Tag Archive for: productivity

The Miracle Morning

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The start of a new year and hanging of a pristine new calendar, often stirs in us a desire to review our plans, goals, and personal productivity. Hal Elrod’s book, The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM), details one approach to invigorating and accelerating the goals you’ve adopted. The approach is simple … discipline yourself to wake up one hour earlier and use the time for focused concentration on important areas of your life. While Elrod’s motivation may be different than some, this short read can serve as a springboard to adopting a healthy early-morning habit.

Application/audience

This book and the concept of starting your day with Bible study, prayer, exercise, journaling, reading and planning are something everyone can consider. As Christians, we are called to work while it is day at the tasks the Lord has prepared for us. Many WELSTech-ers have calls in the public ministry while many others are dedicated volunteers and leaders in their congregations and schools. Why not consider adding an early morning routine to your day to find out if it helps you as you carry out your public and personal ministry.

Related resources

There’s no shortage of self-help/personal productivity books on the market. Elrod himself advocates for reading other authors during your designated 10 minute reading time and adapting your “Miracle Morning” regime based on things you uncover during your reading. Here are just a few possibilities to get you started.

See All Ministry Resources

439 – The New Frontier in Productivity

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The WELSTech discussion this week centers around the tools for personal productivity and why it may be time to make a switch. Sallie’s laced up her red shoelaces for a special day and there’s a brand new photo challenge for April. Tune in for the details!

The discussion:

So many great tools – Personal productivity, a favorite topic on WELSTech, is front and center as Martin and Sallie do a run down of the multitude of tools that enhance calendaring, task management, communication, collaboration and document storage. Is it the right time for a change?

News in tech:

Amazon Echo Dot – CNET review

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Gospel Outreach With Media online conference

Featured video:

Featured in the Gospel Outreach With Media conference is an article from videographer Jonathan Witte where he shares ideas on Christian Media for a Non-Christian Audience. As an example, Jonathan shares one of his most popular videos, a parody which features the Martin Luther College Cafeteria – Singing in the Shower by Becky G – Caf Edition – and we’ve added it to our WELSTech Promo playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 440 – Martin and Sallie explore the online learning platform Moodle. Release date: Thursday, April 14

Get involved:

388 – Gospel-Driven

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This week WELSTech marks the end of the What’s Best Next book series with a reflection on what we’ve learned along the way. There’s also discussion of an exciting opportunity for WELSTech Conference attendees, a favorite hymns survey, free fonts, the verse of the day, and much more. Join the conversation!

The discussion:

The EndSay Goodbye – Martin and Sallie discuss Part 7 of Matt Perman’s What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done and wrap up this season’s book discussion by reviewing the five takeaways in the book recap.

News in tech:

Google Education on Air – Free online conference, May 8-9

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Ministry resources:

Featured videos:

The newest addition to the WELSTech Instructional playlist on YouTube is Understanding Exposure: The Exposure Triangle with Mark Wallace

 

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 389 – We’ll take a look at the important task of worship planning and how technology can assist – 04/21/15 @ 4 pm Central – welstechlive.wels.net

Get involved:

383 – Execute

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On this week’s WELSTech we look at the heart of executing a gospel-focused productivity plan as we strive to efficiently and effectively use our gifts in service to God and others. Also on the docket are expensive watches, broken link finders, a free online conference from Google and more tabs that you can count!

The discussion:

dare145x125pngPutting productivity into action – In part 6 of What’s Best Next, author Matt Perman details the method of executing your productivity plan including never skipping your weekly review and focusing on one task at a time. Martin and Sallie reveal their sometimes opposite (and colorful) methods for getting things done.

Ministry resources:

News in tech:

Apple announcements abound

Picks of the week:

WELS insider:

Did you miss the Heart to heart parenting blog inaugural webcast? Check out the archived video!

