Wise Timesaving Choices

We live in a world full of choices. We can stay or go, eat or fast, indulge or save. How do we know what to do? It’s hard to live a daily targeted life of impact when we don’t even know what to have for dinner.

Jesus did it this way, “He rose and went out to a lonely place, and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). This is the secret of His life and work – He prayerfully waited for the Father’s instructions and did only what the Father told Him to do.

This week we continue with two more timesaving tips so that we can use time in the service of God’s kingdom and His will.

80/20 Rule

Over 100 years ago, an economist named Vilfredo Pareto discovered a little known law of income distribution which today bears his name, “Pareto’s Law” or what we call the 80/20 principle. What he found was that 80% of the wealth was produced by 20% of the population and more than that, this same principle could be applied almost everywhere.

80% of the consequences flow from 20% of the causes.
80% of the results come from 20% of your effort and time.

80/20 is a powerful principle. Focus on your most effective activities and you may cut your time in half while doubling your results.

Chunk

Chunking is the act of grouping like activities together and performing them all at the same time. It just makes sense.

There is an inescapable set-up time for almost all tasks large or small. Whether you need to gather your thoughts to write that important report, or collect materials to pay the bills – the set-up time is often the same for one as it is for a hundred.

In the book, The Cost of Not Paying Attention, research revealed that there is a 28% time loss when we break up activities. It pays to chunk.

Take regular tasks – answering email, returning phone calls, entering expenses, logging billable hours, etc. and set aside just one period of time to do the whole batch or chunk.

If you make $20 an hour and eliminate the 28% time loss by chunking activities, you will save your company $800.00 a month and free up 10 hours a week!

This week focus on your most profitable tasks, eliminate the ineffective, and group the rest. Your exponential increased impact on the world will make it worth your while.