A few weeks ago I was watching a YouTube video in which the speaker detailed all the systems he uses to be productive. He talked about systems for goals, habits, finances, health, time management, and more.
Even though it was helpful advice, seeing it all at once was honestly a little exhausting.
I found myself resonating a bit with the top comment which read:
I’m actually tired of constantly striving and trying to achieve things. I’m in the phase where I just want to be and exist to enjoy life.
As a productivity teacher myself, I recognize that there is always a danger of overwhelming already overwhelmed people with “solutions.”
Incidentally, that’s why our Waypoints to Well Done curriculum is spaced out over nine weeks—because most people don’t need more information, they need time to implement what they already know.
But the reason I bring this up is that being inundated with self-improvement advice can actually breed a kind of anti-productivity sentiment or burnout. And we can kind of backlash against the whole project.
Yes, we need to rest, relax, and enjoy the life God has given us. This too is worship and worthy activity in its own right. But I also have to remind myself that as a Christian, I simply don’t have the option of coasting.
Balance is needed here.
The same God who calls us to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14) also calls the weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28).
God isn’t looking to produce exhausted strivers. But we have to recognize that as servants of the King of Kings, there is work to be done.
I love the way Jonathan Edwards put it:
A true and faithful Christian does not make holy living an accidental thing. It is his great concern. As the business of the soldier is to fight, so the business of the Christian is to be like Christ.
Growth into Christlikeness doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentionality.
This is why I believe the tools of personal productivity do matter. I build systems around how I manage my time, pursue my goals, and practice my habits because it’s my business to become more like Christ and pursue the calling He has given me in this life.
Sometimes we need to hear the message of rest. But sometimes we need to be reminded that this life is not our own and there is work to be done.
