I just returned from the She Speaks conference. I don’t know if words can describe the spiritual infusion I just received. Add to that new relationships with amazing Christian leaders around the country and then top it off with more information on how to grow a ministry then I could ever begin to comprehend. The ideas and to do’s swirl around continuously in my already crowded brain. I am having to remind myself of lessons learned from Getting Things Done and my Daily Action Planner.
1) I need a brain dump! Letting all that is crammed in my notes and head flow onto one (or maybe a dozen sheets of paper) to unravel the traffic jam in my head.
2) I need to set some priorities. I can’t do it all at once and need to discern what is my next step or maybe three tops. I plan to create an inbox of one to three things daily and place them on my calendar, a lit of near future and then someday. I’m also categorizing these. I personally love a combo of the Trello app and a little Evernote for this. I love Trello because I have some people helping me and we can communicate well on what’s next and completed together.
3) I need to ask for help. Maybe someone can’t help me blog but maybe they can help in other ways. I have a mom who helps me with posting and sharing on social media. I have another mom and family member who sometimes volunteers to watch my kids so I can work uninterrupted (There should totally be a hallelujah chorus behind that last word). Today my husband offered to fix lunch freeing me to clean up my website landing page and attempt to unpack. (The latter was a major fail unless having the contents of a suitcase strewn across my bedroom could be considered unpacking.). Sometimes you do need professional help. I plan in August to hire Kim Stewart one of the presenters to help me develop a strategy for social media because a I can’t (and honestly won’t) spend hours a day on this when I have a six and nine year old. I’d rather embrace their childhood so I need to work smarter not harder. Her rates are also almost too good to be true.
4) Last, but most important. I need to pray and discern from God what He is calling me towards and that mean unplugging the disconnecting from all the distractions. The message I received clearly this weekend was that without Him, all of our to do’s are wasted efforts that won’t last and we can end up with dry thirsty souls which no amount of success or recognition could ever be worth.
What about you? What’s your plan as you prepare to tackle your to do’s for the week? Share with us any strategies you feel empower you as you juggle life in the often fast lane. I can’t wait to read them… much later as I’m taking my own advice and going to Be Still.
Sue says
So glad you wrote this michelle. I m still not home. One more flight. But I did a brain dump the last three hours in the air and it really helped that I had a big notepad! I wrote in categories almost non stop: what calls to action this next week including meal planning and reporting in to my prayer supporting friend. Another was what to post on ss fb page. Another was brainstorming articles to submit to magazines. It was helpful and fun. More later.
Michelle Nietert says
Glad you were able to use the plane time well Sue. Sounds like you are off to a great start. Keep us posted.
Cathy Chung says
Amen to your last point. The message loud and clear was that we need to seek God first or it’s all for nothing.
Michelle Nietert says
I know Cathy. I was so in awe with the consistent message that God wove throughout various vessels. The ground is truly level at the cross.
Lauren Gaskill says
Number four is my priority these days. So many things going on and so many things to do … trying to discern what God is asking me to step away from so I can give Him and my book my best yes. Thanks for this post! 😀
Michelle says
Praying for you Lauren! You have such an amazing future. Keep trusting.