Productivity

Wow! What a day. What is productive? I think it has to do with being useful or with accomplishing specific tasks.

Sometimes the tasks are very concrete, like doing the laundry and cleaning the toilet. I think accomplishing these tasks are rewarding because there is an immediate result. Shiney toilet!! My favorite tasks for productivity are generally those that can be done outside. Gardening is my favorite. However, all of these types of tasks are repetitive and sort of rote - enjoyable but pretty individualistic and solitary. I gain personal energy and significant personal fullfillment from these tasks if they are outside - not so much for the indoor tasks!

The other level of productivity is being useful to others. I find these to be more social. They are more personally rewarding as a rule. However, the rewards are more subtle.

Today I helped keep score for my son's basketball games. This was useful and rewarding. People were appreciative and I was part of his activity. Later, I participated in a board meeting forva new Christian Mission project. Pretty cool! The Caleb Ministries will help transform and invigorate congregations that are struggling to grow or maintain. I believe that this mission is a good one - our society needs more options for passionate spirituality, doctrinal soundness and loving caring supportive relationships within the Church setting.

Tomorrow, I will have the opportunity to serve lunch at the Topeka Rescue Mission. This will be a great productive task - solid reward when the people are served and totally useful to those who are hungry and the agency that serves them. I will also get to do this wirh friends! Then, tomorrow night I will serve on the Oskaloosa Board of Education. Useful and strangely fun!

So. I'm productive in at least two ways. The only remaining question is... Is this productivity good for me, for my life, for my family? Does it enrich me as a person and my relationships? Hmmm... assessing this is hard. I like feeling productive in both ways. It is important for my personal identity. I see, while writing this, that I am proud of these things. I think the overall impact is positive only if I manage them effectively. Too much productivity and not enough relaxing, fun quality time with my family is bad. Rushing to make it there or struggling to schedule the time are bad. So. Poorly managed productivity can have the opposite effect for myself and my family. Effective management of productivity is imperative! I'm going to do better with this!


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