How to Lead a Retreat Without Being a Micromanager

3212571064_64b82deef5_mA retreat is a great opportunity to step away from ordinary life and reconnect with God.  I've been attending (and later on leading) retreats since I was in high school.  I needed a nudge in my faith and thankfully, a buddy of mine essentially forced me to go.  Not that I knew it at the time but he knew what I didn't- being a Christian involves being in relationship with Jesus Christ.  Much more than just doing Christian-looking things like attending a church. Since that retreat, my life has never been the same.

I'm currently working with my local group to put on a retreat in November.  Here are some of the ways that we've been prepping for what we hope will be a family-friendly event:

  1. Have a clear reason to host a retreat. In our case, it was twofold: to be of service to those who live in our area and to provide them with a glimpse of our spiritual tradition.  It's important to communicate clearly with those who will attend as to your intention for the day.  If you are recruiting, say so.  If you are just trying to educate, say so.

  2. Involve those that are leaders. Our group is essentially a community of leaders so everyone has a job and each of us has pitched in in one way or another.  For the most important part- inviting others- each person has a role to play.

  3. Delegate where you can. Sensing that I couldn't be the point person for the upcoming retreat, I was very comfortable letting a smaller group of members coordinate the event.  I just kept tabs on their progress and put in my two cents where necessary.  They have tons of ownership as a result and I haven't had to do all of the work.

  4. Promote well. Nothing beats personal invitation but strong print materials are also essential.  Folks will judge you based on how you look on paper.  (here is our promo flyer)

  5. Content matters. A local retreat house is struggling and I believe it's partly due to their leaning towards a more New-Age style of spirituality.  If you're looking for a retreat, remember that strong content can never be substituted with fads.  Ask around and seek out those who have attended good retreats.  They are often reliable witnesses to the kind of content that you may be seeking.


So far, the response to our initial invites have been positive.  I'm hoping that you'll consider a retreat at some point in the next year.  By the way, if you're in New Jersey and would like to attend our November retreat, don't hesitate to email me directly at mike@thedailysaint.com and I can forward more information.

*Photo by AngelAcevedo

Give Your All: Ok but Why?

3750549462_9dffc7555f_mI was driving back to the office yesterday after a meeting with a supporter of our school.  We had chatted about what it was like when he was a student, where he had gone with his career and how we felt we could connect in the coming months.  On the ride back, I dictated notes into my iPhone (a great app called Note2Self) and thought out follow up steps.

  • Mike, don't forget to send a note to ...

  • Mike, be sure to call...

  • Mike, add to your list the following...


For me, the 20 minute ride back to the office was a productive use of time.  I suppose that I could have listened to talk radio (which I also enjoy) but on this particular day, it was all about work.  By the time I arrived back at the office, I was ready to roll into the next part of the day.

Why do I mention all of these seemingly ordinary parts of my schedule?  Because it confirmed for me that each of us is called to GIVE OUR ALL to God.  Whether you're at home with your kids or you're the placekicker for the New York Giants, giving your all is remarkably satisfying.

The thing of course is that "all" is quite demanding.  Sometimes it asks that we surrender 20 minutes of our day in order to dictate notes into a gadget.  At other times, it asks that we work a bit longer in the day.

What I've realized, and this is key, is that it's not about giving your all or not giving at all. That's a false dichotomy.  Rather, it's often about giving all or giving some. And some just doesn't seem to maximize the gifts that God has entrusted to us.  Here are some examples:

  • In Marriage:  imagine telling your spouse, "I'll love you 70%".

  • In Friendship: imagine committing to be honest with your friends "most of the time".

  • In Family: imagine supporting your kids with their homework "but only every other day".


These examples show that giving some just doesn't cut it.  Giving all is hard work and often feels too difficult.  Giving all can be inconvenient.  Finally, giving all can be costly.  I guess that's why we are called to give all.  As Mother Theresa once said, "Love until it hurts", so each of us is called to step out and step up.  At home.  At work.  "All" can take place wherever you are.  You just have to work at it, commit it to God and look for ways to give more.

With this said, which area of your life can you recalibrate so that "all" shows up more often than its cousin, otherwise known as "some"?

*Photo by Scarlatti

An Old Testament Lesson in Blessings

Today's Mass readings speak of the power of God to bless not only parents but children as well.  It's similar to a cascading waterfall that looks for nooks and crannies to fill only it's not about water at all.  It's about God's favor and blessing.

Time and time again in the Bible we see stories of God choosing to bless kids just because of the faith of their parents.  It's as if God was saying, "any son of Joe's is a friend of mine!"  In Genesis- back to today's reading ( Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22), the Scriptures say the following:
God further said to Abraham:
"As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai;
her name shall be Sarah.
I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her.
Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations,
and rulers of peoples shall issue from him."

