Some Interruptions Are Divinely Appointed. Most Are Not

Can you get a grip when juggling your work gets out of hand? Try the four R's!

Dividing your time among the four R's means every leader must learn the art of juggling, and it begins by choosing carefully what you juggle—and when. The best jugglers may toss handkerchiefs, batons, or torches, but they never juggle everything people throw their way. Likewise, healthy leaders learn to juggle selectively.

H. Dale Burke groups all his activities into four major categories. By setting aside time for each one, he can better keep his work balanced with his family and his spiritual life. Fewer things get dropped. He calls the categories his "Four R's":

1. Rest time—focusing on my spiritual and marital health.

2. Results time—focusing on the main things God has for me personally in advancing his mission.

3. Response time—focusing on "stuff," administration and follow up with others who need my input.

4. Refocus time—focusing on evaluating what my priorities should be.

In another article Dale explores the critical distinction between results time and response time. To read this article follow this link.