[don't] do lists

Ever hear of the 80/20 principle: 80% of our effectiveness comes from 20% of what we do. I've been trying to evaluate ways of reversing that in my life.

Most of us lead busy but undisciplined lives. I could easily be a case-study on this. I've become a "to do" lister out of necessity even though I'm not naturally hard-wired to do so.

I read a quote a while back that has helped me:
"Those who build great companies or organizations made much use of 'stop doing' lists as the 'to do' lists."

It goes on to suggest that they displayed a remarkable discipline to unplug all sorts of extraneous junk....They displayed remarkable courage to channel their resources into only one or a few arenas.

Learn to say no. Your no's make your yes's more powerful. As a church planter, it's easy to learn to fill in gaps, do whatever is necessary to meet the need. As a very young but growing church, we're having to almost unlearn those habits.

The common frustration amongst young leaders (myself certainly included) is their inability focus. A lack of focus eventually translates into a loss of vision. When the vision is fuzzy, people can't follow. You know what they call a leader with no followers? Just a guy taking a walk. DON'T DO's allow us TO DO more effectively.

This couldn't be more applicable in my life and probably to most people's lives given the go go go, do do do, produce produce produce mentality we've all been engineered to be.