The phrase that struck me was "Him also will I bless".  As a pure result of parental faith, the child was given special favor.

How is your faith blessing your children?  How about your work life?  Are you providing both an example and an income?  These questions are what I'll bring to prayer this weekend as we continue to go deeper in our insights about the spirituality of work.

*Photo by T.Blue

Kicking Off Summer in Style

In our small town here in New Jersey, Memorial Day weekend is done up with style.  From the decorations around town to the Memorial Day parade (which starts late and then lasts about 20 minutes) to the opening of the town lake, the last weekend in May is always festive.

After the parade, my family decided to go to the local beach.  The town ships in sand for this "lake", a small pond that is flanked by a playground, cooking pavilion and automobile parking.  The recreation commission opens the lake every Memorial Day weekend for anyone and everyone to visit.  Best of all, it's free.

Not only is the lake free for touring during Memorial Day but they provide free hot dogs and drinks.  As we were there for a couple of hours and I switched between wading in the murky lake (need to work on the algae- note to self) and the ever-popular tire swing, I counted about 200 people enjoying the sand and sun.  You do the math- 200 people and free hot dogs.  That doesn't even take into account the other folks who went to the lake before we got there.

On my way home, I thought about this some more.  Maybe it was because my son ate three hot dogs all by himself or maybe it was because it was such a great day.  On the other hand, I realized that a conscious choice had been made by the recreation commission to provide for such a day.  They didn't have to give families a free day in the sun.  They didn't have to provide free food for hundreds of folks.  All of this during a recession, mind you.

THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION

I'd say that the Memorial Day festivities and the decisions of the recreation commission were entirely spiritual.  They considered something besides the bottom line so that families could spend time together.  They saw the value in recreation and fun.  Thanks to all who serve behind the scenes to make our town's lake a place for families to enjoy.

*Photo by IAMCharlie

Why All That Productivity Stuff Still Matters

Ok, so The Daily Saint has put one foot outside of the productivity world and we're now focusing on faith at work.  As a blogger, this is an interesting endeavor.  There are all sorts of questions that I've asked myself.  Focus more on my own Roman Catholic tradition?  Teach people how to pray more often?  Add more Scripture quotes to add some spice to weekly posts?

And one lingering question that I just can't get away from is this: does the productivity stuff matter at all? Is there more than gadgets and online apps?  Do sites like 43 Folders make any difference in my life outside of work?  The answer is a resounding YES.  But the reason might surprise you.

Origins

I first got into the productivity scene as something of a hacker.  As an educator, I prided myself on the gadgets and gear that often accompany folks who get things done.  Since few teachers are also interested in productivity, I also stood out from the crowd.  I once piloted a Palm Pilot (no pun intended) project by which students would beam me their assignments.  Very fun, especially considering they were 7th graders and it was 10 years ago.

As The Daily Saint blog then took off, I decided to get more serious, focusing on work-related issues and time management basics.  I plumbed David Allen's GTD methodology and found it surprisingly spiritual.

Discovery

What I have discovered over and over again is this: work can be as prayerful as prayer can be "workful".  The distance between my spiritual life and my life at work is shrinking with each day.  Sure, I work in a faith-based setting so it's a bit easier to talk the talk.  Walking is where things get difficult.

So how does all of the productivity stuff impact one's faith?  Here are some suggested points for discussion:

1. Productivity points to a higher purpose for working. Let's face it- you either work to live or live for working.  Or, maybe a third option is now emerging- how work can serve the rest of your life's priorities and how those other things can flow back into work.  Here's what I mean- my family life makes me more effective at work precisely because I have a life outside of work.  On the flip side, my work provides my family with a context for doing good.  I get to do so many amazing things at work and my family supports this ministry.  If they didn't, I couldn't throw myself into my work as much as I do.

2. Productive work will get you into the zone. Think of the last time that you lost track of time by engaging your work.  This could have been folding the laundry, doing some gardening or clearing out your in-box.  It doesn't matter- work can be richly fulfilling and it often helps you to get into the zone.  And zoning is profoundly spiritual.  The next time you're there, enjoy the ride.  I think God is there to be found in the world of to-do's, meetings and calendar items.  If He cares about the environment, global poverty and those inflicted with disease, I'd like to think that my ordinary schedule is also fodder for his blessing and intervention.

3. Productive organizations can change the world. The Timberlands, Interface Floorings and FranklinCoveys of the world are doing amazing things and doing business differently.  FranklinCovey is closed on Sundays. Timberland is obsessive about the prevention of sweatshop labor in relation to its products.

So where are you at with your own productivity?  And how can you allow it to impact your faith-filled life?

*Photo by TXKIMMER