The young lady backed out my driveway, and I marveled at the inspiring few minutes we spent together. Shaking my head, I realized she left behind yet another fresh perspective for me to ponder. Our conversation, short though it was, gave me an appreciation for her maturity. She explained that an injury derailed her aspiration to play a professional sport, but it did not rob her of the value of another dream: productivity.
In a brief encounter on a warm weekday afternoon, a young woman left me with much to consider. Her story fueled my passion for our topic today.
People fascinate me. I relish the opportunity to talk with anyone … to hear their story, to learn how their day is going, to observe how they orchestrate the symphony of life. Especially intriguing to me are productive people, those who demonstrate the know-how to get things accomplished. Over time, I've observed this cadre creates a demographic of their own, regardless of age, station, or profession. And their patterns are consistent. Now, their secrets are your secrets.
Secret #1: They manage their Minutes
In short, these individuals see the value of time, and they don’t waste the treasure of a simple 60 seconds. They have learned to navigate the details of a to-do list and ascertain the most critical items. Whether executives in the business world or CEO’s in the multifaceted corporation called “family”, they watch the clock and pace themselves accordingly. At any given point, they can recalibrate and execute. Key Word: Wise
Secret #2: They manage their Transitions
Those we speak of have mastered the From ~ To maneuver of life. In shifting from one task to another (one meeting to another, one location to another, one conversation to another) they cross the bridge effectively and get on with what’s next. Going from the kitchen to the car or from the elevator to the boardroom, they transition with intention. Key word: Intentional
Secret #3: They manage their Distractions
With expertise, members of this group are able to set aside that which takes their productivity off course. By mastering the art of selection, they categorize what is not essential to the task at hand and literally put it aside, both mentally and physically. But notice, distraction is not the same as interruption. This set respectfully honors an interruption from a person, a problem, a need, or a concern that warrants an attentive heart of compassion. A project does not trump a person; no, it does not.
Given to distractions, I easily made an excuse for devoting my attention to anything crossing my path, my desk, my mind, or my computer. However, after observing productive people, I acknowledged my need for growth. Now, while I will always take a phone call from one of my adult children, I will not take a phone call from a random ring. Does this make sense? Key word: Focus
Secret #4 They manage their Attitudes
Gratitude sets these apart. They have developed the maturity to, at day’s end, thank God for what He enabled them to accomplish and trust Him for that which remains. And uniquely, they refuse to flagellate themselves. Possessing an overall sense of satisfaction, these individuals are pleasant and peaceful because they are lighthearted and free.
Denny, now with The Lord, was such a person. After his regular job, Denny daily drove to a construction site where he steadily labored building a new home for his family. With no end in sight, he thanked God for the work done in the few hours he had to build, and as he packed up his tools, he looked forward to returning the next afternoon to continue. My admiration for Denny soared as I listened and learned more about productivity from this godly man. Key word: Peaceful
In each of these secrets I hear the words of Scripture ringing true: “Teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 91:12 NASB).
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
Which secret have you mastered from the 4 listed above?
How would you advise the rest of us to pursue this?
Which secret do you want to pursue? (Personally, I want to give attention to Transitions. Larry says that I allow myself to Velcro with items in my path.)
