If you want to get better and more efficient, you will typically do a cost-benefit analysis. The problem in leadership, said Life Church senior pastor Craig Groeschel, is the assumption that better always costs more. That’s not always true.

At some point the more time or money we invest in something brings a diminishing return. More does not always mean better.

Here are some key points from Craig’s talk:

*GETMO is an acronym for “good enough to move on.” Leaders need to grasp this concept and determine the greatest level of return based on time, money and resources. You must find the sweet spot.

*The down side to being a perfectionist is it can rob you of more production. The problem is you can care too much. Perfection is often the enemy of progress. The pursuit of excellence will motivate you but the pursuit of perfection will eventually limit you.

*BTC stands for “bend the curve.” That means you can spend less time, money and resources on something and get a more productive return.

*One way to bend the curve is to think inside the box. Often we try to think outside the box and come up with stupid ideas. The problem with outside the box is there are unlimited options. When thinking inside the box, the constraints you have actually drive creativity. Too many options drain energy, while constraints can motivate you into effective action.

*Instead of spending $3,000 on a project, decide to spend $0 and see what ideas you can produce. Instead of spending six months on a project, figure out how you can pull it off in two weeks. This will force you to get creative.

*God gives us everything we need to do for everything you are supposed to do. God can guide not only by what he provides, but also by what he withholds. He may withhold something that you may think you want or need in order to move you. An example from the Bible: the lame man was asking for money and Peter, the disciple, didn’t have money but performed a miracle so the man could walk. What if Peter had just given him money, something the man thought he needed? He never would have received the greater gift of walking.

*Embrace your limitations. If you have everything you want, you might miss what you really need.

*Burn the ships, which means eliminate the options to turn back. Step into the position you are in and commit to it. Whatever it is you are compelled to do, sell out for your mission and vision! Forget about excuses. There is no retreat and no turning back. Don’t give up. Figure out a way.

*There is always an excuse. Don’t tell me what you can’t do. Don’t say you are too young, because before long you will be too old. If you are older you’re not dead, you’re not done. You are still here. You have an assignment.

*Tell me about what you are called to do and why it matters. What are you about? Why does it matter?

*If you commit to the ‘what' and are consumed by your ‘why', you will figure out the ‘how.'

*Ignore the voices that tell you that you aren’t good enough, that you’re not right for the job, that the problem is too big to solve. Take one step forward, stepping out of your doubts, away from the negative voices and insecurity. As unworthy as you feel, you’ve been chosen to inspire and impact others.

*Some of you are one step away from leading your organiztion to where it’s supposed to go, one step away to believing you have what it takes. Change how you see yourself. You don’t have to know it all. Don’t obsess about things that don’t matter.

*Every time you face a problem, decide this is not a problem, this is opportunity to bend the curve. Remember you have everything you need to do everything you are called to do.

*Make a difference, offer hope and change the world. That is what great leaders do.