An Infinite Workday
How To Quit Working All The Time
Microsoft recently published its findings from observing trillions of data points from their Microsoft 365 products and found that people are now working what they’ve termed an "Infinite Workday."
By 6am, people are checking email, and some are still in meetings past 8pm. And when it comes to interruptions, they happen every two minutes during core work hours!!
While this type of workday may be new to some workers, pastors have been struggling with this reality for years. Especially pastors who have little or no staff. This challenge has only grown with the rise of mobile devices and constant connectivity.
Pastors don't clock in at 9 and clock out at 5. Their workday is unpredictable at best. A congregant’s emergency can quickly derail a pastor’s well-planned day of study.
This reality is not going away, and I am not writing to complain or whine about it. However, we must find ways to ensure that we are not working around the clock.
There's so much I could say about this, but you're already overworked, so I'll keep it to just four suggestions to conquer a never-ending workday:
Build plenty of Margin into your Schedule
Emergencies, drop-by visitors, and numerous other unexpected events appear out of nowhere in a pastor's week. Leave room in your schedule for them. Intentionally block out time and label it Margin. Use this time to catch up or get ahead, depending on how the week goes.
Utilize all types of Pastoral Care
I've been in vocational ministry for almost three decades, and I've done my share of pastoral care. I'll never forget the lesson our Pastoral Theology professor shared with us in class one day. While I can't remember his exact words, the lesson was this: The phone is your friend. Use it. Granted, this was back in the 90s, and there were few cell phones, but his point was well taken. Calling members will save you time!
As I understand it, there are four main types of personal pastoral care: sending a card, sending a text, making a phone call, or making a personal visit. Using all four types will save you tons of time! The trick is to know which one to use, when to use it, and with whom you can use it. This comes down to two main requirements: knowing your people and knowing their situation.
This must be done prayerfully, but you can figure out the best means to provide care for your members. In reality, a mixture of these is most effective for long-term care.
Block out time for Deep Work
I'm a big proponent of making a time budget with time blocking. I've written about it here. Block out time for deep work. Deep work, as Cal Newport states in his book by the same title, is valuable, rare, and meaningful. In these times of concentrated work, put your cell phone in a different room, shut down your email program, and put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door. Should a true emergency arise, rest assured, they will let you know.
Schedule time for Rest and Days Off
When I say schedule this time, I mean it. Put it on your calendar as an appointment and treat it like any other commitment. Schedule nights off. Schedule days off. Schedule vacations, kids’ ball games, and date nights. Schedule that ball game you want to watch on TV, even! Add it to your calendar and enjoy it.
Practicing these four steps should help you make significant strides in achieving a work-life balance. And don’t forget this fact that D. Scott Hildreth & Steven McKinion share in their new book, Serving Jesus Without Burning Out: “Workaholics Don't Die Winners; They Die Empty.” Wow!
*The article I referenced about Infinite Workdays
*The full report from Microsoft