The BlackBerry Bold (my preferred device), Apple iPhone 3GS, Palm Pre, and a host of other smartphones all promise to help us accomplish more.  Unfortunately, we live in an age where we’re encouraged to purchase gadgets that allow us to do many things at the same time.  It’s called multitasking and, in my opinion, it’s overrated and may be the greatest leadership lie ever told!  That’s right, I said it!

Multitasking is the ability of a person to perform more than one task at the same time.  When you’re going back and forth between complicated projects, it is impossible to focus properly on each one.  “Researches call this task switching, an action, that, itself, requires time and energy.  Depending on how many tasks you’re juggling, you could be losing 20 to 40 percent of your time, because you have to reengage your focus and thoughts.” (“Executive Control of Cognitive Processes in Task Switching,” Joshua S. Rubinstein, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Atlantic City, NJ; Journal of Experimental Psychology – Human Perception and Performance, Vol. 27, No. 4).

I’ve discovered both life and ministry require a certain amount of juggling.  Few days play out in an orderly, linear sequence.  Speaking on the phone to a member, client, or colleague while you’re reading a report or typing an e-mail might not cost you that much.  But, doing so while you’re preparing a report or message might.  At the very least, it will slow you down and result in sub par work.  To increase your focus and performance when concentration is critical, cut down on multitasking.

A few suggestions:

1. Turn off your e-mail alarm (who needs to be alerted to spam or useless facebook updates).  Check it regularly when it’s convenient for you – not when it interrupts you.
2. Block out time for projects that require intense focus such as sermon preparation, budget forecasting, vision/planning, writing, drafting a presentation, or conducting analysis.
3. Forward your calls to voice mail and close your door if necessary.  Let people know that you’re working on a project.  If you don’t have a door, put up a sign.
4. When possible, schedule important phone conversations when you know you’ll have no distractions.
5. Never work on something else while you’re on the phone.  The person on the other end knows when you’re writing an email while you talk, and it’s probably irritating him or her.

Organize your work so that you can do ONE THING at a time and do it well.  The payoff will be substantial!

Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.  He is the King of Pop and we’ll forever remember you!

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES & MUSIC MICHAEL!
1958-2009

I often hear pastors and church leaders say: “Leading a church would be great if it weren’t for church people.”  That may or may not be true, but, there is no such thing as leadership void of people.  The challenge most church leaders face is that we’re pulled in so many directions by so many people and since we’re human, we’re bound to disappoint someone.

Here’s a truth that will keep you sane as a spiritual leader:

We have responsibility to people,
not for people.

Mark Waltz, in his book Lasting Impressions, does a nice job describing the difference:

1. When I’m responsible to people, I understand they have a choice. When I’m responsible for people, I think I should decide for them.
2. When I’m responsible to people, I know they must figure out their next step. When I’m responsible for people, I try to tell them what their next step is.
3. When I’m responsible to people, I allow them to bear the brunt of the consequences for their own chosen actions. When I’m responsible for people, I assume the guilt, or worse the shame, for them.
4. When I’m responsible to people, I engage in their journey, offering encouragement and teaching. When I’m responsible for people I try to direct their journey, never allowing them to wrestle, mess up or make a wrong turn.
5. When I’m responsible to people, I talk to God on their behalf. When I’m responsible for people, I talk to people a lot on God’s behalf.

One of the most basic boundaries we can maintain is our skin. I am responsible for everything inside my skin. You are responsible for everything inside your skin. It is a fundamental demarcation between “me” and “you.” Sometimes pastors feel like they have to have all the answers, solve all the problems and make everything right…for everyone. If you fall into this category, my heart goes out to you today.  It is a very frustrating thing to feel responsible for the thoughts and actions of other people. It is quite liberating to know that I only have a responsibility to other people – to love them, to be honest with them, to be a friend and support. What’s going on inside them is “all theirs.”