Having been very busy and a lot to get through each day, it was good to be reminded about strategies that are needed to be productive. We can easily get caught up with constantly working, but because of distractions, poor planning and even being unsure of what we are trying to achieve all contribute to lack of motivation, a poor use of time and even working long hours to achieve low outputs.
What does the Bible say?
We need to do what God has given us to do while we can.
4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4
We need to be wise how we use our days and plan for success.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Proverbs 90:12
God has places us where we are for a reason.
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Use every opportunity we have to be successful in what God has given us to do.
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6
It is important to know what to do and to do it. We do not know how long we have to do now what God has given us to do.
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:13-17
In the YouTube video titled "Here is how to never waste your time again" we are given some wise tips:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSb_3umhkPI
Tip 1: Give yourself set times to complete a task.
This should be a minimum time and just enough time to complete the task. (It is suggested you choose a time you think it should take and then halve this time) The more time you give yourself the more time you will use to get it done. This allows time for distraction.
Aim to finish the task and not to focus on quality. Having to work quickly forces you to be creative and find new ways to get it done.
Tip 2: Stop wasting time on your phone.
97% of people are distracted by their mobile phone due to texts, emails, surfing or social media. If you stopped wasting time on your phone then you would be much more productive. Put your phone down and look up at the world around you!
When we stop being distracted on our phones, we can stay focused and get more things done. We start to focus on growing and not just gazing at a screen.
We have become so addicted to checking our phones that we do not know how to exist without them. Our apps have become more important than our lives!
The time we waste on the phone is huge. For example, if we sleep for 8 hours, we have 16 hours in the day. If we work 8 then we have 7-8 free hours a day. We may spend 4 or more hours a day checking our screens. If we are not looking at a screen constantly, what could we be doing instead to grow relationships or to learn or contribute to others.
When we check our phones first thing in the morning, we give sovereignty and power to our phones.
What you can do.
Have a go at the following
Pray each day that God will give you wisdom in what you complete and that you will be productive.
Set goals for what you do. Work out the time it will spend, half it and aim to complete it in the time. Use a stopwatch to check to keep you on time. See what this does to your productivity.
Do an audit of the time you waste on your phone.
Turn your phone off when completing tasks.
Have set times to check your phone during the day. Have a time limit.
Use an analogue alarm in your bedroom and keep phones out!
Check your phone after breakfast and not when you get up.
Today is the day to reclaim the hours you waste and to not only be more productive, but know how to use the reclaimed time to spend time with God, learn, relax or enjoy what you have achieved.