Oct

24

On Leadership: Budgeting Time, Pt. 1

Posted on October 24th, 2007 in On Leadership by Fred McKinnon

Hey Everyone,

First, I’d like to thank everyone for their encouragement and affirmation on my recording the Christmas CD, “Be Still”. Seems like the comments on the first snippet of “Away in a Manger” suggest that the vision for the CD is clear and the purpose will be fulfilled. Now I just need to hunker down and get it done.

OK, so today’s post … “Budgeting Time”. Not really a “music” or “worship leading” type post necessarily, but definitely a leadership one. And with good leadership and time management, we’ll all be better … “worship leaders”, “pastors”, “fathers”, “wives”, “___________” (fill in the blank).

So, as you may recall Joy and I celebrated a milestone a few months ago … with the exception of our home mortgage, we are officially debt free … both in our personal finances and in my business. We did this by digesting huge quantities of Dave Ramsey radio shows and books and applying what he teaches … which is basic budgeting and stewardship .. timeless truths from the Bible packaged in a funny, straightforward kind of way.

Here’s the deal with that dreaded “B” word … the “Budget”. When Joy and I started making, refining, and living by our budget – we found money we didn’t know existed. We were able to account for every penny that came in and went out. As a result, we could easily discern “where it all went”.

Well, just like it was tough to manage money … I find it very difficult to manage my time. Even after selling my hosting business I still feel that I always have more to do than I can squeeze into a day. Most of us can relate, I’m sure. Joy has been telling me that we have to make a time budget – and begin to account for our time, just like we did our money.

I’m going to do my best to do this. The thought of this “structured time” grinds my gears, and I can get pretty frustrated in an overly “structured” environment, but I know it’s time and I know it’s necessary.

So, I have lots of questions.

1. Do you budget your time?
2. Do you stick to your budget?
3. How did you do it (practically speaking – on paper, spreadsheet, web 2.0)
4. Web 2.0 – no secret I’m an online junky. Is there ANYTHING that makes this easier? Jordon @ WorshipTrench constantly praises Vitalist.Com but I just couldn’t get it … I’m waiting on a chance to call him – he promises that if I just get on the phone and learn it, that it would change my life.

I guess I can just build a Spreadsheet. I could make a separate calendar in iCal.

We’ll continue talking about this some more this week. In the meantime, how about your input and answers to the 4 questions above?

For the Kingdom,
Fred


  • Pingback: Stress Management » On Leadership: Budgeting Time, Pt. 1

  • http://ordinary-radical.blogspot.com russ

    I’m personally a “stop the stupid” man myself. I just try and do things that are “smart” with my time management. I’m not perfect and I’m getting better and better, but here’s an example for me that has greatly affected my marriage (positively).

    I love video games. In fact, I love ONE video game: City of Heroes. It’s an online game that drains hours and hours of my time away.

    At first I justified spending hours online by the fact that my wife is a grad student and is constantly studying. But she would get done and I would keep playing. Now, using a little brainpower, I spend about 2 hours per day online, because it’s my “hobbie” – BUT I wake up when she wakes up, begin playing when she leaves the house, and I keep the nights free for “us” time.

    I still get to play a good bit (I have a lot of online friends, and my brother who lives many hours away and I keep in touch in game), but I’ve shifted my schedule to keep myself from staying up for hours while my lonely wife wonders if I “love” her…

    The thing that has really moved me most in keeping to this schedule is GOOGLE CALENDAR. I know, I know, free and probably not as intensive as GTD, but it works.

    The reminders ROCK! I add everything in my life to my personal calendar and get email reminders and a daily agenda mailed to my inbox every morning.

    To me, it’s a lot more “stick-to-able” then a spreadsheet, and it’s a breeze to maintain.

  • http://www.worshiptrench.com jordan folwer

    Call me TODAY after 3pm and the goodness of Vitalist shall be yours. I’ll show you behind the curtain of the greatest GTD system ever invented as I let you and you alone hack my account. Get my number at http://www.northwoodchurch.org

  • Mom

    Fred,this book I am reading “Ordering Your Private World” by Gordon MacDonald, has two chapers pertaining to this. One is “Has anyone seen my time? I’ve misplaced it” and “Recapturing my time”. He lists some symptoms of disorganization and I can tell you several apply to you (and me and probably the majority out there!) and another little sub-title on budgeting time. I will make copies of this and give to you next weekend if you would like.

