I found this book very helpful in pulling together all the good parts of different productivity systems and combining them in a way that keeps the gospel and working out it’s implications as the primary focus of our lives.
The book is very systematic and detailed, with helpful summaries and action points for each chapter.
If you’ve read much Steve Covey, David Allen and Scott Belsky, you will find a lot of his productivity theory familiar. I was able to skip over some bits that I’ve previously read and already benefited a lot from, from the other authors.
A few things I found particularly helpful:
- schedule my whole week, and not just 9-5, so that I can actually give prayerful thought to how I can plan to do good
- no man has a right to be idle. Be productive, so that I can do more good
- integrate prayer in all aspects of productivity and planning
- serve up (those above me in authority), and serve down
- if you have the planning and architecting of your life right, at any given moment, you can ask the question ‘what’s best next’ and proceed in that way
- planning my week is about maximising myself
You can buy this online from Amazon. Here is the table of contents.
Some of my notes and key take-aways:
The book is all about combining theology and time management.
Productivity is about
- effectiveness (not efficiency)
- character (not technique)
- God and others first
- engagement (not control).
Measure productivity by results not activity
Focus on outcomes, not activities
This is about doing all things in the best way to the glory of God.
We need to learn how to work and be effective in a knowledge economy, where work is not defined, and we need to manage ambiguity and overload.
Do the RIGHT things, not just more of the wrong things in an efficient manner
The most important reality is a person, not a principle.
Being productive is maximising my stewardship of time, talents and resources.
It is in the mundane things we do everyday that we serve God and others
God wants us to do good works (Matt 5:16), so be productive to do as much good as I can
Be abundant and liberal in doing good
Be useful! Be joyful in obedience
Love is the guiding principle of productivity. Put others first
Character manifests itself in action (By their fruit…)
Let all your debts be motivated by love
Get everything out of your head in prayer
Only secure people can serve (i.e. justified by faith)
Decide what really matters, and then do it.
Do one thing at a time, and do first things first
What is my purpose – overall reason for existence – glorify God and enjoy him
What are my principles – the things I would live and die for
What are my core beliefs – gospel
What are my life goals – the things I really want to do and God wants me to do
Create a structure and routines for my week
Time is like space, it gets filled up, it needs to be managed well
To get more done, reduce – schedule to 70% and focus on getting each thing done.
Delegation is great because it’s also an act of love to empower others
Pray, pray, pray as I plan.
If I find I am procrastinating too much, maybe I am doing the wrong job?
Don’t spend all my energy climbing the ladder only to discover I am on the wrong ladder!
Be proactive – intentional, planned, prepared – about doing GOOD!
- who will I intentionally seek to bless this week
- what opportunities do I have
- what blocks or risks are involved
- what do I need to do to prepare today
Christian love disposes Christians to be public spirited – Jeremiah 29:7
Be creative, competent and audacious in doing all the good you can in the world
Make being useful the main design and ambition of your life, so that the world would be better for us having lived in it.