your life into?
  • Which of your activities result in the greatest amount of fruit?
  • Which of your leadership roles produces the greatest fulfillment?
  • Who are the potential leaders around you who you can begin to equip for ministry?
  • What other priorities should you start to pursue as you grow to lead others?

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