Many of us can recognize unproductivity when it comes to us looking like blatant idleness, but it is much harder to identify when it bustles and scurries about. Let me explain. To understand unproductivity we must understand the concept of true work and then can recognize unproductivity in the light of avoidance of true work.
To me true work has three facets: Effort, Priority, and Diligence. Let's see what happens to productivity when we systematically remove each one of these three ingredients to see what's left.
First, let's take out effort.
We'll call the person who works without effort the Talker. You can find him or her at every level.
- They talk about sports but never play.
- They talk about ministry but never sacrifice.
- They talk about work but never risk.
True work can only be accomplished with significant effort. That doesn't mean that all effort is manual. I am convinced that many are engrossed in activities of manual labor because of avoidance of serious mental effort. There is certainly great gain from effort, whether it is physical or mental.
Second, let's remove priority, and we are left with effort and diligence. Let's call this person the Terrorist. They are certainly working and they are giving attention and diligence, but at the heart of the matter they are choosing to do tasks in the quantity and order they prefer instead of systematically endeavoring to conquer those tasks that have the highest priority and value to the organization they serve. When a personal priority conflicts with organizational priorities the terrorist chooses when and where to execute his own interests.
Third, let's remove diligence from the equation. Here, we are left with effort and priority. Let's label this person the Temp. Think of an organization where you have seen a lot of temporary workers. What are some of the key characteristics of that work force? They have no stake hold. They work and work at priorities, but they lack the fortitude and longevity to have great effect.
Let's all seek the Lord for his strength to work with excellence and purpose in all we do. The word declares in Proverbs 25:28 (CJB) "Like a city breached, without walls, is a person who lacks self-control."
Lord, for myself and all the KBA members we ask you to empower us through the Holy Spirit to work with diligence, excellence, priority, and tenacity. Lord, we need and rely on your help for this. For the cause of Christ we pray, Amen.