Busy vs. Productive: Which One Are We?

In today’s world, being productive almost seems like a demand. As we become more connected - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if necessary - and with all kinds of technology, the pressure to always be productive feels greater and greater. We want to keep producing, we want to keep making progress. Busy seems almost like a necessity. The more we do, it seems to be an accomplishment or achievement for us.

The rise of hustle culture, a culture that measures achievement by the length of work hours, motivation to work 80 hours a day, seems to steer us toward working long and hard. But is this kind of lifestyle good for us to adopt as a Christian?

Busy Vs. Productive: What’s the Difference?

Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15‭-‬16 NIV

Paul reminds the Ephesian church to live wisely and to make the most of every opportunity (making the most of every opportunity). Which means that we need to be productive in using time. 

Being busy does not guarantee that we will be productive. The difference is very easy to see. Busy and productive can be distinguished very easily by the results, or at least by the progress. Results will speak. A person who seems to keep moving but has no results is a busy person. Meanwhile, a productive person is most likely busy too, but there are results. There are measurable results. Something gets made. There is significant progress.

This simple illustration may help. A busy person is like running in place. It looks like movement, and there is sweat too. But they remain in the same place. Meanwhile, a productive person is like someone who runs forward. They move, they sweat, but they do not end up in the same place. They reach their goal and are no longer where they started.

Why Can People Be Unproductive?

Busy people usually have the wrong focus. As long as they are working, always connected, even still working after coming home. They are unable to distinguish which tasks are important and which are less important. Whatever the task is, they are always ready to do it. In the end, people like this become exhausted, burdened, and unproductive in their work.

By contrast, true productivity means placing the right focus. Productive people know what is important and focus there. They are able to allocate time properly and assign their tasks effectively within that span of time. As a result, progress and outcomes are easy to monitor. Energy and time are not wasted.

“If you give yourself 30 days to clean your home, it will take 30 days. But if you give yourself 3 hours, it will take 3 hours. The same applies to your goals, ambitions, and plans.”  – Elon Musk

“If you give yourself 30 days to clean your home, it will take 30 days. But if you give yourself 3 hours, it will take 3 hours. The same applies to your goals, ambitions, and plans.” – Elon Musk

Learning Focus and Priority from Mary and Martha

We can find a lesson about focus and priority in the story of Mary and Martha. Their story is found in Luke 10:38-42. 

At that time Jesus was in a village, and He visited two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary sat and listened as Jesus taught, while Martha was very busy serving. Martha, so overwhelmed, asked Jesus to have Mary help her. But what was Jesus’ answer?

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her” (vv. 41-42).

What can we learn? Martha, so busy with her work, forgot to focus on Jesus. By contrast, Mary chose to focus and listen to Jesus teaching, and so received “the better part,” namely Jesus’ own teaching.

In the previous point we discussed Ephesians 5:15-16. The most important thing is written in verse 17, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Implied in this verse is, “Do not waste time on things that are not important. But do what is most important, namely to understand the Lord’s will.”

Mary used her time productively by sitting and listening to Jesus. Mary also had priorities that were right. Perhaps Mary knew that Jesus would not be on earth much longer, so she gave all her time and energy to listening to Jesus. If we knew that our life on earth had only 1-2 years left, what would you do? Surely you would not waste time on unimportant things, right?

What Are Your Focus and Priorities as a Christian?

Referring to the story of Mary and Martha, here is the lesson for us: proper focus and priorities matter. As Christians, our focus and priorities must be on God. That must be the one thing that cannot be bargained away or negotiated. The question is, are God our focus and priority? 

If so, do you take time to read His word every day and pray, just like Mary who focused on listening to the Lord? If you do not have time for this, then perhaps God is not really your focus and priority. 

After that, then we sort things out. We focus and give priority to what is truly important. Do we today have focus and priorities, so that we can do the things that truly matter?

 “People make time for what matters to them.” – Emily Giffin 

“People make time for what matters to them.” – Emily Giffin

Nobody is too busy, it’s just a matter of priorities.

No one is too busy; it is only a matter of priorities.

Being Productive: Having the Right Focus and Priorities

Busy is not the same as productive. If we are only busy, but produce nothing and remain in the same place, that means we are only busy, not productive. Focus and priority are the keys to true productivity. Long work hours and a heavy workload are not the right measure. With focus, we can give our best.

Doing work properly, effectively, and efficiently is certainly far better than doing a lot with no meaningful results. When it is like this, work will also feel more enjoyable, won’t it?

And as Christians, remember, we need to have the right priorities. Above all work, busyness, and even our church activities, God wants us to give time to God. Quiet time, prayer, building a relationship with God, and living according to His will are things that must become our non-negotiable priorities. 

Let us become people who are productive, effective, and efficient, not merely busy. Keep it up!

References: www.epicquotes.com/nobody-is-too-busy-it-is-a-matter-of-priorities/ www.interestingengineering.com/musk-change-the-world-by-80-hour-work-week www.quotefancy.com/quote/2064427/Emily-Giffin-People-make-time-for-what-matters-to-them www.quotesaga.com/quote/6042 -  Related Articles:

• Recognize the Trap of Toxic Productivity and How to Overcome It
• Finding Peace in the Midst of a Mother’s Daily Busyness
• “Why Do I Work?” Understand Christian Principles of Work
• Wise with Time: Make Every Moment Count
• Are Your Life Priorities in the Right Place?

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