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by Cherly Carter
Over the years, I have been involved in leadership capacity with many Christian groups, organizations and even my local church but I learned the most when my husband and I were State Regional Representatives for our Christian homeschool support group. Besides assisting several groups in the New York City/ Long Island area, we were often besieged with homeschool inquiries. We learned two essential time management principles.
ONE
Guard against distractions entering your home
A distraction causes you to lose focus. Distractions come in many forms. For most leaders it is usually the telephone. The telephone interrupts. It is just not good leadership to be at anyone’s beckoning call. Turn off the telephone and the ringer too. I have found even wondering who is calling can be a distraction for me. Therefore, I turn off the ringer so I will not even know if someone is calling. I trust my answering machine. In this way, I set boundaries and my family knows they do not have to compete with the telephone for my attention.
TWO
Don’t Give Serious Time to Casual People
The above statement almost sounds sacrilegious but it is not. Jesus knew who to invest His time in. We too must be careful not to give serious time to casual people. Our time should be sowed in our purpose and fruitful work. We all know this but sometimes others will tug at our heartstrings. They do not necessarily deserve an inner circle relationship with us. Jesus spent time with the multitudes. He also spent time with the twelve disciples. He also spent time with just John, Peter and James. It is quite biblical to have boundaries in our affairs with others.
We have to be clear about our boundaries. Once I had a mother call me one week before traditional school began to tell me she wanted to homeschool. Have you read any books? Attended any support group meetings? Do you visit some of the homeschool websites? Talked to any other home schooling parents? Have your chosen a curriculum? Is your husband in agreement with your decision? She had done none of these. Most disturbing was the fact that she was not readily willing to do preparation work.
Violating this principle, I reluctantly and regrettably gave her too much of my time as she particularly concerning her immediate needs of curriculum and paperwork. Over time, she began to drain to me because she refused to do anything proactive. Eventually and lovingly, I refused to help her until she make some efforts to help herself. Not surprisingly when I pulled back, she latched onto another leader in the group to zap her energy
I have learned even more to trust my instincts and not give serious time to casual people as I guard the distractions that try to get me to lose focus.
About the author:
Cheryl R. Carter is the author of Chasing God and the Kids Too and Getting Organized and Staying Organized, A Practical Guide for Christian Mothers. Visit www.Momtime.net for more organizing tips.
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