Want to Truly Destress? Watch This Before Your Next Break

so why is it that when you get back from so why is it that when you get back from vacation it's not long before you're vacation it's not long before you're vacation it's not long before you're just as stressed as you were before you just as stressed as you were before you just as stressed as you were before you left here's why because time off won't left here's why because time off won't left here's why because time off won't heal you when the problem is how you heal you when the problem is how you heal you when the problem is how you spend your time [Music] [Music] on so you're a month or so past on so you're a month or so past on so you're a month or so past Christmas break or summer vacation and Christmas break or summer vacation and Christmas break or summer vacation and you should be full of energy ready to you should be full of energy ready to you should be full of energy ready to tackle all the decisions you left but tackle all the decisions you left but tackle all the decisions you left but for a lot of us let's be honest we're for a lot of us let's be honest we're for a lot of us let's be honest we're not right you get back after your not right you get back after your not right you get back after your vacation after your break and you're vacation after your break and you're vacation after your break and you're exhausted what's worse is after you've exhausted what's worse is after you've exhausted what's worse is after you've taken time off you've got more decisions taken time off you've got more decisions taken time off you've got more decisions to make because they piled up work is to make because they piled up work is to make because they piled up work is piled up and the energy you thought you piled up and the energy you thought you piled up and the energy you thought you built up from your relaxing time off built up from your relaxing time off built up from your relaxing time off vaporizes and you don't know what happen vaporizes and you don't know what happen vaporizes and you don't know what happen so here's the question why doesn't time so here's the question why doesn't time so here's the question why doesn't time off work well there are at least two off work well there are at least two off work well there are at least two reasons why first of all time off won't reasons why first of all time off won't reasons why first of all time off won't heal you when the problem is how you heal you when the problem is how you heal you when the problem is how you spend your time on the problem with most spend your time on the problem with most spend your time on the problem with most leaders and I've struggled with this leaders and I've struggled with this leaders and I've struggled with this myself is not how we spend our time off myself is not how we spend our time off myself is not how we spend our time off it's how we spend our time off most of it's how we spend our time off most of it's how we spend our time off most of us know how to Vacation well right lie us know how to Vacation well right lie us know how to Vacation well right lie on that beach whatever you're doing take on that beach whatever you're doing take on that beach whatever you're doing take a break off we don't know how to a break off we don't know how to a break off we don't know how to vocation well I learned the lesson of vocation well I learned the lesson of vocation well I learned the lesson of time off not refueling you the hard way time off not refueling you the hard way time off not refueling you the hard way in fact the worst summer of my life in fact the worst summer of my life in fact the worst summer of my life happened in 2006 almost 20 years ago so happened in 2006 almost 20 years ago so happened in 2006 almost 20 years ago so personally I had been in leadership for

personally I had been in leadership for personally I had been in leadership for about 11 years at that time and I was about 11 years at that time and I was about 11 years at that time and I was burning out now I kind of suspected burn burning out now I kind of suspected burn burning out now I kind of suspected burn out people told me for years hey you're out people told me for years hey you're out people told me for years hey you're going to burn out but I thought cuz I going to burn out but I thought cuz I going to burn out but I thought cuz I was Stronger than everybody that I could was Stronger than everybody that I could was Stronger than everybody that I could stop it with a vacation because you know stop it with a vacation because you know stop it with a vacation because you know only weak people need to really slow only weak people need to really slow only weak people need to really slow down so I thought take a week off I'll down so I thought take a week off I'll down so I thought take a week off I'll be better and I know lots of people told be better and I know lots of people told be better and I know lots of people told me Carrie you were running at an me Carrie you were running at an me Carrie you were running at an unsustainable Pace but I didn't listen unsustainable Pace but I didn't listen unsustainable Pace but I didn't listen well I didn't listen to them at all well I didn't listen to them at all well I didn't listen to them at all so what happened for me was the burnout so what happened for me was the burnout so what happened for me was the burnout started in May I came home feeling on started in May I came home feeling on started in May I came home feeling on top of the world just spoke at a big top of the world just spoke at a big top of the world just spoke at a big conference by July I was exhausted I conference by July I was exhausted I conference by July I was exhausted I said okay I'm going to take 3 weeks off said okay I'm going to take 3 weeks off said okay I'm going to take 3 weeks off so I took three weeks off and I didn't so I took three weeks off and I didn't so I took three weeks off and I didn't get better I got worse I went back to get better I got worse I went back to get better I got worse I went back to work in August I kind of cratered and to work in August I kind of cratered and to work in August I kind of cratered and to make a long story short it took me more make a long story