Some people achieve much in a short time. Others struggle. A Church Administrator in the office is set a task which should take two hours max but it is still unfinished four hours later when she leaves. What’s going on?

Capacity for work is a topic all leaders and administrators do well to take note of. Your ability to achieve any task is impacted by a number of external factors and personal issues. See if you recognise these.

 

External factors

·     Interruptions– an issue of personal availability

Interruptions are not necessarily bad – they may be a genuine part of your job. If you are an administrator who has ‘reception’ as a default responsibility, you are going to be interrupted as you tackle detailed spreadsheet work. A five minute call may effectively take 15 minutes out of your day.

·     Distractions– an issue of the working environment

These might be visual intrusion as people walk past, annoying sounds from next room, environmental discomfort if the space is untidy, equipment frustrations if the printer jams again, or fear if working alone in a dark building.

·     Dissatisfaction– an issue of the job you do

You will workless effectively if you don’t believe in what you are doing, if you do not understand what vision you are working towards, if the job fails to use your gifts, or if you have no deadlines at all.

 

Personal issues

·     Your natural make up – an issue of energy levels

Some people are naturally fast Rabbits and others are slow Poohs.  When the latter works under the former, life can be difficult.  Sometimes the slower person gets the better results.

·     Your state of health – an issue of well-being

Struggling with a heavy cold, exhausted by young children up all night, worrying about paying the bills, doubting your faith? Your physical, mental and spiritual health all impact what you can achieve at work.

·     Your current conflicts – an issue of stress

It may be that you have fallen out with your boss or a close friend, that you have nagging worries on your mind, or that your key relationships are in a mess. Itis not easy to work effectively in these cases.

 

So there are six ideas under two headings, but you will be able to think of more. They explain a lot as to why your capacity may sometimes be limited – and, perhaps, how it might be increased.

 

 

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