The Power of Napping: How Taking a 20-Minute Break Can Boost Your Productivity
And the final parts of Kevin Kelly wisdom
784 words - 3 minutes
I originally planned this as a two-part series – but there were so many good sayings I wanted to share a few more. Part 1, Part 2.
As mentioned, I saw this list a few years ago on Kevin Kelly’s blog – kk.org. But he has now compiled this list, some additions, and a few other lists into a new book released this month. Get it here.
I am changing his order to make it better apply to church leaders.
Kevin’s number 64
“Learn how to take a 20-minute power nap without embarrassment.”
There is power in a nap. My standard practice is to do so at least three days a week. And 10-20 minutes is the perfect interval. Longer, and I am groggy and headed into a deeper sleep.
Twenty is the right mix of rest and reflection.
I don’t do it on Wednesdays due to the Senior Pastor’s weekly call. And usually, I am cranking on Mondays to get much prework done for the entire week.
And going to lay down with a problem or challenge on my mind, clearing my head of any thoughts, and drifting to rest yields a new solution 50% of the time.
It is also a learned practice: to keep to that time frame and to come out with insight.
I gave a speech in college: “How to take a nap,” so I have been a firm believer for 40-plus years.
Kevin’s number 61
“Experience is overrated. When hiring, hire for aptitude, train for skills. Most really amazing or great things are done by people doing them for the first time.”
Larger churches have long known this practice. Most of the best teams are “homegrown,” with the team members former experiences coming from other fields or a residency program.
Through loyal volunteer service or hands-on practice, they have shown that we should at least try them in a role. Good ones then grow in their knowledge and expertise over time.
When we value degrees, ordination, and certifications more than attitude and aptitude, we lose.
(and p.s. I have degrees and certifications. It’s not that I don’t think they can help. They just are less predictive than experience.)
Kevin’s number 35
“Perhaps the most counterintuitive truth of the universe is that the more you give to others, the more you’ll get. Understanding this is the beginning of wisdom.”
Reminiscent of the biblical reminder that it is more blessed to give than receive, Kevin adds reciprocity.
That often happens, but it isn’t a given.
The spirit of the counsel is that you benefit in multiple ways by giving to others.
When Paul mentions the phrase in Luke’s account – “as Jesus taught” – he has no element of reciprocity involved. But I have found that as I have given something – time, advice, financial means - to another, I am blessed just in the giving and then often, in some other way later down the road.
We live in an instant, demand-time culture. God’s timing and culture are different. We must learn to live with an eye toward that time.
Two more below the ad
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Story continues…..
I will close with two companion pieces of advice he gives.
Kevin’s number 29
“To make mistakes is human. To own your mistakes is divine. Nothing elevates a person higher than quickly admitting and taking personal responsibility for the mistakes you make and then fixing them fairly. If you mess up, fess up. It’s astounding how powerful ownership is.”
I am often called about a crisis situation within a church. I don’t do that coaching, but I get the call due to a long relationship.
The advice above is gold. We all do make mistakes. Sometimes they impact many others when we are in leadership.
Sometimes they may directly impact a small group, but the indirect reputational impact long term for the team and the wider group begins to plant doubt and dysfunction in the minds of others. Just as money can yield compound interest, lack of mistake acknowledgment builds quietly and subversively over time.
As Kevin counsels – Take responsibility quickly, fess up, and fix up.
You may not recover all the lost ground, but owning your mistakes is a key to leadership growth.
Kevin’s number 56
“How to apologize: quickly, specifically, sincerely.”
I really can’t add to that, but it goes so well with the one I listed right above it, it deserved inclusion.
In addition to checking out Kevin’s new book, you might subscribe to his blog at kk.org. It used to be a simpler site, but they have cranked it up a notch with the new book coming outr. He co-writes a weekly Sunday newsletter called Recommendo – which I also commend to you.