Job Prioritization Stair Step
A church leader’s job today is a lot like gardening. There is always something else that needs to be done. Typically the first solution we see is to work longer hours and require others to work longer hours. This goes on until higher turnover and burnout results.
The second solution for the enterprising leader is to read time management books for the latest ideas on efficiency. This leads to more productivity but not necessarily to results that make a real difference.
Working smarter rather than harder and enjoying meaningful work requires we look at our jobs and responsibilities through the lens of strengths, effectiveness, delegation and priorities as well as efficiency. Here’s a four step process for prioritizing your job duties. Address each question and you will be on your way to doing what matters, when it matters and in a way that matters:
Four Step Job Prioritization Process
Step One: Know and Understand Yourself
Answers the question, who are you?
- What is your personality and temperament?
- What are your strengths, talents, gifts, passions and calling?
- What are your personhood issues and how do they impact your job behavior and relationships?
- What are your values?
Step Two: Clarify and Simplify Your Job
Answers the question, out of all that you could be doing what is it that you should be doing?
- What is your total area of responsibility? What do you do and why do you do it?
- What are your big rocks, those three or four things that are critical to job and organizational success?
- What are the things that only you can do?
- Who can do the rest of your job now? Who can be trained or hired to do the rest of your job?
Step Three: Align and Focus Your Behavior
Answers the question, how will you insure you follow through?
- How will you daily align and focus your strengths around your job priorities?
- How will you daily align and focus your calling around your job priorities?
- How will you daily align and focus your time around your job priorities?
- How will you daily align and focus your values around your job priorities?
Step Four: Identify and Use Your Tools
Answers the question, how are you going to distinguish good from great?
- What prioritization filters will you use? (Must do, Should do, Nice to do?)
- How will you vet an idea or opportunity? (Alignment with Mission, Vision, Values, Goals?)
- What prioritization tools and techniques will you use? (High, Medium or Low Impact?)
- What time management tools and techniques will you use? (Franklin Covey; Getting Things Done?)
Posted on December 1, 2015
