The Effective Use of the President’s Time

The Effective Use of the President’s Time

by | Mar 29, 2011 | Featured Articles, Presidential History, Time/Life Management

Last year on President”™s Day, Kelly and I took a trip down to Yorba Linda and the Richard Nixon Library and Foundation.  Admission was free, so we joined some 5,000 other people taking advantage of the opportunity.  The highlight of the day was the panel lecture on “The Effective Use of the President”™s Time.”  The panel was made up of four men who served in the West Wing of the White House and, more specifically, worked directly under H. R. “Bob” Haldeman, Nixon”™s Chief of Staff.  They discussed the climate of which Nixon assumed the presidency, how foreign trips were staffed, and most importantly, how they helped the President make the best use of his time. Nixon”™s end is usually where we begin in thinking about his time in office and tends to dominate the flavor of the entirety of his presidency.  That is unfortunate.  Many, initiatives, policies, and governmental advancements that remain in place today were initiated during his years in the White House.  In fact, the entire structure of the modern day Office of the President was essentially created during his tenure and remains in tact today.  The lecture was a fascinating look into the Presidency. Today and Friday I”™ll post my bulleted notes from the lecture.  On Saturday, I”™ll give a few thoughts on how these themes could bring helpful consideration to an ordinary pastor”™s ministry. Nixon was friendly, but we were not friends. Nixon lost the 1960 election because he tried to run the campaign himself.  In 1968 (the year he won the Presidency), he put key managers in every position. Haldeman issued a memo in the 1968...
Pastoral Productivity – Pitfalls

Pastoral Productivity – Pitfalls

by | Apr 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management

So what are the potential pitfalls every pastor (really anyone) will face as soon as he is committed to becoming more productive? Here are a few suggestions: Strangling Sovereignty. As one who believes in, values, and enjoys a robust understanding of God’s sovereginty, I understand the tension that can often be felt when trying to become more focused and productive. I understand that God guides every step despite by best intentions. As someone (I can’t remember who) has said, we write our plans in pencil and understand God owns the eraser. Never think that our goals, plans, projects, tasks, and ultimately our productivity is either up to us or accomplished in our own ingenuity. Furthermore, when providence destroys the perfectly planned productive week you sketched out, rejoice! Don’t fret or sweat in frustration. God is sovereign. Our productive desires can never strangle his perfect providential plans. Frustrating Friends. Another pitfall when we aim to be productive is that we will inevitably frustrate some of our friends; especially those not given to our bent for greater productivity. I do this to the best of my friends. I need to be less self-focused and considerate of others. Yet, I can plan my work and work my plan, running right over those I consider ministry partners and friends. Be careful of this. Neither frustrating them by our precise planning, nor succumbing to other’s lack of planning needs to cause us any lack in being effective at what we do. Flexibility is required – but not so flexible that we are useless. Projects Above People. Sometimes this is a false dichotomy. Often times...
Pastoral Productivity – Unproductive Approaches

Pastoral Productivity – Unproductive Approaches

by | Apr 7, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management

So, this series is all about the negative side of pastoral productivity. Next week, I plan to say more about the more productive side of pastoral productivity – the positive stuff. But, before we move to the positive, let’s be a bit more negative (why do the negative articles always get more press?). Here’s a few thoughts on unproductive approaches in addressing productivity: Goals without Strategy. Goals are great and I have them – I have some for myself, my family, and my ministry. But if you have no practical way to apply them, remind yourself of them, or even hold yourself somewhat accountable to them, goals are useless. Goals without a strategy are a strategic way to become more depressed and obviously unproductive. If you are going to set some goals, you will also need to think through a process by which those goals are continually evaluated, regularly reviewed, and practically applied to how you work week to week. Strategy without Goals. Many people fall into this trap. These are those who are mesmerized by the latest time management tool, whether electronic or paper, or those who are continually looking for a new productivity system. They love to think about how to be productive and are always shifting systems, but their day-to-day functions are never tied to any long-term, higher altitude goals. Strategy without goals is a good way to feel productive, but not necessarily be productive in the long run. Time-Driven Tasks. It really is a myth that you can manage your time. It marches on despite our goals and management plans. I do agree with David...