In your church office: Keep It Simple, part one

A cell phone’s ring tone during a meeting of ministry assistants sparked a conversation about how complicated life is today as compared to just a few short years ago. One of the youngest of the group remarked, “Even I remember when multitasking was something computers, not assistants, did. I think I was more productive then. For sure, I was less stressed.”

Experience in the church office leads many assistants to believe the key to achieving the maximum joy from work lies in keeping things as simple as possible. The process starts with making wise choices—decisions designed to manage your job and your life effectively.

• Delegate what you can
Volunteers can take over many hours of your work week to free your time for the kinds of tasks that cannot be delegated. Granted, enlisting and training volunteers takes time and effort. And there are some obvious disadvantages to relying on unpaid help. But, done well, delegation will simplify your days.

• Identify avoidable negatives
Worrying about the future, ruminating over the past, being involved with gossip, remaining in outgrown friendships, indulging in harmful habits, setting unrealistic standards for yourself and others—imagine the tranquility you could gain by discarding these life-complicating behaviors.

• Trim your tasks
Today’s alternative to delegate is eliminate. What do you habitually say yes to that you could say no to?

Ask yourself:
• Does it really need to be done?
• Does it need to be done right now?
• Does it need to be done this way?

We tend to hold on to old habits and notions even if we are not satisfied with the results. Most likely there is a better way. Look for the most simple technique to achieve the desired outcome. Moving beyond the “we’ve always done it this way” syndrome is a huge first step toward implementing new techniques.

Get even choosier about how you spend your time. Take a serious look at your week’s agenda. Identify things which give you a low return on your time and effort investment; cut them from your routine.

• Seriously unclutter “stuff”
Church offices can be collecting places for all sorts of (is there a better word for it?) stuff. Gain control by having a proper place for each item that belongs in the office and a system for moving things that don’t belong there to more appropriate places.

Ask yourself:
• Do I need to keep this item?
• Does it need to be kept in the office?
• Where is the best place for this item?

Every office needs a workable policy for ditching things. If you have one, use it. If you don’t, see what can be done to get a policy in place.

Unclutter your personal space as well. The more things one has, the more time and energy must be devoted to caring for them. Go for quality rather than quantity. Having fewer possessions—only what you use, need, and enjoy—allows you to appreciate each more fully.