Weekly Planning to Help Fulfill our Purpose

In our zone meeting this past week we had the opportunity to take some time to personally plan a few things. It was obvious that as we schedule, set goals, and make plans that these things are centered around us being able to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, and our eternal purpose.

A few thoughts from the book 7 Habits for Highly Effective People can help us continue to help us understand why and how effective planning can allow us to govern our lives, rather than allowing others to govern it for us.

" It's a principle that all things are create twice, but not all creations are by conscious design. ... Whether we are aware of it or not, whether we are in control of it or not, there is a first creation to every part of our lives. We are either the second creation of our own proactive design, or  we are the second creation of other people's agendas, of circumstances, or of past habits. "

He goes on to talk about how we have many roles in our lives, and we must identify them and have goals for each one. Otherwise we are not thinking broadly enough in terms of our growth. When we do this we often fall into traps of overcompensating in one role. We focus so much on work that we neglect personal health, we focus so much on dating that we allow school work to slide, etc.

Think about the roles you have. What are you about in these roles? What are the values that should guide you? What's important to you in this role?

Once you have identified these things, then he gives these instructions:

" After you identify your various roles, then you can think about the long-term goals you want to accomplish in each of these roles. ...
...An effective goal focuses primarily on results rather than activity. It identifies where you want to be, and in the process, helps you determine where you are. It gives you important information on how to get there, and it tells you when you've arrived. It unifies your efforts and energy. It gives meaning and purpose to all you do. And it can finally translate itself into daily activities so that you are proactive, you are in charge of your life, you are making happen each day the things that will enable you to fulfill your personal mission statement. "

I hope and pray that each of us as disciples of Christ can accept the invitation to follow Christ on a daily basis. But to do so deliberately, rather than by chance. As a teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can and should be purposefully using every moment to grow and apply the principles we have come to know are true.

What experiences with planning and "becoming" have you experienced recently?

A Well-Oiled Machine

Something that Lisanne said in a recent new teacher meeting has been on a my mind a lot recently. It was in the context of teaching the lessons in chapter 3, and she said that often times teachers follow the outline exactly, but are still frustrated with the results. It is easy to do what the curriculum says, but difficult to get it to feel right. I have had several experiences lately that have given me further insight as to what the classroom experience should feel like. Not surprisingly, it is the Spirit. What a concept! I have noticed that sometimes I get too caught up in the mechanics of what will be happening, or throw around words like "experience" fifteen times a shift. Of course, the most important thing for teachers and missionaries to be feeling is the Holy Ghost, and that is what will produce the feeling or the experience we are looking for. The extent to which the Holy Ghost is present in the classroom is largely conditional upon the preparation done beforehand, both on the part of the teachers and the missionaries. Many times this boils down to preparation done by teachers, which prepares missionaries to be prepared. It is such a simple concept, but I have discovered that when teachers and missionaries go into a shift with the proper attitude and preparation, the Spirit will create the feeling, flow, experience, environment, etc, that we are seeking, and everything else comes a lot more smoothly. Sometimes I think I make it more complicated than it should be. Having the Spirit in the classroom is crucial to accomplishing the objective. While that is not the only requirement, He is the one that directs teachers and missionaries to know what to say, where to go, what to do, and how to teach. As we plan and properly prepare, we are promised that we will be given in the very (3) hours "that portion that shall be meted unto every man."

Companionship Meetings to Planning

I will be the first to admit that when I walk into the computer lab, I love to see all my friends and chat it up with them.  Unfortunately, at times this can take up the majority of my prep time.  However, those days that I am careful with my time, are often some of the most meaningful times with the missionaries.

I have found that meaningful prep times often result from meaningful companionship meetings.  I like to think of companionship meetings in the same context of missionaries and their planning meetings.  These meetings should not be moments to update on the very last class, but they should be revelatory, vision focused, and have concrete plans for the future.  When this is how a companionship meeting looks, I find I can come in confident with where to go with class, and instead of taking the time to figure out needs and what I am going to teach, my prep time is like a personal study where I find resources to meet the needs of the missionaries.

For a greater explanation, I thought I would post some of the things that Zone 3 discussed in a zone meeting about how to improve companionship meetings.  Enjoy these ideas and please post any other ideas on how companionship meetings can look more like a vision oriented planning meeting.

• Don't "discover" needs during the meeting, the meeting should be held to find solutions (planning sessions)
• What should your focus and goals be for the next week? Establish a bird's eye view for the missionary.
• Teacher Log must be up-to-date. Same view and same interpretation.
• Use the curriculum to find solutions.
• Teacher Log should be used as a "daily planning" like log. Communicate ideas for the next lesson.
• Make specific plans to meet the needs. Be aware of your resources (additional activities, studies, other teachers, branch president).
• Have faith in the doctrine.

An Essential for Preparation

While studying the art of teaching youth, I came across the most incredible article by President J. Reuben Clark Jr. on the potential of youth, called "The Charted Course of the Church in Education." Reading and studying this article has completely changed the way that I prepare and plan for teaching the Lord's servants. President Clark emphasizes in what ways the youth are prepared and hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His prophetic perspective is insightful in humbling. Hopefully it will call you to repentance as it did me.

I will attach a link to the article and an invitation to examine the vision we should have for the Lord's missionaries as they are placed in our care.

The Charted Course