To be effective in life and in leadership, you must be an arrow, not buck shot. Pastor Derwin Gray provides tips to help you become an arrow.

If you want to be effective — I mean really effective — in life and leadership, you must learn to say “no” even to good opportunities. This will free you up so you can say “yes” to opportunities that will make you more effective.

We live in America; choices abound. There are needs everywhere, and we try to accomplish more than we’re called and gifted to accomplish.

The result is spiritual ADD and unproductiveness.

Please don’t mistake busyness for productivity. Being busy just makes you tired, frustrated and bitter.

In my experience with coaching and mentoring leaders, I find many people just doing “stuff.” They have no sense of vision, purpose, or focus.

If you want to be effective in life and leadership, you must be an arrow, not buck shot. You must discipline yourself to say “no” to some things so you can say “yes” to the things that you can focus on, like a laser beam, and be productive.

Here are some clarifying questions that will help you become an arrow:

• What are you doing that you need to stop doing so you can be more productive and energized? This will hurt. Badly. Be honest in your evaluation.

• Who are you? What are you really great at? Go do it. Be remarkable.

• Surround yourself with people who will be honest with you and help you stop doing unproductive things. 

• YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH MORE BY DOING LESS BECAUSE MORE OF YOU WILL BE POURED INTO WHAT YOU ARE DOING! 

Life is short; don’t waste it doing unproductive things simply because you are not disciplined enough to focus on few things.