4 Steps to starting fresh

Start now and you’ll be ahead of all those who are waiting for New Year’s Day. Here is a process that will help you year to year be organized and focus where you can keep your attention on other matters. Try it, you’ll love the freedom.

1. Organize for effectiveness. The primary focus of my organization is files, both paper and digital. I will update everything for the new year. This is my most time consuming project in starting fresh each year. It’s also the area that will usually show up first if I didn’t get it done well.

   I organize my files, book shelves, and desk. I try to purge things that are not necessary and clear space for things that are relevant.

2. Evaluate your workspace. This is an area that Student Ministers may underestimate the importance of. Oftentimes your office is not a good space or you treat it like a storage space before and after events. Try to rethink your space and make it welcoming to guests and inspiring to the work that you intend to do.

3. Create your rhythm calendar. Have a 12 month calendar in front of you. Look at significant dates during your year. If you use the same calendar year to year (recomended) then you can start by transferring important recurring dates.

   Note: you may be digital only but consider a paper calendar for long range planning and digital for appointments.

   After noting your important dates, start planning with events.

4. Envision your new year. What do you hope the next year will look like? What is your vision? A simple framework for visioning includes faith, family, finances, and fitness.

   Create a journal or written form of your vision. Review it often.

There is much more that could be said under each of these steps. This is just a start. Once you get started you will discover your own best practices.

Reset your rhythm for high performance

I recently learned that many high performing entrepreneurs have a daily one hour practice. For one hour each day they sit down to focus and get deep work done. It sets the stage for their day, week, and visionary goals.

While you may not be ready to take this up as a regular practice, taking time in rhythm will get you results.

This week, get started on a good lifetime practice.

Retreat for one hour. Be intentional about the space you choose to work from. Having a “go to” space will be helpful for future escapes for productive work. Music and candles are helpful for me. Find those things that work best for you and use the space and time often.

Be prepared to pray, focus and calendar. My goal during this week each year is to focus on all activities for the next two months. One of my ongoing mantras is “how can this be 1% better.” Slow down, pray, and open your calendar and visualize each day on your calendar until the end of January. Reflect on this time last year and make note of the things that caused you the greatest stress.

Have a white board or notepad available. Are there stress points from the previous year that can be addressed with better planning or preparation? Create a plan of action to address those stress points. Now take each event on your calendar for the next two months and create a list of things you can do to be ready ahead of schedule. Use a midpoint time hack by setting a reminder in four weeks to review your progress and get further ahead or get back on track.

Simple rhythms create big results. Pay attention and flourish.

Adjust your rhythm for family’s sake

I am obsessed with rhythm. I have found that the better that I understand my rhythm, the more effective I can be in the key areas of my life. Those areas of focus for me have remained the same for a long time now–faith, family, fitness and finances.

In all of our rhythms we are naturally drawn to focus on these areas more intently toward the end or at the start of a New Year.

Focusing on family during an extended holiday time seems to make sense when we consider the natural rhythms of our life. In considering family I want to evaluate and make adjustments. Here is where I start.

Adjust your pace. Slow down rather than speed up. Avoid the pull to make yourself unusually busy during this season. Start each day with meditation and intentionally slow down where you can think clearly about your family. What has stood out to you this last year? What will the family likely look like this time next year?

Adjust your perspective. Step outside of a ministry mindset and take a look at your own family. Where do you need to spend time? Address some neglected areas in extended family. There are eleven months where you are deepening relationships with others. Take this time to make sure you are doing the same in your family.

Adjust your plans. Yes, make some plans. Dream a bit. Talk to your spouse or significant others in your family. Set aside some time now for intimate family time throughout the year. Get some things on the calendar and make this your best year yet for your family!