The Proof of My Living: Productivity

Results are the desired outcome;
Standards are the benchmarks we set.

Fruits are the harvest we expect;
Cultivation is the work we undertake.

Yielding is the hope we have;
Necessaries are the actions we perform.

Efficiency is the goal we aim for;
Pressure is the catalyst we engage.

Greatness is the destiny we seek;
Principles are the foundations we follow.

But...
When standards fail to yield results,
When cultivation doesn’t bear the expected fruits,
When necessary actions fail to produce,
When pressure doesn’t bring efficiency,
When principles seem to oppose greatness—

Then,
What lies beneath the surface?
What silent truth remains unspoken?

The Essence of Productivity

Productivity, as defined by dictionaries and various schools of thought, is the ability to achieve meaningful results, efficiency, and yield through adherence to standards, principles, and correct methodologies. It is more than activity; it is the attainment of tangible results from purposeful engagement. True productivity arises when we align our efforts with the right principles, utilizing resources efficiently and effectively.

In the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1, God’s activities—His spoken word and actions—brought forth tangible results. He created, He spoke, and results were made evident. Just as God had the power to create and bring forth results, He gave humanity the ability to do the same (Genesis 1:28a). Productivity is rooted in priority—if we fail to prioritize our actions and engagements, productivity remains a distant dream.

The Pathway to Productivity

So, how do we step into the ordained office of productivity and harness the power to produce results?

Some might say:

Know your God deeply.
Desire to make a meaningful impact with every activity.
Work on your weaknesses, and transform them into strengths.
Make sacrifices that provoke results and unlock new levels.
Prioritize your activities to ensure every action leads to fruitful results.

These truths are valid and powerful, but let us also recognize that after God granted humanity the ability to produce results (Genesis 1:28a), He placed us in charge of creation (Genesis 1:28b-31) and tasked us with managing and cultivating it (Genesis 2:15). Therefore, no matter how much we strive, we must understand that management is the key to unlocking true productivity.

Management: The Surest Path to Productivity

Management is the vehicle that carries us toward the realization of productivity. It encompasses every effort that seeks to yield results and transform our visions into reality. Let’s break down how management plays a role in achieving productivity:

Goals and Visions

Drafting goals and articulating visions is not enough. The true measure of productivity is how well we manage those goals and visions to fruition. A ship without a captain will surely drift aimlessly, and a plane without a pilot is destined for disaster. Similarly, if we lack the strategic management of our goals, we will not achieve success. Goals and visions are not mere words—they are to be manifested in due time. It’s not enough to set goals; you must manage them wisely, use the right resources, and employ the necessary strategies to turn them into reality.

Resources

Resources are the raw materials given to us by God. They are the seeds of potential—seeds that require diligent management to yield a fruitful harvest. Think of your resources as a farmer thinks of his seeds. No farmer would consume his seeds or neglect them during the planting season and expect a bountiful harvest. A seed will remain a seed unless it is nurtured, cultivated, and protected from external threats. In the same way, your talents, gifts, and opportunities are seeds that require investment and care. Cultivate your life today; your raw materials are the foundation of your future success.

Relationships

Relationships are vital resources. Humans are not isolated entities; they are interconnected vessels of potential and opportunity. To neglect relationships is to ignore a powerful key to success. As the Bible reminds us, God designed humans to be interdependent. Men are gifts to be managed wisely—they are ladders, passages, gateways to greater opportunities. Whether they build you up or tear you down, relationships are central to your productivity. Treat every person as a potential conduit to greater things, and manage these relationships with the same wisdom and care God shows in His dealings with us.

Opportunities

God daily loads us with benefits and opportunities—yet many fail to recognize or fully seize them. Opportunities are often hidden in plain sight, but they must be recognized and harnessed for true productivity. It’s not enough to merely see opportunities; we must manage them diligently, nurture them, and use them to fuel our progress. Just as a farmer does not plant seeds without expecting a harvest, we must approach opportunities with the mindset of nurturing them until they bear fruit.

Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

While effective management is essential for productivity, several factors can undermine even the best efforts:

Indiscipline: Without self-control and discipline, productivity becomes a distant dream.
Failure to Plan Strategically: A lack of direction leads to wasted efforts.
Procrastination: Delaying action stunts progress and leads to missed opportunities.
Magnifying the Unnecessaries: Focusing on distractions or trivial matters can derail your efforts.

Stay vigilant and address these pitfalls to ensure your management efforts remain on course. Without discipline and a clear plan, productivity will always remain out of reach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, productivity is not merely the act of doing—it is the intentional and strategic management of goals, resources, relationships, and opportunities to achieve results. Just as God, in His wisdom, created and managed the universe, so too must we manage our lives, activities, and resources in alignment with His principles. By following the path of strategic management, we unlock the power to achieve greatness and fulfill our divine purpose.

The Proof of my Living- Productivity