Need to know:

Don’t miss out on the early bird pricing for WELSTech Conference 2015! Register by April 1 for $199.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 384 – Martin and Sallie examine the role of media in our lives, and Steve Boettcher gives us a preview of his WELSTech Conference keynote. Watch and participate on 03/17/15 @ 4 pm Central – welstechlive.wels.net.

Featured videos:

The newest addition to the WELSTech Presentation and Teaching playlist on YouTube is Concordia Publishing’s What is Lent video

 

Get involved:

379 – Reduce

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WELSTech is back with tips for eliminating some of your workload and serving others in the process. There’s also news on the Google Apps front, a fun survey app for the classroom, online classes and new wiki pages to explore. Join the conversation!

The discussion:

What's Best NextDon’t Do Everything – Martin and Sallie return to this season’s book discussion, looking at Part 5 of Matt Perman’s What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. This part of the book focuses on the “R” step in Matt’s DARE process for managing work, Reduce, and offers practical ideas for eliminating portions of your workload.

Ministry resources:

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

WELS insider:

Online Friendship Evangelism Course

Need to know:

Register for WELSTech Conference 2015

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 380 – Tune in for a discussion of Project Management software options. (2/17/15)

Featured videos:

Check out this week’s video to the WELSTech Product Demos playlist on YouTube – Introduction to redesigned Admin Console

 

Get involved:

375 – Architecting Your Life

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This week on WELSTech we return to this season’s productivity book discussion and consider the merits of setting our alarms a bit earlier. We also hear the story behind a new outreach-focused video short, learn about a major update of the WELS Mobile app, discover a new platform for ebooks and get motivated by the three greatest words ever spoken.

The discussion:

timeMapWake Up! – Part 4 of What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman introduces ideas for blocking out your daily schedule for focused time on tasks and projects. Martin shares his new (early) morning schedule inspired by Matt’s suggestions in this section.

Featured videos:

We’re excited to share Ben Champion’s Blessed video short. Ben is a member of Beautiful Savior in Marietta, GA. He tells us that this zero budget film is the first of what he hopes will be a series of outreach focused messages. Consider sharing it and perhaps making your own video short. Find the video on the WELSTech’s Presentation/Teaching playlist on YouTube.

 

Ministry resources:

WELS Mobile Upgrade

News in tech:

Meet Diigo Outliner

Picks of the week:

WELS insider:

Need to know:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 376 – WELSTech is LIVE from MLC as Martin and Sallie enjoy a rare opportunity to podcast from the same location and talk with student Jonathan Witte about MLC’s Quadcopter, GoPro camera and Instagram presence.  (SPECIAL date & time – 01/22/15 at 4:30 pm)

Get involved:

367 – That Peaceful Productivity

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On this week’s WELSTech we redefine our understanding of productivity as serving others, the work God gives us in his Word.  Martin and Sallie shares useful insights from Part 2 of Matt Perman’s book What’s’ Best Next. Listen also for ideas for churches use of Instagram and an overview of the newly released Logos 6.

The discussion:

opportunity145x125Gospel-Driven Productivity – In Part 2 of What’s Best Next, author Matt Perman equates being productive to living a life of service. Martin and Sallie discuss the book’s definition of productivity and how it relates to activities Christians do every day in every aspect of their lives.

Ministry resources:

News in tech:

Tips & picks of the week:

WELS insider:

  • iPhone 4 Donations for Malawi

Need to know:

  • Registration is open for FinalWeb online training, coming up January 21-23, 2015. bit.ly/fw4d2015
  • Visit the WELSTech Conference 2015 site to sign up for conference announcements via e-mail

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 368 – Dr. John Meyer, Director of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education at Martin Luther College, joins Martin and Sallie as we share information on online learning opportunities. (Broadcast date – 11/18/14)

Featured videos:

Check out this week’s entries on the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo  – Jonah Interactive Bible Study

 

Get involved:

362 – Pastor Tech Part 1

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This week on WELSTech the results of the Pastor’s Tech survey are revealed. What new tools will you find intriguing? Sallie shared resources from her upcoming “Going Google” Teachers’ Conference presentations and Martin shares the power of the weekly review.

