Clear Your Calendar

by Chris Wesley

It’s the end of the year and for many of us the days are moving faster and the amount of work is multiplying at a neck breaking speed. In youth ministry you have those seasons that pull, push and beat you up. The ones where you wonder whether or not you can hold on for another round. You try to tell yourself, “This season will be over soon and then I will rest.” But the end never comes and the busyness continues on.

The solution to combating those busy seasons is by simply CLEARING YOUR CALENDAR. That’s right take an eraser, whiteout, samurai sword or hand grenade and blow that thing up. Actually, take a breather, refrain from using those measures and try these four steps instead:

STEP #1: Prioritize Your Week

Look at what you do and categorize them in the following ways:

  • Must-Do
  • Negotiable
  • Totally Unnecessary

If everything appears as a must do then sit down with a trusted friend or coworker and have them analyze your schedule with you. Let them ask why and whether something can be adjusted or eliminated. Put what’s important in your highly motivated times. Delegate and eliminate the unnecessary and watch your calendar breathe.

STEP #2: Frame Out Your Days

It might differ depending on the day; however, by marking down consistent start and end times into your schedule you will create a framework of discipline.  The reason your day runs long is because there are no boundaries. With no boundaries chances are you are taking too many breaks because you do not feel the pressure of a deadline. By finding that you can work 40 hours in a week and still be effective is liberating. It allows you to have a life outside of youth ministry.

STEP #3: Build In ME Time

You might be incredible at scheduling your professional life; but, how are you at your personal? It sounds wrong to plan in quiet time, family time and even when you eat; however, if you find work bleeding into home life you need to take drastic measure. By building in ME time you’ll find your relationship with God and others drastically improve.

STEP #4: Revisit Consistently

Granted you can’t always plan a busy season; however, as you feel the pace of your schedule change take the time to look at your calendar. Repeat steps 1-3 and make the adjustments that are necessary to survive and thrive. Have someone you know analyze your calendar with you. Allow them to tell you where they see holes and areas of improvement.

While you can’t clear you calendar completely, you can take better control of when you need to do what you do. It’s not the most attractive discipline; however, by managing your time you enable yourself to grow as a leader and youth minister.