A Breakdown of Speed

18 Aug ’11 By 14 Comments

Ask anyone.

They’ll all say they have a busy life. And they’ll all mention how fast time is moving.

But having a gauge on just how fast your life is going can make all the difference on how much you enjoy the moments that are flying by.

Here are some of the tick-marks on my speedometer:

0-10 mph – In this range, I’m relaxed, and most creative thought I have to force to shut down, as well as no talking. Activities include laying in a hammock, napping; at most, reading fiction, at least, sitting on the couch zoned out and on the verge of falling asleep. I’m getting better at making this state intentional, but more often it’s a product of redlining. If I stay here too long, I risk becoming lazy and unproductive; if I don’t frequent it enough, I risk cracking the engine block.

10-20 mph – I’m thoughtful with my time, using it to play with my kids, have casual conversation with family and close friends, read non-fiction, and dream. Oddly enough, most of my creative ideas (as well as direction from the Lord) comes in the shower. This speed seems the most natural, but left here too long and I’ll become discouraged.

30-40 mph – Things are picking up speed as creative ideas demand energy. Tasks around the house get done, and to do lists for artistic and ministry related projects are made, notes gathered. Eventually I’ll leave the home and will have set up shop in my office at New Life. Computers fired up, and starting to engaged with projects. Things feel fresh, and the anticipation of seeing things get fleshed out is exciting. One of the more enjoyable speeds, this pace doesn’t ever last for very long.

40-50 mph – This is where projects take on a life of their own and meet one of three crossroads: #1) they are completed, #2) they are delegated, #3) they are interrupted and delayed. This is a good speed where a lot can be accomplished, but also the place where a lot of #3′s can slam the accelerator to the floor. I’m covering a lot of ground at a pretty good clip, feeling extremely productive.

50-60 mph – This tends to be the speed at which things can go wrong. One completed project provokes another; a delegated project comes back with problems; a present project gets interrupted numerous times. This is typically where frustration sets in. Road conditions, spiritually speaking, are also amplified due to the increase of speed and of the greater handling demands. If my energy level is still high and I have a good team around me, this speed is manageable for a good part of the day. But I often find myself asking for wisdom, strength, and favor from the Holy Spirit, especially as deadlines approach and I feel the not-enough-hours-in-the-day effect.

60+ mph – While only a scooter would redline at 60, for the purposes of my example, this is top speed before the engine breaks down. Here I’m going flat out. Teams are operating, projects are in and out of my office, I’m responding to phone calls, texts, emails, and knocks by the minute. I fight to keep people as my main priority and not tasks or interruptions, and try to complete small jobs that can be accomplished in under 2 minutes. Because of the nature of my work and how many different entities I support or carry entirely, my days can reach top speed within the first hour I arrive at the office for days or even weeks on end. My health – one of my ultimate redlining indicators – tends to fade quickly, and I become susceptible to colds, ear infections, and the flu. My wife is telling me to slow down, as are my closest friends. If I don’t slow down, God makes me. And it isn’t pretty.

When looking at this, it must be noted that the proverbial car was meant to drive at all these speeds. Each gear is designed to be used for various purposes. And left in any one gear for too long, and we fall into error. But if you’re using them all, someone will always criticize you:

“How come you’re being so lazy?” – The person that says this probably doesn’t know you well, and didn’t see your work week. Just smile and nod, and go back to reading your book.

“Slow down or else you’ll burn out!” – Whoever tells you this probably doesn’t know your home-life habits, nor do they understand the weight of reaching souls. There is little time.

The key is finding your stride, your pace. Knowing what gear to transition through or hold in, and when.

There’s a certain rhythm to driving, and being able to anticipate the course ahead – something the Holy Spirit is pretty amazing at – will help you know what gear to be in and for how long. ch:

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Don’t Save It. Shoot It.

8 Feb ’11 By 19 Comments

My final post of the productivity series got delayed due to our rather big announcement (followed by a slightly less big French announcement), so thanks for your patience.

