Is It REALLY a New Year?

Let's be honest...how many of us as youth workers really break out of our habits?

We all do it...we've all been there...

The New Year comes and we promise ourselves and others that we will be more organized, better prepared and communicate with more intentionality. It's not that we aren't being truthful, it's just that the nature of youth work can easily creep back in after all of the holiday hustle and we are caught off guard how quickly our routine hasn't really changed.

Here is my advice (for what it is worth)...we each have to tackle each new event or program with a new distinct approach that simply focuses on the little things. In his book, The Compound Effect, SUCCESS Magazine editor, Darin Hardy, writes passionately about how we all try to change too many aspects of our lives all at once. Since reading this resource, I can definitely attest to this type of activity. I understand more now that I need to slow down just a bit (not much) in order to better notice which youth work practices can be trimmed back or added to with more value.

For example, television host, Montel Williams, when speaking to Darin Hardy about his weight loss and current diet says, "I no longer think about what I cannot eat, but more about what I get to eat." Over time he has realized that by adding the value of a few healthier items over time, he has more energy and keeps more weight off; therefore, not missing the countless less healthy items he has replaced.

This practice can apply to our planning of events as well. If you continually find yourself pushing deadlines for having information in parents hands or having details settled for an upcoming mission trip (hey, we can help with that!), there more than likely is the opportunity to break down those processes to their minimum requirements. Remember, a lot of the time, those we serve don't have to have ALL of the details in their hands from the get go. Many parents and fellow co-laborers simply need the pertinent info (dates, location, & estimated costs) in order to keep their calendars and lives in order.

In addition, if you feel like you are continually catching "heat" from the home front for all of the time you are spending in the midst of "good work for kids", you probably need to really listen up. Making a difference for those who support you in what you do doesn't take very much; and actually will go a very long way in their support of you. I remember when I had to switch my thinking...God has called you to be a steward to your own health/faith and that of your family's (if applicable) before that of others. When I realized that I was unintentionally giving my home the leftovers, I quickly saw the opportunity to flip the approach. rather than asking my family to plan according to my youth work needs and schedule I started looking at my work and plans through the filter of my home first. It was amazing how profoundly both aspects actually began to succeed all the more!

Its the little things that bring about a compound effect that nurture huge changes...try it this week!