BE PRODUCTIVE AND MULTIPLY
To be productive is to make good use of your resources; the things embedded in and around you to achieve maximum result or satisfaction. Maximisation of resources such as time, talent, money, relationship, knowledge, etc. for good results is referred to as productivity.
The root word of productivity --“Product” is an item, most times, tangible, that is gotten from the processing of various raw materials. To liken it to productivity, we can say productivity is the result of a process (resource) to bring about a product (results). For instance, Palm tree is a resource that brings many products such as fond for beautification, wine, broom, etc. It is therefore safe to say that productivity is processing your resources to give positive and purposeful results or outcomes.
Betterup.com defines Productivity as converting inputs into useful outputs. You see, at the end of the day, productivity is to show forth good results, especially one that gives that sense of fulfilment for achieving something substantial rather than just allowing time to pass.
Being alive, we get engaged in different activities on different levels; physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, secular and in other ways. However, we sometimes just do those things for the sake of doing them, or because we have routines for those activities or even because we see others do them.
Instead of passing time just doing those activities, it is more rewarding and wise that those activities be carried out with understanding of the purpose for that activity and fervor for optimum productivity.
With every day that makes up for our very long, yet short life, it would be wise of us to ensure that every day counts, and that our time and resources count too! That way, we’ll get all the good results and be productive. In addition, maxim productivity makes for self-actualisation and a true sense of living; and not just us being a matter on earth.
To a lot of people, productivity might just mean different things. It is however good to note that it simply entails maximizing your resources (Time, money, relationship, a leverage, knowledge, etc.) for your benefit, that of others, and to the Glory of God.
In fact, I found out that it is even a command from God to be productive. Check Genesis 1:28’ where "God commands Adam and Eve to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. While the popular explanation of this verse might be related to giving birth to children, but in the real sense of it, or contextualizing it in this discuss, it entails us being multipliers of the good "seeds and fruits" embedded in our care.
Hence, as we go about getting involved in life’s undertakings, bear in mind that being productive is a command from God Almighty. Another reference even, is the parable of the talents. The man with one talent who wasn't productive with his talent was dismissed and left with nothing, while the ones who had three and five talents respectively that maximised theirs, got more talents.
You can see that it's part of our mandates as human beings to stay productive seeing that it's even a command from God. I also mentioned it in one of the episodes of my podcast Talks With Tess. You can check here.
We now grasp the concept of productivity, and where this piece's inspiration is gotten from. However, what then isn’t productivity?
Productivity isn’t:
Busying Around: Sometimes, we mistake engaging in activities as being productive, which is quite erroneous. Having a lot of things going on, or feigning busy and not getting maximum result and or satisfaction isn’t productivity.
Lazing Around: If you don’t stand up to or start getting things done, there never will be something to show forth or that will give you results.Check Proverbs 12:27 It further explains that laziness will never get you those good results; what you are after. Being lazy isn't productivity.
Ignoring Your Plans: Making a plan is one, executing them is another thing entirely. If you have a plan and you keep pushing it aside, never expect any form of productivity on that plan. I know the thrill of having a big plan, that we even sometimes confuse it for productivity, it's just the first step of the journey. If you haven't worked on that plan and gotten a result, it is not yet productivity.
For Selfish Gains: Productivity isn’t carrying out activities that are only for your selfish gains, especially if at the detriment of others.
Being Cool with Failure or a Setback: Failure is part of life. A popular saying: "Show me a man who has never made a mistake, and I will show you one who has never tried anything.” depicts that failure is part of life. This is absolutely true! In fact, many inventions in our world today, was as a result of the many failures turned into good results.
However, if you entertain failure and make it hang around for longer instead of learning from the experience(s) and moving on, then be sure to stay either unproductive or less productive.
Pointer to What Productivity is:
Satisfaction: This is the first pointer to know that one is being productive. For one to be productive, you need to have a plan or set goal in mind to want to achieve. Else, you flow with the tides and end up doing nothing tangible or be inefficient with the tangible thing you have on your plate. If you get satisfaction from the plan you set out and execute, bear in mind that you have gotten productive with your plan. Imagine planning to organize an outreach to some youths and adolescents, and you were able to materialize it, you'll end up feeling satisfied especially after seeing the good impact it has on the adolescents and youths; that sense of satisfaction can never be bought. Or a satisfaction that you spent your time judiciously, I guess you can relate.
