Working Smarter

This is not meant to be an exposition of “making the most of every opportunity” but a look at some practical ways to use time better. All of the following are ideas I liked that became almost involuntarily after a few years.

Warning: I did get accused by a few of being obsessive about production and accomplishment. But I was never called out for not having fun in life and enjoying work. Here are a few ideas to consider:

1. Use many ideas twice. A sermon from Sunday can be a devotional for a ball team or an article for a magazine or newspaper.
2. I would dictate memos or articles while I was driving or waiting on somewhere.
3. I would try to bunch return-calls together. Be warm and kind but get to the point.
4. I refused to start meetings late. Don’t waste the time of the people who are there on time waiting for the one who is late.
5. I would keep a notepad or digital Dictaphone with me for ideas, sermon ideas, and notes to others.
6. I love to take three-minute fun breaks. Make a phone call, give a gift to someone on staff, write a handwritten thank-you note.
7. Several small things I would do daily are: exercise, take a prayer break, and get up when the alarm rings. They all seem small but I found them to be life-giving.
8. If I would get stalled on a sermon or a decision, I would simply go to something else for a while.
9. I stopped doing what others can do.

What are some habits that help you make good use of time? Which of these ten things seems to be the most vital for you? Which one(s) are maybe not so vital?