short it took me more make a long story short it took me more than a year to get back to even than a year to get back to even than a year to get back to even 70% of my normal capacity now there's a 70% of my normal capacity now there's a 70% of my normal capacity now there's a lot of lessons I could unpack in that lot of lessons I could unpack in that lot of lessons I could unpack in that season but you know one of them that I season but you know one of them that I season but you know one of them that I learned along with about a million other learned along with about a million other learned along with about a million other lessons was simply this that time off lessons was simply this that time off lessons was simply this that time off isn't the solution all right if you are isn't the solution all right if you are isn't the solution all right if you are running at an unsustainable pace you're running at an unsustainable pace you're running at an unsustainable pace you're going to have problems if your answer is going to have problems if your answer is going to have problems if your answer is well I just got to get summer vacation I well I just got to get summer vacation I well I just got to get summer vacation I just got to take a longer Christmas just got to take a longer Christmas just got to take a longer Christmas break I just need a weekend off because break I just need a weekend off because break I just need a weekend off because how I spent my time off wasn't my how I spent my time off wasn't my how I spent my time off wasn't my problem time off can't save you if the problem time off can't save you if the problem time off can't save you if the problem is how you spend your time on problem is how you spend your time on problem is how you spend your time on that's the undeniable lesson so the

that's the undeniable lesson so the that's the undeniable lesson so the problem for most exhausted and depleted problem for most exhausted and depleted problem for most exhausted and depleted leaders isn't vacation it's vocation see leaders isn't vacation it's vocation see leaders isn't vacation it's vocation see here's what was wrong back in 2006 I was here's what was wrong back in 2006 I was here's what was wrong back in 2006 I was living at an unsustainable pace and as living at an unsustainable pace and as living at an unsustainable pace and as the church I led grew and it was growing the church I led grew and it was growing the church I led grew and it was growing rapidly my formula was simple and it was rapidly my formula was simple and it was rapidly my formula was simple and it was stupid more people equals more hours and stupid more people equals more hours and stupid more people equals more hours and that is fundamentally unsustainable and that is fundamentally unsustainable and that is fundamentally unsustainable and a lot of you are struggling with that a lot of you are struggling with that a lot of you are struggling with that right now right you just have more right now right you just have more right now right you just have more responsibility things are growing and responsibility things are growing and responsibility things are growing and you're like well I'll just work more you're like well I'll just work more you're like well I'll just work more hours figuring out how to manage your hours figuring out how to manage your hours figuring out how to manage your time and energy when you're on will time and energy when you're on will time and energy when you're on will solve the problem taking more time off solve the problem taking more time off solve the problem taking more time off will not and this leads me to number two will not and this leads me to number two will not and this leads me to number two this is why sabatical and leaves this is why sabatical and leaves this is why sabatical and leaves generally don't solve burnout now this generally don't solve burnout now this generally don't solve burnout now this might get me cancelled but I don't think might get me cancelled but I don't think might get me cancelled but I don't think sabatical work in fact I went into a sabatical work in fact I went into a sabatical work in fact I went into a whole rant about it with Mark Clark on a whole rant about it with Mark Clark on a whole rant about it with Mark Clark on a podcast episode last year all right but podcast episode last year all right but podcast episode last year all right but here's here's my challenge with it right here's here's my challenge with it right here's here's my challenge with it right so many leaders I talk to I get puzzled so many leaders I talk to I get puzzled so many leaders I talk to I get puzzled by this they're likewell I'm just going by this they're likewell I'm just going by this they're likewell I'm just going to take a sabatical and every seven to take a sabatical and every seven to take a sabatical and every seven years or 10 years or five years they years or 10 years or five years they years or 10 years or five years they take a sabatical and what they do is take a sabatical and what they do is take a sabatical and what they do is they they they overwork for years and then say three overwork for years and then say three overwork for years and then say three months off is going to solve it and months off is going to solve it and months off is going to solve it and let's imagine okay let's play this game let's imagine okay let's play this game let's imagine okay let's play this game let's say you got a villa in France let's say you got a villa in France let's say you got a villa in France let's say it's a five-star place you're let's say it's a five-star place you're let's say it's a five-star place you're out looking over the Mediterranean it's out looking over the Mediterranean it's out looking over the Mediterranean it's amazing okay and you come back you feel amazing okay and you come back you feel amazing okay and you come back you feel great you know what happens to a lot of great you know what happens to a lot of great you know what happens to a lot of leaders first Monday back roadkill it's leaders first Monday back roadkill it's leaders first Monday back roadkill it's just like boom everything you left just like boom everything you left just like boom everything you left behind just conspires against you so

behind just conspires against you so behind just conspires against you so here's why I believe a sabatical good as here's why I believe a sabatical good as here's why I believe a sabatical good as it may be is not the solution for an it may be is not the solution for an it may be is not the solution for an unsustainable Pace a sustainable pace is unsustainable Pace a sustainable pace is unsustainable Pace a sustainable pace is the solution for an unsustainable pace the solution for an unsustainable pace the solution for an unsustainable pace so when the way you're living and so when the way you're living and so when the way you're living and leading is broken all the time off in leading is broken all the time off in leading is broken all the time off in the world won't fix it so the question the world won't fix it so the question the world won't fix it so the question is well what do you do well I have a is well what do you do well I have a is well what do you do well I have a deep and robust strategy that's helped deep and robust strategy that's helped deep and robust strategy that's helped me deal with everything in life and me deal with everything in life and me deal with everything in life and Leadership that's been thrown at me and Leadership that's been thrown at me and Leadership that's been thrown at me and it's helped me for over 20 years now in it's helped me for over 20 years now in it's helped me for over 20 years now in just a couple minutes I'm going to share just a couple minutes I'm going to share just a couple minutes I'm going to share three very practical things you can do three very practical things you can do three very practical things you can do right now that're going to help you get right now that're going to help you get right now that're going to help you get through this season of overwhelm you may through this season of overwhelm you may through this season of overwhelm you may be in but first I want to extend an be in but first I want to extend an be in but first I want to extend an invitation okay here's what a lot of invitation okay here's what a lot of invitation okay here's what a lot of leaders get wrong they're thinking well leaders get wrong they're thinking well leaders get wrong they're thinking well I kind of missed this new year and so I I kind of missed this new year and so I I kind of missed this new year and so I got to wait until next January to fix my got to wait until next January to fix my got to wait until next January to fix my overwhelm well I got good news for you overwhelm well I got good news for you overwhelm well I got good news for you on February 3rd I'm kicking off a full on February 3rd I'm kicking off a full on February 3rd I'm kicking off a full 4-we highly productive leader challenge 4-we highly productive leader challenge 4-we highly productive leader challenge designed specifically for leaders who designed specifically for leaders who designed specifically for leaders who feel stuck in the cycle of overwhelm now feel stuck in the cycle of overwhelm now feel stuck in the cycle of overwhelm now this isn't about sprinting at an this isn't about sprinting at an this isn't about sprinting at an unsustainable Pace it's not about unsustainable Pace it's not about unsustainable Pace it's not about powering up or powering through all powering up or powering through all powering up or powering through all right you tried that guess what it right you tried that guess what it right you tried that guess what it doesn't work you know what it is about doesn't work you know what it is about doesn't work you know what it is about it's about breaking free from the it's about breaking free from the it's about breaking free from the patterns that keep you too busy so you patterns that keep you too busy so you patterns that keep you too busy so you can do what matters most you know you can do what matters most you know you can do what matters most you know you always kick your sermon prep to tomorrow always kick your sermon prep to tomorrow always kick your sermon prep to tomorrow and then you kick it to Thursday and and then you kick it to Thursday and and then you kick it to Thursday and then suddenly it's Saturday this is what then suddenly it's Saturday this is what then suddenly it's Saturday this is what what I want to help you solve so that what I want to help you solve so that what I want to help you solve so that work doesn't keep eating up your family work doesn't keep eating up your family work doesn't keep eating up your family time so what's going to happen inside time so what's going to happen inside time so what's going to happen inside the challenge I've got OnDemand learning

the challenge I've got OnDemand learning the challenge I've got OnDemand learning group accountability and live coaching group accountability and live coaching group accountability and live coaching with me and you'll gain practical tools with me and you'll gain practical tools with me and you'll gain practical tools they're going to help you finally get they're going to help you finally get they're going to help you finally get ahead on your priorities to feel ahead on your priorities to feel ahead on your priorities to feel inspired and not feel rushed I'm going inspired and not feel rushed I'm going inspired and not feel rushed I'm going to help you reclaim your time for your to help you reclaim your time for your to help you reclaim your time for your family and your personal life maybe you family and your personal life maybe you family and your personal life maybe you were planning to work out and you were planning to work out and you were planning to work out and you haven't done that yet guess what we'll haven't done that yet guess what we'll haven't done that yet guess what we'll show you exactly how to make the time to show you exactly how to make the time to show you exactly how to make the time to do that do that do that I'm going to show you how to make real I'm going to show you how to make real I'm going to show you how to make real progress on your goals without burnout progress on your goals without burnout progress on your goals without burnout this isn't about powering up okay in this isn't about powering up okay in this isn't about powering up okay