“THE 70-20-5 PRINCIPLE”

 

 

 

 

Some things seem to come easy for each of us.  I decided to become a Certified Public Accountant when I was in the sixth grade (age 11).  Why?  My mother sat down with me and explained all the professions to me and that’s when I decided on accounting.  One thing that’s important in accounting is solving problems.  I am a problem solver and I sometimes wander off into outer space or never-never land when a problem needs solving.  A problem is exciting to me…others may consider them in fear.  Years ago I had a real big problem on an audit.  I was unable to solve the problem when it was discovered, but that night I dreamed about the solution and when I returned to the job…it was the right solution.

My favorite hobby is woodworking.  I enjoy making wooden bowls on my lathe.  Each bowl presents the problem of what it will look like finished.  Most of my bowls are made from wooden sections glued together…different sizes and different types of wood.  To solve the problem of what it will ultimately become, I let the wood speak for itself as the turning tools shear away the wood.  I also build furniture and the most exciting part is converting a picture from a catalogue or other source into plans for the project.  This is the problem that needs to be solved and I relish in getting the right measurements for the plan.

I still mow the grass in our yard.  I bought a lawn tractor a few years ago and it’s much less time-consuming to get the job done.  I have over two acres to mow, so it takes a while when you consider weedeating, mowing, and emptying the grass catcher.  I do a pretty good job at yard work, but I am no perfectionist.  There is no problem to solve in doing yardwork…it’s just routine.

On occasion, there is a need for “shovel-work” around the house.  There is no real problem to taking a shovel and moving dirt until you have a hole.  It is usually just hard, back-straining work.  It’s not exciting and for sure not very high on my job skills.

I was studying King Solomon the other day.  Solomon, as a great leader, played to his strength.  Great leaders don’t spend vast amounts of time attempting to b a jack-of-all-trades.  Instead, they deepen their ability to do what they do best, until they do it as well as anyone.  King Solomon was given great wisdom and that was the strength he played to.

In the lesson, this was called “THE 70-20-5 PRINCIPLE.” 

*  Give 70 % of your time to your areas of strength.

*  Give 25 % of your time to the areas you want to improve.

*  Give 5 % of your time to the areas of your weakness.

At first I thought this principle was ridiculous.  But after thinking about it for a while, I realized that our strength areas are gifted to us by God.  They are to be used in such a manner that He will receive glory.  Through our strengths others are blessed.  So, after a little meditation, it makes perfect sense to me.  How about you?