Talent: Time Management

Happy Friday to you. I’m so looking forward to a few days off! Weekends are such a blessing in my life. I’m sure it’s that way in your life as well.

I can’t get off the topic of talents and using them in service to others. But today, I’m convicted on using my time well, as well.

Now, the story I’m sharing with you today, has gotten me some grief from my friends Andy and Allen. But I still want to share it with you anyway, because some days I feel like I accomplish so little.

“Have you ever heard the story about the farmer who told his wife one morning that he was going out to plow the “south forty?” He got off to an early start so he could oil the tractor. He needed more oil, so he went to the shop to get it. On the way to the shop, he noticed the pigs weren’t fed. So he proceeded to the corncrib, where he found some sacks of feed. The sacks reminded him that his potatoes were sprouting. When he started for the potato pit, he passed the woodpile and remembered that his wife wanted wood in the house. As he picked up a few sticks, an ailing chicken passed by. He dropped the wood and reached for the chicken. When evening arrived, the frustrated farmer had not even gotten to the tractor, let alone to the field.

“How many times have you found yourself in a similar situation? You intended to do something you know was important, but were distracted and never accomplished what you set out to do. Or perhaps you can think of something that you have always wanted to do but can never find time for. By the same token, are you aware of something that you do often that is a waste of time?” Managing our time well is a talent.

The author continues, “Do you remember the parable of the talents as it is recounted in Matthew 25:14-30? Jesus tells a story of a master who gave three of his servants money (talents) to invest while he was away. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to a third servant, one talent. When the master returned, he asked all three to account for the money. The servants who had received five and two talents, respectively, were rewarded, for both had doubled their talents through wise investments. The third servant, however, had done nothing with his talent. Because of this poor performance, no reward was given, and in fact, his talent was taken away from him and he was punished.

“One of the many lessons to be learned here for us is that God expects us to invest whatever He gives us. Often we think of God’s blessings in terms of money or material goods. But time is also a gift of God, one that He has given all of us equally each day, and we are expected to use it wisely.

“Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15,16)”

From the book, Managing Yourself by Stephen B. Douglass

I have LOTS of friends who are using their God-given talents well. It’s always such a blessing to see what God is doing in their lives. A few come to mind:

The first that comes to mind is Robert (Bob) Bell. In the middle of this recession, he quit his job and started his own photography studio. You can check out his passion/work at: http://rbellphotography.com/

Another friend, that I thought of, who is pursuing her passion and using her talents is my friend, Debbie Cunningham. She’s a full-time mom and Jazz Vocalist. She’s amazing! Check out Debbie at: http://debbiecunninghamjazz.com/

And the third friend, who came to mind, is Rachel Kelley. Rachel is a busy mom who loves to be creative (i.e. pumpkin cookies). So, she wrote and self-published a children’s book. (Her mom did all the artwork!) It’s a great story with a valuable lesson for kids. I love how she goes into the schools and reads the story to the kids and gets them to talk about their talents! My copy of her book arrived today in the mail! You can get more info at: http://michaelkelleyproductions.com/store/

I’m inspired by others who spend their time and talents making this world a better place. I hope that Sarah and I can do our best to use our God given talents in a way that will brighten someone’s day as well! www.swaythemovie.com

Celebrating Gifts

I believe that it is impossible to sustain momentum toward any personal or professional goal without paying careful attention to our gifts and talents. We need to not only be aware of our strengths but nurture them and take time to improve upon our skills. If you’ve ever worked for me before, you know that it’s so very important to me to know what makes you tick and for you to be aware of it as well.

Anytime I begin a new job, I always suggest (sometimes require) that my new staff read “Leadership is an Art” by Max DePree. It is my favorite management book and is quite the easy read. The first chapter begins . . .

“My father is ninety-six years old. He is the founder of Herman Miller, and much of the value system and impounded energy of the company, a legacy still drawn on today, is a part of his contribution. In the furniture industry of the 1920s the machines of most factories were not run by electric motors, but by pulleys from a central drive shaft. The central drive shaft was run by the steam engine. The steam engine got its steam from the boiler. The boiler, in our case, got its fuel from the sawdust and other waste coming out of the machine room – a beautiful cycle.

The millwright was the person who oversaw that cycle and on whom the entire activity of the operation depended. He was a key person.

One day the millwright died.

My father, being a young manager at the time, did not particularly know what he should do when a key person died, but thought he ought to go visit the family. He went to the house and was invited to join the family in the living room. There was some awkward conversation – the kind with which many of us are familiar.

The widow asked my father if it would be alright if she read aloud some poetry. Naturally, he agreed. She went into another room, came back with a bound book, and for many minutes read selected pieces of beautiful poetry. When she finished, my father commented on how beautiful the poetry was and asked who wrote it. She replied that her husband, the millwright, was the poet.

It is now nearly sixty years since the millwright died, and my father and many of us at Herman Miller continue to wonder: Was he a poet who did millwright’s work, or was he a millwright who wrote poetry?

. . . It is fundamental that leaders endorse a concept of persons. This begins with an understanding of the diversity of people’s gifts and talents and skills.

Understanding and accepting diversity enables us to see that each of us is needed. It also enables us to begin to think about being abandoned to the strengths of others, of admitting that we cannot know or do everything.

The simple act of recognizing diversity in life helps us to connect the great variety of gifts that people bring.” (pp 5-7)

I highly suggest you read this book. It’s worth your time.

Take a few moments to think about what special gifts and talents you have to offer. What can you contribute that no one else can? Are you wasting your God-given talents? (Matt. 25:14-30)

Start today to change your world, one person at a time, by being a blessing to others and using your gifts to make someone’s day better.


Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.