The discussion:

pastorsTechSurvey145x125The survey says – Martin and Sallie share the first of the results from the recent Pastor’s Tech survey including favorites from the Bible Study, Productivity/Planning, Member and Prospect Management and Presentation resources categories.

News in tech:

Ministry resources:

Tips & picks of the week:

WELS insider:

Need to know:

  • WELSTech Conference 2015
  • iPhone 4 donations needed for Malawi

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 363 – Making God supreme in your productivity is the topic of part 1 of What’s Best Next by Matt Perman. Read along and tune in next week for the discussion.  (Broadcast date – 10/14/14)

Featured videos:

This week’s featured video is part of the WELSTech Music YouTube playlist, Praise You (Obi’s Song).

 

Get involved:

355 – eGiving

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This week’s WELSTech topic, electronic giving, is a popular one as more congregations and schools consider this giving option for members. Besides the main event, there’s news and links of all flavors including Gmail tips, photo sharing platforms, free educator accounts, Android apps and the “Teacher Chart of Doom.”

The discussion:

churchCC1 145x125Office Resources II – Martin and Sallie wrap up review of the WELSTech Wiki Office resources with a look at the topics of productivity, hardware and software. Lastly they spend some time discussing a variety of methods and examples of electronic giving, from online giving to text-to-give to mobile giving to card reading equipment. Please request a wiki account and add your experience!

Tech tips:

  • Filters and “Folders” in Gmail
  • Control + Shift + L to select the browser URL

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Did you know … Presenters at WELSTech Conference 2015 (wels.net/welstechconf), July 9-11, 2015 at Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center in Pewaukee, WI attend for FREE?!! We’re currently looking for presenters and tech topics of interest for our breakout sessions. Give it some thought and submit your ideas!

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 355 – On next week’s WELSTech we do a bit of housekeeping as we focus on the always important planning and policies resources for churches and school. (Broadcast date – 08/26/14)

Featured video:

This week we have an addition to the WELSTech Presentation/Teaching YouTube playlist from this summer’s WELS International Youth Rally, Rev. Jon Enter’s Keynote Presentation.

 

Get involved:

230 – 7 Best E-mail Tools and Tips

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This week on the WELSTech Podcast we countdown the 7 best e-mail productivity tools and tips.

The discussion:

Taming the Inbox – Martin and Sallie share productivity tips and tools to manage the avalanche of e-mail we all have to deal with.

E-mail Productivity Tools and Tips

  1. FollowUpThen – E-mail reminders
  2. Active Inbox – GTD addon for Gmail
  3. Xobni – Organize your address book
  4. Funnel all e-mail accounts through Gmail
  5. Typing shortcut utilities:
  6. GTD add ons for Outlook
    • GTD Guide for Outlook 2010
    • Martin’s Wiring Up GTD in Outlook 2010
    • For the non-geeks … Getting things Done Outlook Add-In Support
    • Emptying Your Inbox – Bonus WELSTech Goodness on the WELSTech Wiki
  7. Set up rules, filter, colors and categories

Coming up in May … 7 Best E-mail Photo Organizing and Editing Tools

Ministry resources:

(30:03) Check out the Copy Matters series from Church Marketing Sucks for tips on Writing for the Web, Writing Better Emails, Writing for Social Media and much more

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(37:05) FinalWeb training – This summer we’re offering online training on web site creation and maintenance using the FinalWeb system.   And, for the first time, we’ll be using Google Hangouts!

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(51:31) Episode 231 – Martin and Sallie begin a discussion of the online e-book How to Transform Your Small Business With Social Media. (Release date – 04/11/12)

The featured artist:

(53:17) We close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – That’s My King from his CD titled “Worship“

Get involved: