Saw Sharpening

October 16, 2020
by dgbmcc

‘Why don’t you pause and sharpen the saw?’

‘Can’t you see I’m too busy cutting these logs’

Take time to sharpen the saw! If you are not familiar with Dr Steven Covey’s phrase – google it – or check out the info and video at the link below … Covey talks about taking time for Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit – and sometimes it’s as simple as taking time to learn a new skill – how to get the most from an app on your pc or tablet, get the most from the tools of your trade.

What do you need to take time with to help you be a better version of you?

https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/habit-7.html

And a video with an overview of Covey’s 7 habits of effective people.

https://youtu.be/ktlTxC4QG8g

Leadership

Tips for Teachers

October 9, 2020October 9, 2020
by dgbmcc

Tips for teachers from Apple are transferable for Ministers!

General

SMARTER Goals

August 31, 2020
by dgbmcc

You’ll have heard of SMART goals – but what of SMARTER ones!

S Specific

M Measurable

A Achievable

R Relevant

T Time Bound

E Evaluated

R Reviewed

SMARTER Goals: iMindMap mind map template | Biggerplate

General

Before clicking SEND, think TRACKS!

June 8, 2020June 8, 2020
by dgbmcc

Earlier today I sent an email to over 30 colleagues and had omitted to attach the attachments! Then came the flurry of phone calls and emails… “I think you forgot the attachments!” Some email apps do clever things and remind you if you have used the word “attached” but not attached any files. I’m usually quite careful and take a moment to check emails, posts, messages and tweets before zapping them out to others… Thinking about how to be more thorough – I came up with the mnemonic TRACKS to remind me to check:

Typos

Always check emails for typos. Autocorrect is very clever but sometimes gets it embarrasingly wrong – and it’s you that will be embarrassed. Take a moment to read over the email, post, tweet before you send it into the ether.

Recipients

Think about who will read your post. If it’s an email use the To, CC and BCC carefully. If your email is to more than one person a good style is to use ‘To’ for the people from whom you expect action, CC is for information. BCC use carefully! Remember GDPR and dont share email addresses without permission.

Attachments

Have you included all attachments referred to?Is there a better way to share the info – perhaps a link, or sharing to DROPBOX, TEAMS, SLACK or another collaboration tool?

Complete info

If you refer to a meeting on Wednesday, have you also mentioned the time and venue… think ‘complete information’ – even if it’s repeated and was in an earlier communication?

Kind of Conversation

Emails should be kind! Also think of the kind of conversation. A letter, phone call or face to face talk might be a better approach for that difficult conversation.

Subject Line

The subject line is so important. How many emails do you delete on the basis of the subject line? Simply being there is a good start as many spam filters will make assumptions about emails without a subject. It should be clear and concise and relate to the actual subject matter rather than an earlier thread! It’s okay to change the Subject line when replying to an email if the subject has changed!

Remember TRACKS

Before sending an email, post, message or tweet, think TRACKS – Typos, Recipients, Attachments, Complete, Kind, Subject – and then click SEND.

Change

Co-create! Get everyone on board!

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020
by dgbmcc

“We need a sense of ownership.” How often do we hear that – or say that.

BUT, We tend to own things that other people create!

Authorship is better – get everyone involved – all the stakeholders in from the beginning – have everyone involved in co-creating the project, plan whatever.

And when we set up an event, have it all planned and then invite neighbouring congregations and denominations don’t give yourself an ecumenical clap on the back – it’s maybe welcoming and friendly… but true ecumenical working gets together from the start!

Brainstorming

Gnim rots niarb

June 3, 2020June 4, 2020
by dgbmcc

It’s a silent G – pronounced ‘nim rots ny-arb’ No it’s not Gaelic! It’s Brainstorming reversed!

Instead of brainstorming around what you want to achieve… consider what you would do to ensure failure!

It really works well – people will talk much more freely because it’s fun and light hearted… it’s actually really creative and generative.

eg: how to ensure poor engagement with Christmas services.

Don’t advertise, tell everyone the church is closed, hide the minister’s iPad, sing unfamiliar carols, no decorations in Church… you get the idea

And then when you flip the ‘how not to’ ideas you will have loads of really helpful insights…

Next Brainstorm – whether in a group or on your own – do it in reverse…. Gnim rots niarb!

Bonus tip: it’s always good to have brainstormers do some storming on their own first so they ‘hear their own ideas’ before being drowned out by louder voices!

Change

Don’t Procrastinate – Schedule!

June 2, 2020June 2, 2020
by dgbmcc

Putting off until tomorrow is procrastination.

Putting off until a week on Thursday is strategic planning.

also check out: itsforministry.org/101-things-to-do

Feedback

Giving Great Feedback

June 2, 2020
by dgbmcc

Ted Talk TED Talk: The secret to giving great Feedback

Change

Mind Map Everything!

June 2, 2020June 14, 2020
by dgbmcc

Today 2nd June 2020 is World Mind Map Day! I’ve been an avid mind-mapper since the mid 1980s. During University studies which weren’t going too well, discovering mind-mapping transformed me from being on the brink of being ‘chucked out of Uni’ to turning in a piece of work to a lecturer who always said he marked out of 75% – and getting a 76%! It was a turning point in life! I completed the degree, and was able to help some other students to realise their greater potential too.

35 years on, I still mind map everything. Sermons, agendas, reports, shopping lists, brainstorms, decision making and so much more. It just works for me, it’s a brilliant thinking tool, mirroring the way the brain naturally works – making connections, linking ideas and keeping the big picture overview literally in mind.

www.tonybuzan.com is the go to place for all things mind mapping!

TED Talk: Hazel Wagner, explains mind mapping.

Change

Kandinsky Effect!

June 1, 2020June 2, 2020
by dgbmcc

Wassily Kandinsky’s best known painting is probably Color Study: Squares with concentric circles. Behind this superficially simple image ‘that any kid could paint’ lies years of experience, understanding and creativity.

Sometimes we have to allow our training and experience to find expression in simpler ways… engaging memorable ways.

Mark Twain is attributed with the thought, “my spontaneity has taken me years to prepare”

Often ministry appears to be in the simplest and ordinary things, shaped, influenced and informed by years of ongoing honing of our craft.

Category: Leadership

Typos

Recipients

Attachments

Complete info

Kind of Conversation

Subject Line

Remember TRACKS