My friend John who blogs at Creativityist has a great post comparing GTD software options Things vs. Omnifocus. Many people are trying to choose which is better now that Things is out-of-beta and you must purchase a license.

NYT posted an article on Mark Driscoll: Who Would Jesus Smack Down. HT: Laura

Atheist proclaims, “Africa truly needs God.” Very interesting, I read this last week and Dodson linked it today.

Steven Bush asked a really good question, “What is your church doing in your community?” Go and respond!

Nick has stopped blogging until the conflict with Israel/Palestine is resolved.

Interview with NT Wright: Responding to Piper on Justification.

Usually every morning I write down my three key action items of the day. So for today its:

1. Prepare for Help End Local Poverty’s strategy meeting that I have for tomorrow.
2. Clear email inbox. (It’s been weeks)
3. Make sure all key docs get sent to the printer. (which is basically delegated)

Those are my big action items that I must get done. Then I write a secondary list:

1. Write blog post.
2. Read 2 chapters of a book. (this is research and education for non-profit)
3. Send emails to key contacts.
4. Study for a future article I’m writing on poverty.

I use Things as my key organizer. Every morning I take a look at all that needs to get done and make decisions on today’s agenda. For me this is really helpful. If I do this on a consistent basis I tend to feel good about my rhythm but not overwhelmed, yet I’m productive and efficient.

My ultimate goal is not to get to technical. I leave plenty of wiggle room. But I always ask myself the following question:

“What needs to get done this week…And if It does not get done it will actually hurt the organization?”

After I ask that question I work backwards. Usually the list is really short. My goal is to have two or three big items; these items require most of my focus and demand a lot of energy throughout the week.  Once I have this info in place I can understand how my week will shape up. The most important thing is making sure I don’t get stuck doing all the things that don’t have to get done but will keep you busy. This is a killer to any great organization and will ruin one’s productivity in a heartbeat.

I try to get out daily. Head to coffee-shops such as Sodade or Thunderbirds or schedule one or two lunch appointments a week. This is huge so I don’t become like a zombie.

Pro’s

• It’s convenient. Everything is always close to me. Phone, fax, key documents etc. I never have to “run to the office” to pick stuff up.
• No commute: This is so huge. I save time and money everyday.
• Kids: I watch my kids everyday after school. I still get to work and I don’t have to pay someone to care for my kids. Win-win.
• Cost: I don’t have to drive, save wear and tear on my car. I eat lunch from home and coffee is cheap.
• Productivity: I’m able to get a lot done. I just focus and go for it everyday.
• Forces me to be in the community.

Con’s

• Sometimes I don’t have an “off” switch.
• I don’t have time to switch from work to being at home.
• I get bored at times.
• No one else is around to chat with.
• Sometimes I work to much. I can work all day, eat dinner and hang with the family. But then I go back into the office and work late-nights. This is both good and bad. After a few “3AM” nights I’ve had to learn to “shut-it-off” no matter what.

I love having a home-office. I still miss being around an office filled with lots of people. There are benefits for sure. Someday I hope to have that again. But for now I’m content and feel productive.

Before we get to that let me say this. I’ve become an affiliate with 37 Signals. What that means is this: When you click on the graphic below and sign-up then I will get some cash so I can pay for my monthly Backpack, Campfire and Basecamp fees for HELP. Just a simple way to keep cost low and productivity high.

Now onto the issue at hand:

We all have data to collect, store and process. I start-by the process by using Things. My first-step to collecting info is using this program on my Mac or iPhone. It works great. Everything starts here.

If a task is considered a project then I move that to either Backpack or Basecamp. Here is how I differentiate the two: Basecamp is for all things team-oriented. I use Backpack for my personal to’do projects. If my project is connected to larger projects I do my portion in Backpack and them communicate tp the team in Basecamp.  I’ve used this product for over a year and I’m very happy with it.

Vista used basecamp for a longtime and it really helped keep key volunteers in the loop. One of the tough issues a mobile organization faces is manging information and tasks. Basecamp fills that void quite well. It’s quick, simple and effective. Great app for those who work in mobile environments especially if you have a team of people.

Do yourself a favor, sign-up and try it out. Hopefully your organization will become more effective.

I don’t want ministry to control my life. I don’t want to be addicted to success or driven to the edge of insanity in the name of mission. Now, I want to be driven and I hope God will bring forth fruit. But I want healthy rhythms. I want to spend deep time with my wife and kids, I want to enjoy life, spend time with friends, drink great wine, read amazing books, travel the world, etc.

I’ve been so exhausted the past few weeks and I’m recognizing  I need to make some key changes. I need to create more margins and activity that will replenish my soul. It takes discipline and focus to achieve this. I have to say no to many good things so I can say yes to the best things, which will create more room to relax and breath and slow down.

So I need help from this blog audience. I have a question and I would love for your input.

Here it is. Do you take Monday or Friday off and why. Tell me what works better for you.

Monday: Elder Meeting-Help End Local Poverty Planning.

Tuesday: Staff Meeting-Sermon Prep-HELP meeting at night.

Wed: Leave for Dallas-4-5 meetings in Dallas.

Thur: Turbo Conf. w/Bob Roberts Jr.

Fri: Turbo Conf-Drive back to Austin

Saturday: Watch the girls-finalize sermon.

Sunday: Speak at Vista-Rest

Man I love it. I get to do what I love: Speak, learn and hang with people and find ways to to reach and help our world. Amazing.

So here are some things that I’m cutting out for a season.

• Blogs: Too many can be a bad thing. I can spend way to much time and energy. So many great bloggers, but I had to cut some. If you’re a friend or live in Austin, then I will keep reading. I think I’m going to cut 50%.
• Books on Church: I think we can read so much that we actually get over-loaded with ideas and info. I want to read some biographies, personal/spiritual growth books etc. No more “this is how you do church books!”
• Internet: My laptop had become a virtual chain. Wherever I go, so goes my laptop. I’m going to do my best to stay away from the net as much as possible.
• Procrastination: I want to have a laser focus, work hard and be productive. I can’t accomplish this if I procrastinate.
• TV: Necole and I only watch a handful of shows. Heroes, Criminal Minds & Chuck. That basically it. And that is good.
• Social Networking: I’m still debating this. I hate Myspace and Facebook. I love Virb. I think I will have to keep Facebook (I almost deleted it last week) but I think its worthwhile. I wish Virb would catch on more. I want a simple, yet effective site. I don’t care about pirates and 100,000 applications. Content is king, all the crap gets in the way.

Anyhow-just some simple ways to make sure I prioritize and connect with God, my family and friends. I hope my mind will be clear and I can get some more rest. We shall see.

Those are some practical ways to uncluttered my mind…At least for a season.

Do you need to do the same? If so, how…What can you do to simplify?