Being Effective and Efficient

“The number of the disciples increased rapidly.” Acts 6:7 NIV

“Every task that comes your way is not your assignment.”

My thoughts today are about “being effective and efficient.”

Everyone wants life to work well for them. When your life does not appear to be working, it is rather discouraging. Now, sometimes an area of your life may not work well because of inattention, or inadequate effort, or insufficient know-how. You can remedy what you lack more easily than you think. You can restructure priorities, work harder, or gain the knowledge and experience you lack. But if you increase your effort and give more time and still things aren’t working any better than they were, something has to be corrected; changes need to be made. Read Acts 6:1-7.

Today’s Bible passage describes a situation in the young church where they were being effective – “the number of the disciples was increasing,” but not being efficient – “being overlooked in the distribution of food.” A problem became obvious. With the growth, some were not receiving the care that they should. Something clearly needed to change. The question became this: who should be doing this?

Wisely, the apostles decided to identify what others could do well, allowing the apostles to continue doing what they did best, giving time and attention to caring for what God called them to do. See Acts 6:3-5 NIV. They were not shirking their responsibility; they were caring for a more important duty. The result? “The proposal pleased the whole group . . the Word of God spread. The number of disciples increased rapidly.” Acts 6:5/7 NIV. When they allowed others to do what needed to be done while they continued doing what they should do, everyone was happier, leaders more efficient in their efforts, and the church more effective in its results.

How does that apply to your everyday life? Ever hear of the Pareto Principle? I googled “The Pareto Principle” and found it is attributed to Wilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist in the early 20th Century. His premise is widely referenced in business still today that “20% of your effort produces 80% of your success.” Conversely, the premise suggests that 80% of a person’s efforts can be ineffective, contributing only a small portion to one’s success. Why would a person keep doing the same things that haven’t worked before?

Apparently, you can achieve more when you work smarter, nor harder. Identify relationships that do not work, and instead, invest in those that do. Maximize what you do well; minimize what you do not. Devote yourself to what God has gifted and called you to do. Every task that comes your way is not your assignment. If you can identify what is not working for you and apply a greater measure of your time, abilities, energy, and resources where you find the greatest fulfillment and reward, might you not be more effective?

My prayer for you today is that life works out well for you in the most practical ways.