The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is one of the best selling business books of all time (It is also one of my personal favorites, which I reread at the beginning of each year). Written by Stephen Covey, it identifies, explains and applies seven foundational principles that can accelerate our path to success. One of the key takeaways from the book is that we must be very careful to distinguish efficiency from effectiveness. Mr. Covey convincingly argues that one of the greatest tragedies in life is to get to the top of whatever ladder you have been climbing, only to discover that the ladder you’ve been climbing is on the wrong wall.

Getting to the top of the ladder is efficiency. Efficiency is the ability to complete a task in the least amount of time with the least expenditure of energy.

Climbing the right ladder is effectiveness. Effectiveness is the ability to ability to produce the intended or desired result.

Efficiency is about speed.

Effectiveness is about direction.

Efficiency asks “how fast am I going?”

Effectiveness asks “where am I am going?”

Being effective takes time, because it requires that I define my values, understand my purpose, and evaluate my choices. These activities cannot be rushed. But if they are carefully and consistently pursued, they yield incredible results.

God clearly values this approach, because the scriptures are saturated with anecdotes and admonitions encouraging us to slow down. Consider James 1:19 as one specimen. Here is what it says:

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

Imagine how much more effective we would be if we didn’t speak so fast or get angry so quickly! Imagine how much healthier our relationships would be! Blood pressures might go down, and life expectancies might go up! We would have better marriages, stronger families, and more productive work environments.

Don’t be so quick to speak! In considering this command, I thought about former President Barak Obama. He is a good model of this precept. He was notorious for measuring his words, and answering questions carefully, deliberately, and slowly. Watching him answer questions was like watching paint dry; it was like watching a mother give medicine to a baby, one distasteful teaspoon at a time. I think Mr. Obama’ s personality and his temperament played a part in how carefully he weighed his words. But I also believe that he fully grasped the weight and responsibility of his office, and understood that the most powerful politician in the world cannot be rash nor glib. All leaders, managers, supervisors, parents—must be slow to speak. Words cannot be unspoken. In my earlier years as a Pastor, I would often offer feedback about the service during the service. I did not know much that commentary negatively affected the overall experience and the people to whom it was directly or indirectly addressed. As I have matured, I have realized how important it is to be "slow to speak.” A word hastily spoken can cause irreparable damage. It can crush a spirit, destroy a relationship, and murder influence.

Don’t be so quick to get angry! The old folks down south had an expression to describe those oof us who are guilty of getting angry quickly. The expression was “hot headed.” These are the people who Cedric the Entertainer once joked about in the Original Kings of Comedy, who show up at events, “wishing that somebody in their seat.” I am sure you know somebody who always ready to argue, debate, and fight. At the slightest provocation, they are READY to curse you out and beat you down. LOL. Uncontrollable anger is rage. And rage is like forest fires: it burns everything is its path. Moses spent 80 years leading the children of Israel through the wilderness en route to the promised land. Tragically, he was unable to enter. The reason? His anger. The enemy knows exactly which buttons to push to incite us to anger. And far too many of us have lost friends, opportunities, and countless blessings because we we allowed a situation to provoke us to the point that we lost sight of what is truly important.

So do yourself a favor: slow down. Stop overreacting. Weigh your words. Stop letting people push your buttons. Think more about what you want you want to happen than what is happening.

Before you start climbing, make sure your ladder is on the right wall.