So let’s be honest. I’m not the only hoarder out here. Am I? Go ahead. Raise your hand. (I’m watching, you know).

But so much of the stuff we collect (or that gravitates toward us) is cool. Or memorable. Or meaningful. Because we attach memories to it. When we touch it, we feel connected to a past we cherish. A moment.

But let’s face it: how many times have you actually pulled that thing out–whether it’s a collection of things or just a single prized thing–and looked at it? And for how long? If you’re like me, probably not very often, and probably not for very long.

So what’s the value in it? The answer is–unless it’s a sacred family heirloom–not much.

That’s because the real value is in you.

It’s within our own memories that things acquire meaning. And stuff, on the other hand, is very much expendable.

You don’t own things, things own you.

-Brad Ringer

Shoot It

My iPhone is glued to me. I almost feel naked without it anymore. Not because I like it (oh, it’s super cool, but sometimes I wish I wasn’t so dependent on it), but because of how much it actually does for me.

One particular day I was fed up with how much junk was in a certain section of my basement, taken up by cool old bottles I’d somehow deemed valuable along the way. Then the thought entered my head, “What am I ever going to do with these? And where would I display them? And who would care?” That’s when I decided to chuck them. But before I did, I remembered my iPhone.

And I took a picture of each of them.

Suddenly I realized their value was in my head, and the picture would stir that memory just as much as holding it. But without the physical space they’d take up. That section of my basement was purged, and I was free.

Likewise, when people are handing out copies of meeting notes, if they can’t email them to me I just take pictures of them on my iPhone and hand back the packet (to their astonishment). Because realistically those notes are just going to sit in my office and take up space; what I really need is to reference them later, a task much better suited for a digital image stored on my hard drive.

The pic above is of a conference promo card I got in the mail last week. I liked one of the design elements and wanted to save it for future reference. But rather than take up more valuable space in an already full morgue art file, I snapped a pic of it.

So what things in your life could you live with a picture of instead of the real thing? Tell us the juicy details below. I know, I know: it might be hard. But the sense of relief you’ll feel after throwing out all those things might just be worth the price (and then some). ch:

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Productivity: Don’t Dump On Me

24 Jan ’11 By 13 Comments

So in my last post I mentioned that my office re-image had unexpectedly produced a valuable new side effect, one that almost instantaneously forced a new habit. And it’s changed my work-flow for the better.

Before, one could very well argue that my work space was a dumping ground. I won’t try to skirt my own responsibilities for a second here: I let a lot of junk build up. But because of the sheer amount of ministries I oversee, and the amount of wonderful staff that work to make all of it happen, “stuff” from those ministries and from those staff tended to deposit itself in my office. Files, mail, packets, notes, promo materials, sales product, signage, forms, passes, office supplies, books, and anyone who “borrowed” my office while I was out of town always let their stuff linger around for a few days after I get home.

But when the office got clean, I noticed everything. Every little paper. The absence of “table space” didn’t allow for any extras. As my dad drilled into me growing up, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” And suddenly, if something wasn’t in its place, I saw it. And it bugged the stink out of me.

This forced a new practice:

Whatever comes into my office leaves with someone or leaves in the trash can.

OPTION 1: THE SOMEONE

My co-workers and staff have heard a new phrase coming out of my mouth lately. “Woah, why are you leaving that here? No, no, no…” And I usher them out. This forces them to use their own filing systems. Not mine. It also has enabled me to delegate much more than I ever have before (a practice which is easy to talk about but very hard to learn). If, however, the item and resulting tasks pertain to me, see option 2.

OPTION 2: THE TRASH CAN

These are my projects. Things I need to do. And my detest of seeing anything pile up in my newly renovated office compels me to tackle the project I’m handed immediately, and then get rid of the evidence. Contrary to my former habits of “I’ll get to that as soon as I’m done with this,” the opposite has happened. The resulting attitude is “Get this new thing done asap so I can get back to my previous task.” While it seems counter productive to my brain, it’s actually decreased the amount of work I’m doing and nearly eliminated the dreaded piles-o-paper.

