Tag Archives: Productivity
What I learned from reading in 2011
Posted on 06. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
Yesterday I posted about how leaders and readers and I posted my 2011 reading list earlier in the week. I intentionally focused this summer/fall and read several books on leadership, productivity systems and processes. Two of those books made it to my top 5. It’s interesting though that several themes popped out among several of the books, things that significantly impacted me. I’d like to share those things with you here.
Less truly is more
Two books I read referenced Pareto’s Law on multiple occasions. Most of us are familiar with this law. It is why only 20% (or less) tithe and support your church. It’s why only 20% (or less) tend to volunteer and support your ministry. It says that 20% usually accounts for 80% of the results. What I never realized before is that this law applies to my work as well. When I look at my list of things to do, about 20% of the things on that list will likely produce 80% of the results. However, when I procrastinate, I tend to spend my time knocking off the easy things that don’t produces heavy results. Ferriss from the Four Hour Work Week goes to the extreme of saying that you should really only have 2-3 things on your task list every day. Everything else should be eliminated or delegated. This principle is really what Eat That Frog is all about. Good stuff.
Systems are critical
Almost every book, but more specifically the E-Myth Revisited, The Checklist Manifesto and the Four Hour Work Week address this whole concept of systems. As a leader, if I don’t develop good systems, my results will always be inconsistant. When I have good systems, systems help keep everything running regardless of my people. Systems are what typically make great businesses great. Great systems are what get leaders out of the weeds, allows them to easily delegate and get to work on strategic things. Systems aren’t just for the administratively gifted… but for everyone who desires to lead… and the more you lead, the more systems become critical.
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Book Review: The Checklist Manifesto
Posted on 17. Nov, 2011 by Kenny.
As this year is wrapping up, I’m spending more time than usual looking over all that has been done in 2011. One thing I am proud of is that I’ve read many more books than I have in past years. I truly think this can be attributed to the kindle app on my iPad. Although it has been the busiest year of my life, I’ve made more time to fill my mind with new ideas (as well as a little time to escape). So, in the coming weeks I hope to write a few reviews of the books that have made a difference for me this year).
Over a month ago, I wrote this post about checklists. It was inspired by Sam Luce’s review of the Checklist Manifesto which I had read at his recommendation.
Unlike a lot of other books, as soon as I finished reading it… I had to call someone. I immediately called Sam and spent the better part of an hour on the phone with him discussing the implications of this book on Children’s Ministry. I’ll get to that a little later though.
The premise of this book though is about the importance of checklists. It’s not that we’re stupid and we need checklists, but it’s that because we are often caught up in higher-level thinking that sometimes little things get missed because we’re solving complex problems. Often times these little things that are missed can make the difference of life and death.
Atul Gawande, the author of this book and a surgeon recognized how many other professions where precision and perfection make the difference of life and death utilize checklists. Every pilot follows a series of checklist before flying, before landing and there are checklists for emergencies. Whenever a new situation arises, new checklists are developed and pilots are equipped with the data. Atul wrote about the recent plane crash in the Hudson river a few years back. What helped cause everyone to survive was the crew that worked together and followed the protocol set up for them through checklists. The same was true with the building of massive skyscrapers. Every day’s work is managed by a very complex set of checklists. Without adhering to the checklists, these buildings wouldn’t stand. When’s the last time you’ve heard of a building collapsing on itself? Checklists work.
Atul noticed the lack of checklists in the medical profession. However, he began experimenting with them. Although there are thousands of variables in the operating room where no two operations are the same, a simple checklist was devised and over the course of months and years, thousands of lives were saved from overlooked mistakes and tragic infections. Checklists work!
One of the things discovered is that the use of a checklist improved results with absolutely no addition of skill. It got me thinking, how much more effective could our volunteers be if they had a set of checklists to follow. Although you can’t “checklist” a relationship, you can create a checklist around how often and when a leader engages relationally. We can create classroom checklists and task checklists. So, this book has influenced me and I know that the coming months may see the creation of new checklists in my ministry… and I’m sure I’ll share them with you here. Regardless, I do recommend you pick up this book. Get your own copy right here.
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Checklists aren’t for idiots
Posted on 03. Oct, 2011 by Kenny.
About two months ago, I watched an episode of the Colbert Report on Hulu, probably the 3rd time I’ve watched the show. Near the end of the show, he interviewed an author (who was also a surgeon) about a book he’d written about checklists. I was intrigued, but quickly forgot about the book. About 3 months ago, my friend Sam Luce told me about the very same book, The Checklist Manifesto. My interest was piqued again. I was in the middle of a reading binge on productivity, so I ordered the book through Amazon.
As soon as I finished the book, I called Sam to discuss. I felt that this book has some significant implications for Kidmin. Our conversation has just begun, but I really feel that this will be one of those books that makes a mark on at least the ministry at my church… if not Kidmin on a greater scale. Time will tell.
This morning I was pleased to see that Sam wrote a post about checklists on his blog. Be sure to read it here. In his post he used a checklist for a check-in volunteer as an example. One of the items on the checklist was “smile.” It seems like a trivial and sub-intelligent item to put on a check-list, but it’s essential. I remember fromt he book where a checklist was created for how to restart an engine of a specific airplane when the engine dies in mid-flight. The first item on the check-list was “fly the plane.” Any person reading that checklist would probably think, “How dumb do you think I am?” However, experience has shown that when an engine dies in mid-flight, the panic and adrenaline associated with trying to get the engine restarted distracts pilots so much that they often forget the most important thing… to keep flying the plane.
