Leadership Training Manual 4

LESSON 4

PRIORITES AND DECISION MAKING (MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME)

Mistaken priorities lie at the heart of ineffective leadership. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus scolded the Pharisees for confusing what was with what was not important. The priorities of Christ were the spiritual needs of others. Great leaders know the heart of their people and act with the end in mind.

As spiritual leaders, we know that Christ died for us and we are saddled with the task of the great commission. The Bible rarely gives us step by step instructions for a given task. Consequently, we must ask for wisdom, keep the big picture in mind, lead from God’s priorities making the most of our time because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-17

BIBLICAL ANSWERS ON PRIORITIES

1.     What was Jesus’ priority?-Mark 1:35-38

2.     What is the Christian’s priority?-Luke 10:39-42

3.     What is the priority of Church leaders?-Acts 6:2-4

4.     What about distractions and hindrances? –Hebrews 12: 1

5.     How does our purpose help us with our priorities?-1Cor.9:24-27

                             THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE  

This principle teaches that if we focus our attention on the most important activities, we gain the highest return on our effort. In other words, if we tend to the top 20% most important priorities, we’ll accomplish 80% of the results we desire. Whereas if we embrace the wrong priorities, 80% of our effort will merely return 20% of the desired fruits to us.

                        EXAMPLE OF THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE

TIME: 20% of our time produces 80% of the result.                                        

COUNSELLING: 20% of people take 80% of our time.                                      

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

MINISTRIES: 20% of the ministries provide 80% of the fruits.

LEADERSHIP: 20% of the people make 80% of the decision.

WORKERS: 20% of the workers do 80% of the ministry.

MENTORING: 20% of the influencers are where you should invest your time.

LESSONS FROM THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE

1)    ACTIVITY does not equal accomplishment. Your goal is not to stay busy. Look for the wisest people and places to invest your time.

2)    Work SMARTER, not HARDER. This means doing things only you can do and delegating what others can help you with. What good is it to work extremely hard when it accomplishes little?

3)    ORGANISE or you will AGONISE. If we can learn to organise then we can become more efficient in getting things done. This will save us a lot of time and frustration.

4)    EVALUATE or STAGNATE: Determining where we stand in relation to our goal is very important. To move to the next level of leadership, we must evaluate our current situation.

5)    SCHEDULE your priorities: If you do not control your day by good planning, your day will control you.

6)    REACTING is not leading: when we lose control, we are no longer acting as  leaders but reacting to the urgent. If we forget the ultimate, we will become slaves of the immediate.

7)    Say NO to little things: when you know who you are and what your gifts and talents are, it is easier to know what to put your effort in and what to avoid. When a task would not further your goal, you need to say “no” and the way you say it is as important as the decision to. So you must do it gracefully as follows:

(a)  Say no to the IDEA not the PERSON: Make sure the person understands that you are not rejecting them. Give the idea of your affirmation but make them understand that the idea does not fit in with the things you need to accomplish.

(b) Respond in terms of the best interest of the person asking: communicate that your constraints will actually prevent you from doing the kind of work they deserve.

(c)   CREATIVELY come up with an ALTERNATIVE: Think of a way to help them complete their task. Give them confidence that they can do it or suggest who can.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME

1)    Make a to –do list

2)    Set your priorities

3)    Avoid perfectionism

4)    Question everything

5)    Welcome tension

6)    Avoid clutter

7)    Avoid procrastination

8)    Control interruptions and distractions

9)    Staff your weaknesses

10)       Use a calendar

THREE WISE SELF EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1)    What is REQUIRED of me?

2)    What gives me the greatest RETURN?

3)    What gives me the greatest REWARD?