Among the obvious benefits of a cleaner office, better work-flow, and a stronger handle on enabling my staff to make decisions about things I’d normally make myself, I’ve also found that I’m hoarding less and throwing out more. Asking myself, “Do I really need this sheet of paper? Do I absolutely need these notes?”

The result? Freedom.

For all you hoarders out there, I’ll have one last tip in my next post that has freed me immensely from the grip of collecting stuff.

Is your trash can calling your name? Or do you need to have a chat with your dumpers? I’d love to know! ch:


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Productivity: Face Lift

22 Jan ’11 By 28 Comments

christopher hoppers office

Clutter. Have any? Maybe it’s the kitchen-black-hole-of-death drawer that’s crammed full of stuff. Maybe it’s the one room in the house you never show on “the tour” when guests come over. But if you’re like me, somewhere in your life, there’s total physical chaos.

Recently my office got a makeover. For those that might remember, I had painted it blue with a black city skyline 360-degrees. It was cool. Then I added my collection of street signs–placement care of those that tuned in during a live broadcast of the event. A table, some chairs. And inevitably, stacks of papers, collectables, gifts, supplies, and an old sandwich.

And then my thread of OCD kicked in.

Inspired by The Lightman Group’s make-believe office from the show Lie To Me, and Apple, I decided to throw nearly everything out, store the rest, and repaint: antique white on 3 walls, royal blue on the ceiling, and a light grey on the back wall.

In less than 4 days, my office went from chaos to clean. And so did my brain.

Many times our lack of productivity is directly tied to our environments. And I found that if both my head and my office were in chaos, work became frustrating. So one of them had to change. My mind always has been and always will be in a state of creative chaos. That’s how I’m wired. No changing there. So my office had to give way.

The result is that I love sitting in this clean space. I can breathe. I can think.

Sure, large canvas prints of my family are on order to fill up some of the vast amount of negative space. And I’ve added one of my antique model sailboats to the top of the bookcase. But that’s it.

Not only do I enjoy my office much more, but it’s caused me to adopt a new habit as well, which I’ll cover in the next post.

So which space do you need to give a face lift to? Go on, we want to know! ch:

[A big thanks to Will Farr for the recycled chairs!]

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Productivity: The Mushy Mug Principle

18 Jan ’11 By 11 Comments

christopher hopper

[This is the first in a series on Productivity]

Do you like to wake up to surprises? If you’re smart, you’re instantly qualifying that question with “What kind of surprise?” No dirty diapers or frozen water-lines. I mean a good surprise.

I woke up today and found that my wife had set out the coffee mugs for my at-home staff meeting later on this morning. Not only that, but the coffee “accessories” were out, and a few extra chairs were at the table.

I was so touched.

Planning ahead has many merits, the most obvious of which is saving yourself time in the long run by taking care of essential tasks before things “get complicated.” Most of us actually plan ahead more than we realize, like setting an alarm the night before. But there is another far greater benefit of planning ahead.

The emotional intangible.

Setting out the coffee mugs, cleaning up the kitchen, and adding a few more chairs around the table are things I could have very easily done myself. But because my wife did them, not only did I not have to–which saved me time (and the fact that I’m not as thoughtful to do things like she does)–but I was instantly aware that she was thinking of me. And thinking of our staff.

While I was busy snoring away (which I do), she was taking just a few extra minutes to make sure everything was all set. I felt cared for. Important. And that meant more to me than any level of productivity; in fact, such acts by others actually increase our own productivity.

Aside from thinking ahead for yourself, who is one person you could prepare something for that would positively affect their work load today?

Being prepared speaks to peoples’ lives, that you care about who they are, not just about you getting all your proverbial ducks in a row. ch:

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Monument Building

1 Jan ’11 By 6 Comments

Historically, monuments were erected to mark the passing of epic battles, celebrations, or the passing of time. In the Old Testament, monuments–or in many cases, altars–were built to commemorate an encounter with God.

