Productivity Study

In light of recent budget cuts and layoffs at my job, (our team lost 105 hours/29% of our staff)I decided it was time to take a hard look at how productive and efficient we are. So, this week I'm going to share with you... how this experiment is going.

I think we work hard and fast most of the time, but I realize there is a relation side to work/ministry not only with the congregation we serve but also on our team. I know we could work smarter, not just harder. I'm tracking my time at work in 15 increments and will be asking my staff to do this in the upcoming weeks.


Monday worked 8-4pm and some from home

Things which worked 4:00
A week work, B week work, C, D week work, communication- responding to emails etc., 5 minute check in's with staff, cross ministry check in, development work

Necessary things which could have been done more efficiently or by others with better planning 3:00
(unplanned) set design work, (unscheduled)ministry big picture discussions- centered around staff transitions due to layoffs and next years budget, staff advocacy/support- IT concerns, financial reconciliation chasing

Other Stuff 1:30
:45 staff relations/management- sharing real life with ministry staff
:45 personal business; blog, conversations with kids, snacking

Checking In following Day One
* I am interrupted while working and I lose focus ALOT. Working on one task and then stop to answer a random email as it arrives.
* I only got through about 2/3 of what I wanted to today.
* I was short-tempered when I was pulled away from my goals for the day (apologies to Michael our IT guy)
* For someone who doesn't think they take a lunch break, I realize now I do take time for myself during the work day. And, not packing a lunch is stupid, as my productivity wained throughout the day.

How do I balance tasks and people well, while increasing productivity and efficiency?

I'd love some advice...