Have you ever had a 6am meeting when you wanted to scream that words, “WHAT’S THE POINT OF THIS MEETING?!?!” You dragged yourself out of bed barely had time to swallow a cold pop-tart on your way to the church. Now you sit in a meeting with a dry agenda simply going through the motions about next week’s fall chili-cook off. A simple informative email from the bishop may have bestowed you anther hours sleep, but instead you had to come to a meeting to hear about it.
Purpose is key in all actions a leader takes – especially when calling meetings. Lack of purpose is also found in assignments, routines, or activities.
Even God created all things to bring about his eternal PURPOSES. All leaders must ask “WHY?” more often.
- Why are we having a 6am Ward Council meeting?
- Why are those two assigned as home teaching companions?
- Why are we sewing orange monkeys for a relief society activity?
- Why do we cook chili as a ward each fall?
- Why do we verbally excuse the Deacons to sit with their families after the sacrament?
- Why do we print a program before the meeting?
Asking yourself why seems simple, right? David Allen calls this “advanced common sense” in his book Getting Things Done.
Allen gives six valuable reason about “Why”.
- It defines success
- It creates decision-making criteria
- It aligns resources
- It motivates
- It clarifies focus
- It expands options
For the next week ask yourself why before each action you take, meeting you call, or routines you do. If it doesn’t have purpose in it CANCEL IT! Once those you lead find purpose of heart they [will] cleave unto the Lord.