On my mission I received a letter from my mother soon after I was made a district leader. She told me to never ask those I lead to do something that I am not WILLING to do. That is much different from her telling me to never ask those I lead to do something that I am ABLE to do.
Many leaders find it important to create a to-do list when in reality they need to create a to-NOT-do list. Even though you have the time to enter visiting teaching numbers into the computer doesn’t mean you should. Maybe the church needs to be locked up so Bishop Doall is going to stop by every night of the week and tug on the doors one more time. These are things that could easily be delegated because your focus isn’t having an organized visiting teaching list or making sure security is tight at the church. Your focus could be something more meaningful like making sure you are caring for the one or being the type of primary president that visits one child randomly each day because the child then knows you really are their friend.
The things you say NO to may still be important but that is why others are there to help you.
Let your counselors run the ward and you be the bishop that visits the widows.
As a councilor in the Bishopric I really appreciate this post. We have ward council meeting and it seems like 80% of the things that we go over could be done in groups and quorum presidency meetings, not wasting the time of the council. I believe it is human nature to have an opinion and want to share it… but just because we have an opinion doesn't mean it's correct. Some times there isn't a right answer and nearly any idea would work.
Imany years ago I had a friend tell me I needed to learn a principle. He called it, Selective Neglect.
No one in leadership can do it all. A Bishop could spend all day, every day, helping the one. God, family, work THEN church. This is what President Hinckley taught and the principle I strive to teach our leaders.
Do what you feel is key, right now. The Lord will make up for the rest.