VIDEO SCRIPT CHAT GPT
Hello everyone! In today’s video, we’ll be discussing how reducing the setup cost of tasks in your ministry can lead to greater efficiency and better use of resources. We’ll also explore the impact of multitasking on our neural pathways. Let’s dive in!

[Understanding Setup Cost] For any task you do in your ministry, time is required to set it up. This is even true with your thoughts. Your consciousness can only focus on one thing at any given time. Multitasking has been shown to significantly reduce the ability to complete tasks efficiently because of the extra time and resources wasted in repeated setup processes. The same principle applies to your ministry.

[The Neuroscience of Multitasking] Our brain has neural pathways that are responsible for sending electrical signals to different areas, allowing us to execute tasks. When we multitask, our mind rapidly shifts back and forth between two or more tasks, forcing the brain to repeat the setup process for each task. This constant switching not only consumes valuable mental resources but also increases the likelihood of errors and reduces overall productivity.

[Reducing Setup Cost] To most effectively steward ministry resources, ask yourself how you can reduce the setup cost. From now on, look at the tasks you have to do and batch them together so that they can be knocked out quickly in one sitting.

[Examples] Here are some examples to think over:

1. Could the vacuuming be reduced to once per week so the chairs and tables don’t have to be put away after every program?
2. If you let your team know that you needed to be left undisturbed for certain blocks of time, you could then use those blocks to do difficult tasks with complete focus.
3. Check your email just once per day, at the same time.
4. Do new visitor follow-ups at the same time on the same day of the week, every week.

[Conclusion] By understanding the neurological impact of multitasking and finding ways to reduce the setup cost in your ministry, you’ll be able to use your resources more efficiently, leading to a more fruitful and effective ministry. Let’s start implementing these strategies today!

[Engagement Question] What other tasks in your ministry do you think could be batched to save resources? Let’s brainstorm a list in the comments we can all use to free up ministry resources.

VIDEO NOTES:

[The Setup Process for Tasks] For any task you do in your ministry, time is required to set it up. This is even true with your thoughts. It has been psychologically proven that people are incapable of thinking about two things at once. Your consciousness can only focus on 1 thing at any given time.

[Multitasking and Its Effects] When you multitask, your mind shifts back and forth between two or more things rapidly. Your mind sends an electrical signal along a neural pathway, accesses the particular area of your brain needed for that task, then uses it to execute the task. When you switch your focus, it takes time for your mind to repeat this whole process (setup) before you can perform the new task. Multitasking has been shown to significantly reduce the ability to complete tasks. This also reduces the efficiency at which tasks are done, because of the extra time and resources wasted in the repeated setup process.

[Applying the Principle to Ministry]

You have probably seen this principle in action before, especially if you’ve tried to print t-shirts for your ministry team. When you print shirts in bulk, you get a discount because it maximizes the use of the machine without having to repeat the setup process throughout.

[Minimizing Resource Drain in Ministry] The same is true for your ministry. Every time you set up for a new program or a service, there is a required resource drain. Every time you stop to answer the phone and then try to get back to what you had been doing, it takes resources to get yourself situated again.

To most effectively steward ministry resources, ask yourself how you can reduce the setup cost.

From now on, look at the task you have to do and batch them together so that they can be knocked out quickly in one sitting.

Here are some examples to think over:

1. Could the vacuuming be reduced to once per week so the chairs and tables don’t have to be put away after every program? A simple change like this reduces the times your volunteers will have to put away the chairs weekly, freeing up their limited energy, time, and attention for more important ministry activities. It also reduces the amount of time spent vacuuming and frees the custodian to do more important things as well.
2. If you let your team know that you needed to be left undisturbed for certain blocks of time, you could then use those blocks to do difficult tasks with complete focus. That way you can get into the flow of the task and capitalize on your limited ability to focus while you have it.
3. Check your email just once per day, at the same time.
4. Do new visitor follow-ups at the same time on the same day of the week, every week.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What other tasks in your ministry do you think could be batched to save resources? Let’s brainstorm a list in the comments we can all use to free up ministry resources.