3 reasons to stop checking things off the list and take a step back
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There are so many things to do—so many tasks, projects, meetings, emails to respond to, team members who need vision and ownership. Leadership is overrun with to-dos.
With all these tasks, productivity isn't negotiable—it's a necessity. Having an unproductive day can be brutal and put you further behind or needing to work overtime, cutting into your family time or rest.
Many leaders are more comfortable doing than being. It's easier and feels more productive to check off a list and move forward to the next thing. But sometimes the most productive thing I can do is stop checking things off the list, and take a step back to breathe.
The Bible clearly reveals that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. He stopped moving and doing, and simply spent time in the presence of His heavenly Father.
When we step back to breathe, it enables us to:
1. Reassess.
We are able to consider how we're doing with stress or worry. Pausing helps us check on our tendency to become overwhelmed by work or personal circumstances. Taking a step back allows us to look at our situation with fresh perspective and determine whether we're in a healthy place.
2. Rest.
Sometimes the most productive activity we do is resting. Our bodies need rest every day. Our minds need rest, too. We need to make sure each day we're allowing "white space" or "transitional space" between meetings and projects and phone calls. These spaces ought to be longer than a bathroom break, but should be intentional moments of rest built into the day. These can actually help us become more productive!
3. Re-engage.
When we've spent time away from something, often we're able to return to it with more energy, creativity, and productivity. We more effectively re-engage with the work than if we just push through the stress or tiredness or eye strain.
Productivity can look different than we think. I'm amazed how frequently Jesus had time for the interruptions and distractions. Few would say He lived an unproductive life.
May we take a page out of His book and think differently about productivity.
 | Ben Marshall is a Pastor at Pathway Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He works with teenagers and young adults. He is passionate about leadership and raising up the next generation of biblical leaders. He is a blogger, guitar player and sports enthusiast. Ben currently resides in Beaver Falls with his wife Connie and their two daughters, Aliya and Sophie Learn More » |
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