Checklists aren’t for idiots or the forgetful. In an environment of complex, high-pressure and fast-paced situations, even the most intelligent people sometimes forget or overlook simple tasks, which is what makes checklist so important. They can even save lives.
So, if you’re in ministry, I highly recommend this book and I’d love your feedback as well. BTW, you can pick up the book right here.
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Do you use Things?
Posted on 26. Jun, 2011 by Kenny.
I don’t mean to confuse any of you with the title. More than likely only some of the Mac users understood my question right away. I’m wanting opinions and thoughts on the task management software – Things. I remember hearing many say good things about it in the past, but I wanted some details. Anyone using it now who swears by it? Is it worth the money? Why is it better than Remember the Milk or other similar systems.
I just finished a good book on productivity and I want to take my to-do list to the next level and it looks like Things could help me do what I need it to do (with tags and such).
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
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Two days with an iPad
Posted on 19. Dec, 2010 by Kenny.
On Friday morning I woke up and realized that something was wrong with my laptop (MacBook Pro). It wouldn’t boot up at all. Crud! It was Friday morning and the absolute soonest I could get someone to look at it would be Sunday. So, I decided I would see how well the Ipad was going to work for me.
Several months ago, someone gave me an iPad and up until this time, it’s been more of a recreational device. When needing to get any serious work done, I’d just default to the laptop as it’s easier to use and I’m more familiar with it. So, this was a great chance to really test it out.
Well, all I can say is that my experience was pretty good. I’m not at all ready to give up the laptop for the iPad, but I was surprised at what I could get done. Sitting on the couch and doing a lot to typing is not really that easy. I’d have to prop my legs up on the ottoman and hold the iPad in place with my legs while I typed. I was impressed by how fast I could actually type. At times, I was typing on it as fast as I do on the laptop.
I’d say the things that were a little frustrating were the websites that I do work in that are based in flash and the multi-tasking. I’m constantly jumping back and forth between programs, tabs and windows all the time and although you can do this with the iPad, it’s just not nearly as seamless.
So, I’ve got a loaner laptop until my computer is fixed… but I’m curious to see if my usage on the iPad for work related tasks are going to go up now that I’ve learned that it can be fairly productive without having to lug a computer around the house or to a meeting.
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Inbox Zero thoughts?
Posted on 14. Jul, 2010 by Kenny.
Over the years I’ve heard a lot about the idea of Inbox Zero… getting your email empty every day. I would say that I often do feel like a prisoner to my email and the thought of emptying my inbox daily sounds a little exciting. I just swtiched my work email to a Google Apps account. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll be “importing” email over or just starting completely fresh (we’ll see).
So, as of last night I had 16 emails that had come in, but zero emails in my inbox. I love gmail’s archive feature. The emails are there, just not in the inbox. They’re searchable and if I click on “all mail,” I can see them all. The idea of starting fresh is really appealing. Do any of you out there use the GTD or Inbox Zero method. Any thought? Any advice?
Don’t make fun of the silly theme (Jonathan Cliff), it’s a temporary thing.
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Back from vacation: different this time
Posted on 03. Aug, 2009 by Kenny.
What’s it like coming back from vacation for you?
Most of the time the first day back from vacation is an epic waste. My body is present, but my mind is still asleep. I get little done and it’s difficult to focus. I’ve found this to be true even with pressing deadlines on the horizon.
I got back from vacation last Monday and Tuesday was my first day in the office. I’m not sure what happened to me. On both Tuesday and Wednesday I was up after 5:00 AM and working before 6:00 AM. On Tuesday I actually went home close to two, but on Wednesday I worked from 6:00 AM until pretty close to 5:00 PM and I cranked out the productivity. I’m not sure what happened this time.
What’s it normally like for you?
BTW, vacation was phenominal. I spent five luxurious days with my wife at an all inclusive resort in Playa Del Carmen for our ten year anniversary. It was a much needed rest!
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Enterprise 2.0
Posted on 30. Mar, 2008 by Kenny.
Okay. I think this this my last post in this two week series of technologically heavy posts (I think). I actually came across the little slide show below several months ago. It’s not outdated, but there are now other web application out there now that could also be included in this presentation.
Here’s where we are. The multi-site model of doing ministry is exploding. Members of the same teams are sitting in offices spanning cities and even states. Even though I was only 15 minutes away from one of our campuses, sometimes a few weeks would go by without even seeing the CP at that campus. So, we need the tools to effectively work together when we are apart. This is Enterprise 2.o. Most of the tools listed in this presentation are free (or very low cost). See how it may change the way you collaborate! [...]
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New birth… literally!
Posted on 11. Jun, 2007 by Kenny.
It may be quite around here on the Children’s Ministry Online Blog. My wife and I are in the hospital right now… looks like we may be having our first baby tonight. Tomorrow is his due date, so I can’t complain about his timing. We’re so excited. Keep us in your prayers and I’ll post again when we have a son!
 Kenny
I tagged this comment in the category “Productivity.” I figured that would be appropriate.
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