A good leader has many inputs to help develop strong output, but right now it is time for me to focus on a few less inputs to reduce the noise. Here’s what I’m doing this week in the digital world to make sure I’m hearing what is important and not just filtering through piles and piles of stuff to find the good stuff.
Being more selective with the blogs I read
I’m reducing the number of blogs I read because some of the sources aren’t contributing to my journey. Not all blogs are worth being read, so I’m removing the feeds I used to like, blogs that have really dropped in quality content or blogs I bookmarked on a whim in the first place. Blogs that are only a distraction aren’t worth following, they’re probably worth visiting from time to time.Reducing the number of Twitterers I follow
I love Twitter, but there’s a ton of noise coming through that channel as well. I dropped about 40% of the people I was following, not because I don’t like them but because everything was getting too noisy and to hear what I wanted it was time to cut.Removing Instant Messenger
This morning I deleted my Windows Live chat program. I didn’t use this input that much honestly, so this one was the easiest to let go. It set up false expectations that I could be reached every time I sat down at the computer, and was just a general bother. Gone!Deleting My MySpace Account
This one was long overdue, I have become the worst MySpacer ever, logging in once a month at best. It was hard to give up my big-time status with 622 friends (ha!), but let’s be honest, Facebook is a better tool right now and this one is just leftover noise.
Are you reducing any noise in your life this week? Do it …
JG
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
I’ve been thinking of pruning down my google reader list as well, I might give up some of the blogs I rarely read and some that are updated so often that I don’t really read (I’m looking at you Engadget).
I use Digsby to keep me connected to my email, messaging, myspace, and facebook. I don’t really use myspace, but some of my teens do so I’ll keep it around.
I am starting to come to grips with my obsession with “checking” things online and at times it can become a disruption to my productivity. I might need to take some more drastic measures (like manditory tech/internet day off, etc.).
so I guess my blog about lessons from motherhood and adoption is out, huh?
I mostly agree with you. I’ve never used an IM; I use Bloglines, which allows me to arrange blogs into folders. I’ve set up the blogs I read into folders ’1′ thru ’9′ and rate/move them as I read them. They start at ’5′. Anyone that has been moved into ’9′ doesn’t get a read. How about that for geeky micro-managing control-freak?
Not sure I would agree with deleting your MySpace account though – just put a note there to point folks to Facebook. I rarely use either, but I think it’s important to keep control of my online identity.
confucious says: “man who resists the urge to clutter his/her life with lots of noise now, will seldom have to remove the messy noises later.”
(is delivered much better via the “yoda voice” i am typing in)
So I am guessing morethandodgeball.com should always be on my list.
Another suggestion I read about was scheduling during the day when to log in to e-mail and respond. I know it is hard that every time you here the sound that a new message has been downloaded so this is a tough one. I am also realizing my time on Facebook is way out of control and need to address it.
@Scott … surely, MTDB makes the cut, right?
JG
@Josh – I think its wise. Our world is too noisy already. Now, I’d have to keep my myspace. A number of my students are still there – so I keep it up for them. Sorry to see you stopped following my tweets.
Much love,
/TC/
@Terrace I cut off a ton of Tweets … I’ll still see any @joshuagriffin replies though. Sorry, man …
JG
Josh, I agree with reducing the noise as well. I have been reading your blog and listening to the SYM podcast for a while and was wondering how you did it all!?!?!?! I recently deleted about 10 podcasts that I subscribe to. Don’t worry, SYM made the cut!
Any consideration to how much time you spend on theforce.net and how it competes for your time against youth ministry? I work a non ministry job and have been struggling with how my non ministry job gets in the way of doing youth ministry! I am close to making a break from my non ministry job into full time youth ministry. I really am cheating (In Andy Stanley’s words) my non ministry job in favor of youth ministry.
Brian
Way to go man! I’m constantly getting distractions out of my life… I don’t know why I’m so tempted to subscribe to nonsense blogs. I usually watch them for a week, then think, “why am I wasting my time with this?” Great reminder–I probably need to o through them again!