Pastor Stress

Here's a great list from Mark Driscoll, a few tips on how pastors can reduce the stress in their lives (click here to watch the video).How can I better organize my life to reduce stress?

1. Accept the size of your plate and fill it.
2. Exercise.
3. Do not allow technology to be your Lord.
   1. Have two cell phones.
   2. Have two email accounts.
   3. Have someone schedule appointments and screen all email.
   4. Consider getting rid of your voicemail.
   5. Delete emails quickly.
   6. Have an assistant send you a daily items email.
   7. Use an out-of-office autoreply as needed.
4. Sabbath hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually.
5. Schedule your vacations first and block them out on your calendar.
6. Pick an acceptable release valve.
7. Appoint someone other than your wife as your lightning rod.
8. Spend most of your time training leaders.
9. Pay attention to what God is saying through your body and emotions.
10. Feel your emotions but do not allow them to drive you in a bad direction.
11. Do not worry yourself into a frenzy.
12. Work from conviction, not guilt.
13. Get a coach or a counselor.
14. Have a study and an office.
15. Schedule meetings rarely.
16. Say no, and keep saying no.
17. Get a wedding coordinator.
18. Carry a notebook at all times to jot thoughts and notes.
19. See your days as buckets to fill.
20. Consider regular medical massage.