  • http://www.RaisingUpWorshipLeaders.com Peter Park

    I am learning to prioiritize my family (specifically my wife). Sometimes this means waiting to write my blog the next day so I can spend some time with her. As far as a money budget goes, it’s getting a little easier. I find the biggest key, which really is not a secret, is lots of prayer.

  • http://www.consumingworship.org Jeff M. Miller

    The number one thing I’ve done in the last 1 1/2 to curb my “packed” life: I don’t bring ANYTHING “work” related home, and I don’t do ANYTHING (within reason) church-related beyond “office” hours unless it is already scheduled (like rehearsals and such). I just determined that if I can’t get my “work” done during “work” hours, then I have too much on my plate and need to learn how to say “no.”

    This isn’t to say that I don’t volunteer and do ministry “things” like any other minister should, and I do still consider myself always on call for any needs that arise. But I’ve also found that many of those volunteer and ministry opportunities that are “extra,” can be turned into family events.

    As far as blogging goes, I often wait to do the major bulk of that until late at night. I’ve always been a night owl, and never fall asleep before 1 AM, no matter what time I awake. The same with my wife. She likes reading late at night, and I will often set-up my “big” posts for self-publishing the next morning/afternoon.

  • http://billychia.com Billy Chia

    Ah man, I wanna hack Jordan’s account. GTD rocks, it’s worth your time.

  • http://rindy.wordpress.com Rindy

    I go through cycles of budgeting my time. I start strong, then begin to drift until I realize, then pull it all back it. I’m reading ‘Simple Church’ and it’s funny because as I’m reading I keep thinking “simple parenting” and “simple life”–I think my time budget would work better if focused on the most important couple of things…simplify…I think I’ll try it!!

  • http://betterthanblank.org alex mclean

    no, no, no, and I get an email from vitalist every day and I still haven’t accessed it… I need help, or I need to be committed.

  • http://genevajan.com/ILTS Jan W’ms

    well first I heard of Vitalist…got me curious now..
    I also have come across Dave Ramsey…he ROCKS! also one from my own state….John Cummuta..had his trial period tools and sent them back. Even tho it is awesome training cannot afford the price wants to keep it…
    I tried Dave’s way….frankly I am in soooo deep there is no hope of coming out without a bankruptcy…..so lots of ‘stuff’ going on here….also shooting for disability…trying to get tests done with no insurance…such a mess…
    all is due to internet…false promises to newbie online going OH WOW! I can make all that and YOU will help me?? HA!
    guess what in most you are left on your own PLUS if not careful have to meet the minimum yourself if you do not get buyers or referrals….all adds up..til if you do not stop it soon enough..it will eat you all up alive..Dave is so right!!

    Fred I am SOOOO PROUD of you that you are DEBT FREE! Would have loved to hear your battlecry!

    now..I do my bills pay online thru billpay..use the spreadsheet….online…

    saw the vitalist…I do my own lists…on paper and tape to the wall until done then begin new one….

    God has me in a spot where HE is all I have left to help here…so much in real world is messing up and too many roadblocks….I just tend to get over stressed….still trying HARD to learn to give it to God and TRUST HIM for it….
    hard stuff for a newbie….
    anyhow Congratulations! and keep up the great work both online and your music…YOU are LOVED dearly!!!
    Jan

  • http://www.shccworship.wordpress.com Steve

    Way cool on being debt free (I’m not worthy…) I don’t budget my time well. I probably should because I work 2 jobs (full time @ Intel and Worship minister) and have a wife and 3 kids. (listen to me cry). Anyways, what little time budgeting I do, I use Outlook calendar.

  • Pingback: FredMcKinnon.Com » Blog Archive » On Leadership: Budgeting Time, Pt. 2

  • Pingback: FredMcKinnon.Com » Blog Archive » On Leadership: Budgeting Time, Pt. 3

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