in less than 90 minutes each week you'll less than 90 minutes each week you'll less than 90 minutes each week you'll take huge steps forward to become more take huge steps forward to become more take huge steps forward to become more productive more impactful and more in productive more impactful and more in productive more impactful and more in control of your calendar your life and control of your calendar your life and control of your calendar your life and your time and as a bonus this year I'm your time and as a bonus this year I'm your time and as a bonus this year I'm going to do something fun I've never going to do something fun I've never going to do something fun I've never done this before I'm hosting an done this before I'm hosting an done this before I'm hosting an exclusive live coaching session focused exclusive live coaching session focused exclusive live coaching session focused entirely on how to work ahead on your entirely on how to work ahead on your entirely on how to work ahead on your sermons so you can break free from the sermons so you can break free from the sermons so you can break free from the crushing weekly deadlines that destroy crushing weekly deadlines that destroy crushing weekly deadlines that destroy your Saturdays right you'll actually get your Saturdays right you'll actually get your Saturdays right you'll actually get a Saturday off and what if you could be a Saturday off and what if you could be a Saturday off and what if you could be not just one week but two three four not just one week but two three four not just one week but two three four weeks ahead on your sermon prep I'm weeks ahead on your sermon prep I'm weeks ahead on your sermon prep I'm going to show you exactly how to do that going to show you exactly how to do that going to show you exactly how to do that you don't have to run on empty to join you don't have to run on empty to join you don't have to run on empty to join the challenge simply visit productive the challenge simply visit productive the challenge simply visit productive 2025. it's not too late okay this year 2025. it's not too late okay this year 2025. it's not too late okay this year is not blown make February the turning is not blown make February the turning is not blown make February the turning point for your year and for your point for your year and for your point for your year and for your ministry all right promised you three ministry all right promised you three ministry all right promised you three things you could do right now this think things you could do right now this think things you could do right now this think of this as a little deposit before the of this as a little deposit before the of this as a little deposit before the challenge I think they're going to make challenge I think they're going to make challenge I think they're going to make a big difference number one first thing a big difference number one first thing a big difference number one first thing you can do make some categorical

you can do make some categorical you can do make some categorical decisions categorical decision making is decisions categorical decision making is decisions categorical decision making is a superpower for leaders who have too a superpower for leaders who have too a superpower for leaders who have too much to do and almost every leader has much to do and almost every leader has much to do and almost every leader has too much to do these days so by default too much to do these days so by default too much to do these days so by default here's how you make decisions in here's how you make decisions in here's how you make decisions in leadership you do them one by one right leadership you do them one by one right leadership you do them one by one right as they come at you well one of the best as they come at you well one of the best as they come at you well one of the best ways to simplify decision- making is to ways to simplify decision- making is to ways to simplify decision- making is to think in categories because if you look think in categories because if you look think in categories because if you look at it a lot of the decisions you make at it a lot of the decisions you make at it a lot of the decisions you make have similarities for example when this have similarities for example when this have similarities for example when this ministry I do to church leaders started ministry I do to church leaders started ministry I do to church leaders started to grow I was faced with a bunch of to grow I was faced with a bunch of to grow I was faced with a bunch of requests for things like podcast requests for things like podcast requests for things like podcast interviews we get on my podcast right interviews we get on my podcast right interviews we get on my podcast right webinar appearances online events and webinar appearances online events and webinar appearances online events and even to join staff meetings virtually so even to join staff meetings virtually so even to join staff meetings virtually so it got overwhelming at first and at the it got overwhelming at first and at the it got overwhelming at first and at the beginning my team and I looked at every beginning my team and I looked at every beginning my team and I looked at every single request individually and we single request individually and we single request individually and we waited but as it piled up we started to waited but as it piled up we started to waited but as it piled up we started to notice patterns all right often we get notice patterns all right often we get notice patterns all right often we get like half a dozen requests a day and like half a dozen requests a day and like half a dozen requests a day and here's what we did to handle volume we here's what we did to handle volume we here's what we did to handle volume we moved to categorical decision making moved to categorical decision making moved to categorical decision making here are the events I decided ahead of here are the events I decided ahead of here are the events I decided ahead of time I'm going to speak at here are the time I'm going to speak at here are the time I'm going to speak at here are the ones I won't here's the kind of meetings ones I won't here's the kind of meetings ones I won't here's the kind of meetings