While I’ve built one or two small mounds of rock in my past, celebrating something significant between me and the Lord, I find writing about it equally as meaningful. Posting it online brings some sort of legitimacy to it. That someone besides me is reading it.

Looking back on 2010, it was a momentous year. A very productive year. Here are a few things that stand out to me; all of these are a living testimony to God’s faithfulness in our lives:

  • Evangeline started Kindergarten
  • Luik can wipe himself
  • Judah started walking
  • Jennifer and I celebrated 7 years of marriage
  • Release of the Christopher Hopper Band’s CD “Heaven Meets Earth”
  • Release of “Venom and Song” co-authored with good friend Wayne Thomas Batson
  • Establishment of Sprig Records, a ground-breaking, church-based record company under New Life
  • New doors and multiple trips to preach the Gospel and encourage the Church in the nation of Switzerland
  • Translation and recording of “Heaven Meets Earth” into French via YWAM
  • Acquired a new restaurant in Georgia to bring funds into the Kingdom
  • Played and spoke at Creation NorthEast, a life-long dream
  • Taught at two YWAM DTS schools in US and Europe
  • New open doors to speak in public school general assemblies, including 3 Opertion:HighLife events
  • Graduation of Dibor Class of 2010
  • Four significant industry shoots for Grandath Films
  • 2nd youth group ministry merger between another church and 33 Live
  • Parents announced their church resignation and began the process of moving to northern NY

January 1st 2011. What will this year hold? Here’s some thing I’ll be spending a considerable amount of time on:

  • Relocating my parents to the 1,000 Islands
  • Asking God for direction in developing each of our children uniquely
  • Transitioning Dibor into “1,000 Islands DTS: School of Worship & Evangelism”
  • Design, build, and open Sprig Records Recording Studios with my father
  • Release of “Le Ciel Touche La Terre” in over 40 francophone nations
  • Recording Jennifer’s new indie/jazz/big-band CD
  • Publishing Book 3 of The White Lion Chronicles, “Athera’s Dawn,” and re-publishing “Rise of the Dibor,” and “The Lion Vrie”
  • Finish and publish book 1 of my new steampunk series (name TBA)
  • Open a new restaurant in Watertown (TBA)
  • See 500 new teenage believers added to the Kingdom in Jefferson County
  • Merge with at least 2 more youth ministries in Jefferson County
  • Update New Life’s production capabilities, including audio and video systems

For the glory of the King and the advancement of His Kingdom. ch:

What are a few milestones you’ve passed, or are looking forward to?

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Go For Broke

10 Jun ’09 By 8 Comments

cracked_eggsI had just returned from taking out the garbage, when I found a big surprise waiting from me inside our kitchen: 24-eggs smashed. Everywhere.

In the time it took me to collect the trash cans and get them emptied, Luik had single-handedly (well, double-handedly if we’re being accurate) cracked every single egg of two new boxes all over the kitchen. Everywhere. Inside the fridge. On the floor. He even got out some baking utensils and cracked eggs in our left-over dinner dishes on the table. Needless to say, he got in a heap of trouble with his Dad.

But as I spent the next hour-and-a-half cleaning up after my 2-year-old, I had to give him credit on at least one thing: he broke every single stinkin’ egg. I love the picture attached to this post because you can see where he even put one of the shell’s back in the box. But not whole.

I had to give him credit on at least one thing: he broke every single stinkin’ egg.

People often ask me how I do all that I do, or even what motivates me to be so “ridiculously productive,” and the answer is really very simple. I only have one crack at life. (Pun intended). I’d hate to get to heaven and have the Lord say, “Hey Christopher, you could have used a few more eggs in your cheese omelet. Why’d you waste them by leaving them in the box?” I want to access all God has more me…every idea, every adventure, every talent. For his glory’s sake.

So go for broke. Break all the eggs. But make sure it’s not on your Daddy’s floor. (We’ll cover constructive uses of poultry eggs in another post) ch:

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