Me and My Messy Desk

Yesterday morning I spoke to many of our men at our Tuesday Men’s Breakfast. They are very interested in what they should do in service to God and how they should do it. They want to know how to make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5).

They know that emergencies, responsibilities, and life itself gets in the way of making the most of every opportunity. These same things get in the way of being efficient and productive in all areas of life.

As I spoke to the men about using their time wisely and effectively, here are some of the things we talked about.

First, know what matters and do what matters. You will always have plenty to do. The question is not whether you have enough to do but what you should be doing to serve God and please Him. When we answer the question about what matters, we can learn how to be more effective doing what matters.

Second, keep a to do list. It doesn’t matter whether that list is on paper or electronic. I’ve tried both ways and often change my list between the two. The important thing is to have a list and to follow your list.

Be sure you put the most important priorities at the beginning. Be careful not to let other things get in the way of what really is important.

Third, don’t keep a messy work area. I’ve struggled with a messy desk all of my life. I wish I knew how much time I have wasted looking for things in a stack of papers.

I told the men yesterday I must love stacks because I’ve had so many of them. A messy desk will keep you from being productive. I believe one of the best things you can do is to clean your desk before you leave work.

A clean desk clears my mind and helps me get started with my day.

Four, emphasize the important and don’t get fooled by the urgent. Early in life I read a booklet entitled “The Tyranny of the Urgent.” The point was that the urgent is the enemy of the important.

As believers, we must emphasize what matters to God and seek to be faithful in carrying out what God wants us to do.

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One Response

  1. I too have a messy desk, I clean it and a week later it’s full again but I keep working on it. Being retired from work is a myth! I’ve never been so busy but it’s a good busy. I find myself looking for Gods direction more often and I believe it’s because the things I’m busy with are mostly for my family and friends and not for a boss. My priority list starts each day praying that I please God with everything I do, the rest just seams to work out.

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