and webinars I'll take here's what I and webinars I'll take here's what I and webinars I'll take here's what I won't do and we just sat down and we won't do and we just sat down and we won't do and we just sat down and we made some decisions all right now what made some decisions all right now what made some decisions all right now what that did um I'll give you current that did um I'll give you current that did um I'll give you current example is it frees up your example is it frees up your example is it frees up your decision-making power even your mental decision-making power even your mental decision-making power even your mental capacity so current example ex Le I capacity so current example ex Le I capacity so current example ex Le I don't do individual coaching now I have don't do individual coaching now I have don't do individual coaching now I have one leader I coach I've coached him for one leader I coach I've coached him for one leader I coach I've coached him for years and other than that I don't make years and other than that I don't make years and other than that I don't make room in my calendar for it um but in the

room in my calendar for it um but in the room in my calendar for it um but in the last few weeks I had one leader offer me last few weeks I had one leader offer me last few weeks I had one leader offer me a huge amount of money to coach him he's a huge amount of money to coach him he's a huge amount of money to coach him he's like what's it going to take I'll pay it like what's it going to take I'll pay it like what's it going to take I'll pay it I said no because I got to keep time I said no because I got to keep time I said no because I got to keep time available to do other things that are available to do other things that are available to do other things that are arguably more important then I had a arguably more important then I had a arguably more important then I had a really sweet aspiring author asked me if really sweet aspiring author asked me if really sweet aspiring author asked me if I could coach her and you know what I I could coach her and you know what I I could coach her and you know what I really wanted to do it I wanted to both really wanted to do it I wanted to both really wanted to do it I wanted to both these actually but I couldn't do it so these actually but I couldn't do it so these actually but I couldn't do it so instead I gave her a gracious reply and instead I gave her a gracious reply and instead I gave her a gracious reply and I got her the help she needed by I got her the help she needed by I got her the help she needed by redirecting her to someone who could redirecting her to someone who could redirecting her to someone who could coach her but it was in the end a no on coach her but it was in the end a no on coach her but it was in the end a no on both occasions now that was a lot easier both occasions now that was a lot easier both occasions now that was a lot easier because the decision was made ahead of because the decision was made ahead of because the decision was made ahead of time and I don't have to occupy all time and I don't have to occupy all time and I don't have to occupy all kinds of mental bandwidth going should I kinds of mental bandwidth going should I kinds of mental bandwidth going should I do this should I not decisions done do this should I not decisions done do this should I not decisions done decisions made the result when you make decisions made the result when you make decisions made the result when you make categorical decisions is your team has categorical decisions is your team has categorical decisions is your team has Clarity you have Clarity and actually Clarity you have Clarity and actually Clarity you have Clarity and actually the people you serve get clarity too no the people you serve get clarity too no the people you serve get clarity too no he doesn't do counseling or he doesn't he doesn't do counseling or he doesn't he doesn't do counseling or he doesn't do this or he doesn't do that plus I do this or he doesn't do that plus I do this or he doesn't do that plus I have the time now to work on really big have the time now to work on really big have the time now to work on really big projects and new writing that nobody projects and new writing that nobody projects and new writing that nobody ever asked me to do but I need to do ever asked me to do but I need to do ever asked me to do but I need to do this if I'm going to serve you well so this if I'm going to serve you well so this if I'm going to serve you well so what kinds of things can you what kinds of things can you what kinds of things can you categorically eliminate well this will categorically eliminate well this will categorically eliminate well this will take you a while to think through but take you a while to think through but take you a while to think through but over the years I've done things like over the years I've done things like over the years I've done things like categorically eliminate doing weddings categorically eliminate doing weddings categorically eliminate doing weddings and funerals I know you're like whoa and funerals I know you're like whoa and funerals I know you're like whoa you're a pastor how can you do that I you're a pastor how can you do that I you're a pastor how can you do that I don't do weddings and as a rule I don't don't do weddings and as a rule I don't don't do weddings and as a rule I don't do funerals I don't do pastoral do funerals I don't do pastoral do funerals I don't do pastoral visitations we ended up with a very big visitations we ended up with a very big visitations we ended up with a very big church couldn't do it anymore did it church couldn't do it anymore did it church couldn't do it anymore did it when it was small couldn't do it when it when it was small couldn't do it when it when it was small couldn't do it when it was bigger I don't do breakfast meetings was bigger I don't do breakfast meetings was bigger I don't do breakfast meetings because I am the most productive in the