Results Don’t Lie!: Ever heard a student say my grade was given to me when they don’t get high scores? If you haven’t, some students do say that maybe just to "cover face". Anyways, this might be true in some educational systems where there are loopholes in the system, which still boils down to the system not being productive enough with the resources it has. Now, there are instances where some students who weren’t diligent enough say they gave them their grade instead of saying that they earn it, especially when it is a low grade. Cases like this, it’s usually because such a student hasn’t used the resources of time, and some educational materials properly, so they get their grades. The good results you get when executing a plan or carrying out an activity makes for the PRODUCTIVITY THAT YOU GET. Which is usually a pointer to maximum utilization of the resource that you have. Yeah, life may happen, but we are making lemonades, dhur!
Mindfulness of Progress: The mindset to be progressive is a pointer to productivity. Since the mind is where it all begins; if your mind is full of progressiveness, you’ll be geared towards doing all things positive to achieve productivity. If you find yourself thinking progress, then you can be sure that productivity is yours, especially if you work on that mindset of progress.
Solution/Impact Driven: This is related to the above point. A mind that is ready to do things to grant solutions to challenges, or to make impact is most likely going to carry out actions that are worthwhile and productive. Hence, warp your mind around being impactful, and see productivity accompany you always.
A Sense of Commitment: The readiness to put yourself into a task will make for productivity. When you commit yourself to a task or project, it will make you remain focused, and carry out your activities with excellence and not just to do it for doing sake. As in, a sense of commitment makes you count not the days, but makes your day count. I have been in a group where I didn't commit myself,you know the result, I ended up not being productive, because I didn't do anything! So commit yourself to that thing, organisation, dreams, plans, project, work, relationship, routine, diet plan, and watch productivity be a part of you.
The “Hows” on Achieving Productivity
Since we know what productivity is and isn't, it is fair we talk about procedures to get productive especially in a way to get maxim satisfaction with self and life.
• Understand Yourself: This one is very vital. The understanding of your being will guide you in choosing the activities you want to and not want to get engaged in. It will guide even on the time that you ought to get something done. If you understand yourself, your purpose too will be known. That way, you wouldn’t just be living just anyhow, but you will be achieving purpose and staying productive.
• Asking the Creator to Guide You: God has each and everyone’s manual, for he created us, hence, he had a plan in mind during our creation. God is aware of our "doings", and is highly interested in the things that we do and want to do, even in the things we think are the most irrelevant. Since God is interested, save yourself the stress, ask him on the way to go. Sometimes, one might appear successful to others, but might not be living according to God’s design. This may lead to dissatisfaction for such an individual. Asking the All-knowing God to show you the way is bliss, even when there might be a mist along the line. With this, peace of mind and satisfaction becomes your companion.
• Have a Plan/Goal: This one can’t be overemphasized. Having a plan will help you set your mind on the result that you ought to get. It wouldn’t make you just go to every and no where or make you just live without any thing to look forward to. Anyways, after making the plans, kindly place it in God’s hand for blessings, and or approval or even disapproval ---You know, God is adventurous. Make a plan, make it bigger than your present.
• Don’t Copy others: If you have a plan and keeping to it, you would definitely not copy others. Rather, you can only get inspirations to do yours in your uniqueness. You don’t use other peoples’ timeline to do yours. Do what is suitable and ideal for you so you wouldn’t end up wasting time. That way, you can be sure to get your positive result which relates to productivity.
• Do Your Bit with Excellence and Integrity: This simply means "do what you have to do thoroughly." Avoid laziness and do it at the time you ought to. After ranges of experiences of me lazing around, I came to a conclusion that laziness makes one work harder than one could have. This is so because the result you would get when you do something lazily, most times wouldn’t be satisfactory, so you would have to start all over, which means double work and time mismanagement. So, the Little or Big thing that you have to do should be done with excellence and uprightness; put in your best. Also is integrity to yourself and to others: this will make you more productive, and get optimum results.
• Don’t be Complacent: “There is always more to get done”, “It can always get better” -- These sayings aid me into getting up for more. While it is cool to be satisfied with the cool results already gotten, don’t glory too long in the last positive result you got, celebrate your wins, and go for more, there is always more to get done. This tip would help avoid stagnancy. If you don’t move like the clock, you would be left behind.
Now that we are here; lets do a little bit of reflection:
Reflect on how you have been productive, reflect on the level of productivity you are attaining, do you feel more can be done? or that which you are doing should be reinforced?
What do you think you have in your care or that has been in your mind and not utilizing?
If you sometimes feel less productive or unproductive as you would really wish for, what do you think is the cause?
Make a mental note and or do some journaling
In all, Productivity isn’t farfetched, it is something that you can produce and lives with with you, and it is easy to achieve. Even as it is a command from God himself that we should be fruitful and multiply, these tips above should either guide you or reiterate your knowledge on staying productive.
Keep multiplying all the good gifts and resources that you have. Stay Productive Fam!
XOXO! With Love from Big Tess.😍😍