First Things First

From Leaderpedia

Purpose
 To consider your life purpose.
 To recognize the difference between what is important and what is not.
 To feel an urgency about dedicating your life to what will matter in eternity.
 To adjust attitudes, schedules and habits to better reflect priorities and deal with barriers.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be to given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Exercise
1. (Solo) Read the booklet “Tyranny of the Urgent” by Charles E. Hummel.
 What urgent things are getting in the way of important things for you?
 What important things are being pre-empted by urgent things?
 What is one step you can take to break the tyranny?
 Make a commitment regarding your “one step” and share it with one other who will hold you accountable.

2. (Solo) Read the two articles by H. Dale Burke from Leadership Journal: Leader’s Insight: “I’m Losing My Focus” and “Leader’s Insight: “Getting Results”
 What thoughts are worth remembering?
 What ideas do you want to apply?
 What is your next step?
 Share this “next step” commitment as the one above.

3. (Optional) Read the book or listen to the tape “Ordering your Private World” by Gordon MacDonald

4. (Solo) Reflect on all the things you consider important. Establish three to six areas of focus that you want to make priorities. For example, you might choose family or finances or relationship with Christ or a dream to fulfill. What will come first? How will that happen?

5. (Solo) Write:
 A statement of your life purpose as you currently understand it.
 A list of your current obstacles and plans to overcome them.

6. (Group) Briefly present this to your mentor or coach and incorporate their feedback in re-writing your statement of purpose. Then share the statement and areas of priority with your pastor and your prayer partner. (Optional—share this with your learning group.)

What comes first, the compass or the clock? Before one can truly manage time (the clock), it is important to know where you are going, what your priorities and goals are, in which direction you are headed (the compass). Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important.—Charles E. Hummel