because I am the most productive in the because I am the most productive in the morning I don't do lunch meetings for morning I don't do lunch meetings for morning I don't do lunch meetings for the most part or even meetings that last the most part or even meetings that last the most part or even meetings that last over an hour now I got a whole list of over an hour now I got a whole list of over an hour now I got a whole list of categorical decision making that I categorical decision making that I categorical decision making that I follow but those are just some examples follow but those are just some examples follow but those are just some examples now when you make decisions like this now when you make decisions like this now when you make decisions like this this is going to force you to create this is going to force you to create this is going to force you to create systems for these important things that systems for these important things that systems for these important things that are not depend on you and far more are not depend on you and far more are not depend on you and far more empowering to your team because your empowering to your team because your empowering to your team because your team is now going to know oh these are team is now going to know oh these are team is now going to know oh these are his criteria they might even be able to his criteria they might even be able to his criteria they might even be able to say no on your behalf so I always get say no on your behalf so I always get say no on your behalf so I always get asked Well Carrie do you ever make asked Well Carrie do you ever make asked Well Carrie do you ever make exceptions and the truth is yeah I do exceptions and the truth is yeah I do exceptions and the truth is yeah I do okay not often but if my niece asks me okay not often but if my niece asks me okay not often but if my niece asks me to do her wedding guess what I'm doing to do her wedding guess what I'm doing to do her wedding guess what I'm doing it okay and no I don't have 150 nieces I it okay and no I don't have 150 nieces I it okay and no I don't have 150 nieces I just have a handful of nieces but if just have a handful of nieces but if just have a handful of nieces but if they want me to do their wedding I'm I'm they want me to do their wedding I'm I'm they want me to do their wedding I'm I'm available okay if other people complain available okay if other people complain available okay if other people complain well you didn't do mine but you did hers well you didn't do mine but you did hers well you didn't do mine but you did hers it's like well you're not my niece okay it's like well you're not my niece okay it's like well you're not my niece okay you have to have categories like that you have to have categories like that you have to have categories like that and what you'll discover is the best and what you'll discover is the best and what you'll discover is the best leaders are top of their field not leaders are top of their field not leaders are top of their field not because they say yes but because they because they say yes but because they because they say yes but because they have thought through how to have thought through how to have thought through how to strategically say no and it's your strategically say no and it's your strategically say no and it's your ability to say no that really sets you ability to say no that really sets you ability to say no that really sets you apart categorical decision-making saves apart categorical decision-making saves apart categorical decision-making saves mental energy and a tremendous amount of mental energy and a tremendous amount of mental energy and a tremendous amount of time because you already made the time because you already made the time because you already made the decision case closed move on okay that decision case closed move on okay that decision case closed move on okay that was a big Riff on categorical was a big Riff on categorical was a big Riff on categorical decisionmaking but the second thing you decisionmaking but the second thing you decisionmaking but the second thing you can do right away I just call it can do right away I just call it can do right away I just call it simplify simplify simplify you really simplify simplify simplify you really simplify simplify simplify you really want Simplicity this one's very easy to

want Simplicity this one's very easy to want Simplicity this one's very easy to understand very difficult to implement understand very difficult to implement understand very difficult to implement okay complexity in leadership is your okay complexity in leadership is your okay complexity in leadership is your enemy and many leaders have a a strategy enemy and many leaders have a a strategy enemy and many leaders have a a strategy or a system that's overly complex and or a system that's overly complex and or a system that's overly complex and complicated now the problem with complicated now the problem with complicated now the problem with complexity is complexity doesn't scale complexity is complexity doesn't scale complexity is complexity doesn't scale and at a certain level it's also and at a certain level it's also and at a certain level it's also exhausting right you don't even know how exhausting right you don't even know how exhausting right you don't even know how it works and nobody knows how it works it works and nobody knows how it works it works and nobody knows how it works and it's just it's tiring so the more and it's just it's tiring so the more and it's just it's tiring so the more complicated things get the more complicated things get the more complicated things get the more discouraged you and your team get so discouraged you and your team get so discouraged you and your team get so complexity is the enemy of what you want complexity is the enemy of what you want complexity is the enemy of what you want to accomplish the secret to to accomplish the secret to to accomplish the secret to scale is Simplicity now simple is not scale is Simplicity now simple is not scale is Simplicity now simple is not simplistic and simplistic isn't simple simplistic and simplistic isn't simple simplistic and simplistic isn't simple as Woody Guthrie said any fool can make as Woody Guthrie said any fool can make as Woody Guthrie said any fool can make something complicated it takes a genius something complicated it takes a genius something complicated it takes a genius to make it simple so you're going to to make it simple so you're