The most productive people have three important things in common: they’re organized, they set goals, and they stay focused. But there are other habits that these high achievers share that you may not have considered. Let’s explore five of the best habits to help you along your journey to improving productivity, with a biblical perspective to inspire and guide you.
Stop Multitasking
Research has shown that multitasking impairs your performance. On low-level activities such as doing laundry while completing other household chores, multitasking may be okay, but you can’t multitask when it comes to your higher-level, big-picture objectives.
It may feel like you’re accomplishing more, but switching between tasks disrupts your cognitive processing. The most productive individuals devote specific timeframes to a single project to achieve a deep level of mental focus and get the greatest possible results. Remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. ( At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”)
While Martha was busy multitasking with household chores, Mary chose to focus on one important thing—listening to Jesus. Jesus praised Mary for choosing what was better, emphasizing the importance of focused attention.
Treat Failures as a Learning Experience
The most successful individuals are not afraid to make mistakes. They go after what they want without overthinking the consequences, and each failure is viewed as an opportunity for growth. Taking chances is critical if you want to become productive, efficient, and self-assured.
Productive people learn from their mistakes and take measures to avoid making the same mistake in the future. When feeling like you have failed, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? What can I improve? Reflect on the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33.
(Jesus Walks on the Water)
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”)
Though Peter began to sink when he doubted, Jesus was there to lift him up. Peter learned from his momentary failure and went on to be a foundational leader in the early church.
Have a Morning Routine
Having a consistent morning routine sets you up for success and improves productivity throughout the day. Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast, 20-30 minutes of exercise, and reading or journaling can all help boost your energy levels, increase your focus, and create a more positive mindset. An easy but effective morning routine will set the tone for the rest of the day and help you maintain motivation to get things done.
Consider Proverbs 31:15, (Proverbs 31:15
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.)
which describes the virtuous woman who rises early to provide for her household. Establishing a morning routine rooted in spiritual and physical preparation can empower you to meet the day’s challenges with grace and determination.
Apply the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule, also called the Pareto principle, says that eighty percent of your results come from twenty percent of your actions. To improve productivity, you need to better understand which activities provide the best results. With that knowledge, you can focus more time on the tasks that actively move you toward your goals. Get rid of the tasks that have little to no impact on your overall efficiency and instead focus on the small number of tasks that will get you 80% of the results you desire.
Reflect on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The servants who wisely invested their talents received a greater return. By focusing on the most fruitful tasks, you can multiply your efforts and achieve greater productivity.
Embrace the Word ‘No’
It can be tempting to say yes to every opportunity; you never know what it might lead to. But overextending yourself can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and frustration. Plus, if you say yes to things that don’t help you reach your goals, you’re also wasting valuable time and resources.
Productive people don’t feel uncomfortable saying ‘no.’ They know the value of their time and treat it like a precious resource (because it is!). To reach your goals, you must be deliberate with your time. We only get 1,440 minutes each day – don’t give that time away without considering how it will impact you and your goals. Remember Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. When distractions came his way, he confidently said, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3). (3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”) He knew the importance of focusing on his God-given mission.
The usual understanding of productivity is having the ability to complete a lot in a brief period. While this is true, it isn’t comprehensive. True productivity entails the capacity to generate high-impact outcomes quickly. This is the type of productivity that matters, not busy work that has no long-term impact. Adding these habits to your daily routine will enable you to do just that. Embrace these principles and allow them to guide you on a path of meaningful, productive work that glorifies God and fulfills your purpose.
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Blessings, Shonta Rogers
