Have you ever worked long and hard, all day, only to discover at the end of your day you really accomplished nothing? Yes, it is true you can have activity without productivity. The more that I work with Pastors and Christian leaders, the more I see that the majority of their time is spent putting out fires instead of expanding their ministry. If this has been your mode of operating, I encourage you to no longer operate in firefighter mode but to know that expanding your reach is your number one priority.
If your serious about expanding your ministry each day you should invest time in activities that expand your reach. The amount of time that you will need to invest depends on the goals of your organization. I recommend that you devote 2-4 hours each day on activities that will expand your ministry. I know that this may be hard for you to grasp at first however; this is what it takes if you’re serious. Without people to serve your ministry has no reason to exist. First, I want to list some of the tasks you absolutely should not do during your dedicated EYR time:
- Check voicemails
- Plan or book travel
- File
- Run errands
- Balance your checkbook
- Talk to staff members
- Engage in idle chat
- Plan meetings
- Respond to low-priority e-mail
- Surf the internet
- Pay bills
- Take or make personal phone calls
- Watch television
- Explore new apps
Sample EYR activities to consider focusing on, depending on your niche, your unique grace, and your expansion plan include:
- Building strategic alliances
- Teaching
- Writing (sermons, articles, newsletter, blog)
- Speaking
- Recording videos and audio spots
- Social media (if applicable)
- Website updates
- Networking
- Creating systems
- Sending out cards
- Education
- Creating products
- Business development
- Hosting events
Expanding Your Reach Assignment
- Make a list of all the tasks that you perform in a typical week. Be specific.
- Identify activities that do not expose new people to your mission. Prepare to eliminate or delay them.
- Schedule 2 hours each day during which you focus on activities that expand your reach. (minimally, 10 hours a week)
Are you ready to expand your reach but not quite sure which expansion activities fit your audience or your message? Join Janice at her Road to Expansion Live Event where you will have access to one-on-one help and so much more. Click here to register today!