going to to make it simple so you're going to have to do some hard work you've got to have to do some hard work you've got to have to do some hard work you've got to sit down you got to look at the whole sit down you got to look at the whole sit down you got to look at the whole thing why is it complicated how can we thing why is it complicated how can we thing why is it complicated how can we simplify it and great leaders stick with simplify it and great leaders stick with simplify it and great leaders stick with a problem or idea long enough and they a problem or idea long enough and they a problem or idea long enough and they engage it deeply enough to clear away engage it deeply enough to clear away engage it deeply enough to clear away the fog and to reduce the concept to its the fog and to reduce the concept to its the fog and to reduce the concept to its simplest form so anyone can understand simplest form so anyone can understand simplest form so anyone can understand and implement it and that's your job so and implement it and that's your job so and implement it and that's your job so ask yourself what things can you stop ask yourself what things can you stop ask yourself what things can you stop doing so you can start doing more doing so you can start doing more doing so you can start doing more important things a simpler leaner model important things a simpler leaner model important things a simpler leaner model will help you thrive in complicated will help you thrive in complicated will help you thrive in complicated times now I'll give you an easy cut okay times now I'll give you an easy cut okay times now I'll give you an easy cut okay you're like well where would I start you're like well where would I start you're like well where would I start well how about this there is a Ministry well how about this there is a Ministry well how about this there is a Ministry or program in your church or your or program in your church or your or program in your church or your organization that you have to

organization that you have to organization that you have to manufacture energy for you know the one manufacture energy for you know the one manufacture energy for you know the one that almost nobody shows up to but you that almost nobody shows up to but you that almost nobody shows up to but you keep running anywhere and you have to keep running anywhere and you have to keep running anywhere and you have to promote it because it's kind of failing promote it because it's kind of failing promote it because it's kind of failing here's a simple thing simplify it by here's a simple thing simplify it by here's a simple thing simplify it by cutting it just kill it okay it's it's cutting it just kill it okay it's it's cutting it just kill it okay it's it's barely alive anyway it doesn't take a Le barely alive anyway it doesn't take a Le barely alive anyway it doesn't take a Le to kill something that's on life support to kill something that's on life support to kill something that's on life support so just just get rid of it there now you so just just get rid of it there now you so just just get rid of it there now you got a simpler model OKAY the more got a simpler model OKAY the more got a simpler model OKAY the more complex the world becomes the simpler complex the world becomes the simpler complex the world becomes the simpler your approach needs to be all right your approach needs to be all right your approach needs to be all right third thing you can do is Ditch the third thing you can do is Ditch the third thing you can do is Ditch the endless workday work week okay the endless workday work week okay the endless workday work week okay the boundaries between work and home are as boundaries between work and home are as boundaries between work and home are as blurry as they have ever been as we blurry as they have ever been as we blurry as they have ever been as we continue to work from home more and more continue to work from home more and more continue to work from home more and more and you're like well wait wait wait I and you're like well wait wait wait I and you're like well wait wait wait I have an office I go into the office well have an office I go into the office well have an office I go into the office well yes but you also have one of these and yes but you also have one of these and yes but you also have one of these and you got a laptop and maybe you have you got a laptop and maybe you have you got a laptop and maybe you have tablet all right now I have been working tablet all right now I have been working tablet all right now I have been working from home for most of the last 30 years from home for most of the last 30 years from home for most of the last 30 years for personal reasons I actually prefer for personal reasons I actually prefer for personal reasons I actually prefer it even when we had a building I would it even when we had a building I would it even when we had a building I would often work from home two or three days a often work from home two or three days a often work from home two or three days a week now it took me years to figure out week now it took me years to figure out week now it took me years to figure out how to do it well but I'm more convinced how to do it well but I'm more convinced how to do it well but I'm more convinced than ever that you need a strategy so than ever that you need a strategy so than ever that you need a strategy so that you're not working at 10:00 at that you're not working at 10:00 at that you're not working at 10:00 at night right your daughter wants to watch night right your daughter wants to watch night right your daughter wants to watch Disney plus and you're sitting there and Disney plus and you're sitting there and Disney plus and you're sitting there and your phone's chirping your laptop's open your phone's chirping your laptop's open your phone's chirping your laptop's open and you're not really paying attention and you're not really paying attention and you're not really paying attention but your coworker has has a question but your coworker has has a question but your coworker has has a question about the expense report like what do about the expense report like what do about the expense report like what do you do right so the problem and and you do right so the problem and and you do right so the problem and and technology has been great but it's been technology has been great but it's been technology has been great but it's been super challenging is you used to go to super challenging is you used to go to super challenging is you used to go to the office but thanks to technology now the office but thanks to technology now the office but thanks to technology now the office goes to you so even if you the office goes to you so even if you the office goes to you so even if you quote work from the office you bring the

