Many tasks you tackle will be small enough to complete in a single sitting. But for those larger projects, you must always be able to track where you are. Marking where you left on a project is a relatively simple step you must take for your own sake and for that of your reputation, your staff, volunteers, and your church. But what is the best way to do it? Here are three tips that will you help you remember where you left off every time:

1. Make a clear mark. Whether you want to use a sticky note, draw a big red X, or something else, just be sure to clearly mark where you stopped working. Nondescript marks or enigmatic notations probably won’t be helpful–they’ll be easy for you to miss later on, and other people won’t know what they mean.
2. Let multiple people know where you are stopping. Send an email to everyone who is helping you, letting them know the status of the project. That way, if one of them picks up working on it they’ll know exactly where to start.
3. Make sure everyone involved understands that this is an expected part of working on this project. It takes only one person not marking his or her stopping place to make it hard for everyone else involved. Tell everyone that marking where they left off is required. No one is allowed to skip this important step.
4. Reward people who mark their ending spot consistently. What gets rewarded gets repeated. When members of your team mark their spot, reward them in some way. Give them a gift card to a coffee shop or special recognition during your staff meeting. Just a small acknowledgment will get them on board, helping to make this practice a permanent part of your projects.

Clearly marking the place where you left off on a project seems like a small thing, but it will pay off in big ways. You will save yourself and those on your team a lot of time and frustration. Start making this a habit today.

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.