Ed. note: The last article by Gayle was a wonderful encouragement on how to handle pressure, and this article is a fine balance to that information because we can be destroyed just as easily by complacency. Read on for advice on how to kill complacency and continue to grow.

Complacency can be an occupational hazard for any professional. Once a person becomes proficient in her job, the temptation to coast often comes into play.

What sets the true pro apart is her ability to continue to grow personally and professionally—to stay on the cutting edge—regardless of how long she has been on the job, how many responsibilities she handles, how many seminars she’s attended. The wise assistant realizes there are always fresh ideas to discover, new possibilities to explore, and more mature insights to gain.

• Build on your strengths

One of the most important elements of success in any endeavor is the ability to recognize what you do best and what gives you the greatest satisfaction. It may be writing, graphics, supervising, organizing files, or another of your responsibilities.

• To grow in your job, find as many ways as possible to use your unique gifts regularly during your day.

Exercising these skills boosts your self-esteem, keeps your work interesting, and strengthens your expertise. This is good both for you and for the church.

• Find ways to use your gifts outside the office as well.

Get involved in an office professionals organization, a ministry project, whatever allows you to use and develop your gifts as you give back to your organization and your community. You can establish yourself as the person to contact in matters concerning your field of choice.

• Appreciate the value of time

Those who excel in ministry are those who know the value of resources and use them well—and no resource is more valuable than time. Unlike other resources, time is finite. Everyone has just 24 hours a day; there is no way anyone can get any more. So the trick, then, is to invest each of your minutes in something that matters and not to waste any minutes on what doesn’t.

Few accomplishments are more professionally rewarding than skillful time management. Of course, this skill is not a once-for-all endeavor. But with practice you get to the point where you can realistically control at least 60 percent of your work time.

Some important steps in time management:

• Before heading out the door at the end of each day, take a few minutes to list your top priorities for the next day. Consistently do this until it becomes second nature.
• In the morning, review and adjust the list as needed. Then stick with it.
• When an emergency pulls you from your plan, address the need and then immediately get back on track. Eliminate habits that nibble away at time and keep you from priorities.

Killing complacency, building on your strengths, and valuing time will keep you right where you want to be professionally—on the cutting edge.