quote work from the office you bring the quote work from the office you bring the office home and this technology is fully office home and this technology is fully office home and this technology is fully capable of interrupting you anytime capable of interrupting you anytime capable of interrupting you anytime anywhere even on vacation even when anywhere even on vacation even when anywhere even on vacation even when you're asleep so because I love what I you're asleep so because I love what I you're asleep so because I love what I get to do I've had to force myself to get to do I've had to force myself to get to do I've had to force myself to make hard stops I tell myself okay the make hard stops I tell myself okay the make hard stops I tell myself okay the laptop is going away I'm going to do a laptop is going away I'm going to do a laptop is going away I'm going to do a hard close I'm going to turn off all hard close I'm going to turn off all hard close I'm going to turn off all notifications on my device I'm going to notifications on my device I'm going to notifications on my device I'm going to move my phone out of my bedroom at night move my phone out of my bedroom at night move my phone out of my bedroom at night in fact I charge it here in my office in fact I charge it here in my office in fact I charge it here in my office that's several floors down from where I that's several floors down from where I that's several floors down from where I sleep and I decided that some things can sleep and I decided that some things can sleep and I decided that some things can wait okay you just can't answer wait okay you just can't answer wait okay you just can't answer everything all the time you want a good everything all the time you want a good everything all the time you want a good little hack to help you break your work little hack to help you break your work little hack to help you break your work technology addiction I'll give you one technology addiction I'll give you one technology addiction I'll give you one get a hobby okay if you get so engrossed get a hobby okay if you get so engrossed get a hobby okay if you get so engrossed in something whether it's a workout in something whether it's a workout in something whether it's a workout regime or you love barbecue like I do regime or you love barbecue like I do regime or you love barbecue like I do you you'll lose a desire to even check you you'll lose a desire to even check you you'll lose a desire to even check your phone because you're so busy with your phone because you're so busy with your phone because you're so busy with something else that's occupying your something else that's occupying your something else that's occupying your focus and a lot of leaders have no hobby focus and a lot of leaders have no hobby focus and a lot of leaders have no hobby so now you know okay three things make so now you know okay three things make so now you know okay three things make some categorical decisions simplify some categorical decisions simplify some categorical decisions simplify simplify simplify and put in some hard simplify simplify and put in some hard simplify simplify and put in some hard stops so you can ditch the endless work stops so you can ditch the endless work stops so you can ditch the endless work week your phone is not your friend put week your phone is not your friend put week your phone is not your friend put these three actions into play and I these three actions into play and I these three actions into play and I think you're going to start to see some think you're going to start to see some think you're going to start to see some movement and if you're ready to make a movement and if you're ready to make a movement and if you're ready to make a real difference to really I know we're real difference to really I know we're real difference to really I know we're off to you know a slow start here you're off to you know a slow start here you're off to you know a slow start here you're like my New Year's resolutions didn't like my New Year's resolutions didn't like my New Year's resolutions didn't really work out I hope you'll join me in really work out I hope you'll join me in really work out I hope you'll join me in the highly productive leader challenge the highly productive leader challenge the highly productive leader challenge this February you know why we did it in this February you know why we did it in this February you know why we did it in February not January because everybody's February not January because everybody's February not January because everybody's doing it in January and a month later

doing it in January and a month later doing it in January and a month later there's a lot of people going H it there's a lot of people going H it there's a lot of people going H it didn't work well I've got good news you didn't work well I've got good news you didn't work well I've got good news you can join us at productive 2025. comom can join us at productive 2025. comom can join us at productive 2025. comom and remember we're in this together okay and remember we're in this together okay and remember we're in this together okay so drop a comment let me know what is so drop a comment let me know what is so drop a comment let me know what is the most challenging aspect of you the most challenging aspect of you the most challenging aspect of you keeping your time manageable like what keeping your time manageable like what keeping your time manageable like what do you struggle with most drop it in the do you struggle with most drop it in the do you struggle with most drop it in the comments and maybe we can help each comments and maybe we can help each comments and maybe we can help each other