Why Productivity Isn’t Everything
How to live a balanced life
When’s the last time you went outside, laid on the grass, and just like, watched the clouds roll by?
Before this morning, I don’t think I’ve done that since I was a kid. Because who has time to just lay down and look up at the sky? There’s a million and one other things to be done.
But this morning brought me back to something important that I think a lot of adults forget as we grow up: The importance of carefree leisure.
Yes, leisure. Something I haven’t had time for in months given my current state in life.
You see, I’m the “yes girl”—the girl who says yes to any and every good opportunity because I want to do all the things! But recently I hit a breaking point and realized just how overcommitted I was. I was burning the candle at both ends, trying to pour myself into all my obligations, be present to family and friends, while also trying to make plans for my future. But I felt like I was failing at everything because I wasn’t able to truly give my all to any one thing. I was prioritizing productivity and quantity over quality.
The Purpose of Productivity
I’ve previously viewed my desire to be productive as a good thing—I get things done and make things happen. I’m not the type of girl to sit around and wait for someone else to do the work; I’d rather just do it myself. I love making to-do lists and creating an actionable plan for how to accomplish a goal. I’m goal-oriented and mission-driven.
But when I found myself at my breaking point—juggling way too many commitments and having a daily to-do list a mile long—God opened my eyes to how productivity is not always a good thing. Sometimes it causes me to miss out on blessings and graces He wants to give me. What’s the point of doing if you have no time to be?
My day was so scheduled and regimented in order to keep up with everything I had going on in my life. I had no room for leisure, no room for rest, and even though I tried to leave one day a week open for friends and family, I was failing at that, too. Productivity was my life. Which made me question: What is the purpose of my productivity?
Take a Break. (And a Deep Breath).
Productivity isn’t the end in itself. The purpose behind the work is more important than productivity. Because at the end of the day, if you get your whole to-do list done, but have neglected prayer and brushed off opportunities for quality time with loved ones just so you could be more productive, what’s the point?
I realized something was off in my own life when I would spend time with family and friends, but constantly be checking the time to make sure that I had left enough space in my day to get my work done. Or I’d get annoyed with friends and co-workers who stopped by my desk at work to “chit chat” because it would take valuable time away from my day, causing me to get less done.
But do you think Jesus, if approached by someone wanting to talk or spend time with Him, would have said, “Sorry I’ve got too much work to do”?
Christ is the KING of quality time. That’s how He built His Kingdom on earth. And we’re called to do the same—by valuing time spent with people over time spent with our computers. By investing in relationships more than our 401Ks. By creating space in our lives for holy leisure more often than we create room for more tasks to be done. We are called to love deeply, not necessarily vastly.
Say No. Do Less For More.
While we can’t always say yes to family and friends that want to hangout—we still need to be faithful to our obligations and daily duties—we can all do a better job at prioritizing quality over quantity. We need to get the work done that God is calling us to, but if we don’t have time to invest in relationships and spend time in holy leisure as well, then something needs to change. Maybe that’s a sign that we’re overcommitted and saying yes to too many things.
If you’re like me—if you tend to say yes to any good opportunity but sacrifice personal time for yourself, the Lord, and your loved ones—learn to say no. Learn to prioritize. We can’t do it all, and it’s okay to miss out on some things to invest deeply rather than broadly. I’m telling myself as much as I’m telling you.
Listen to the words of my sister: “Never pass up an opportunity to make a memory.” Say yes to quality and no to quantity. Give yourself to people more than to things.
And I challenge you to go outside. Lay in the grass. Keep the phone inside; don’t check the time. Just watch the clouds roll by.
From the depths of my soul,
About The Author
Josie Kuhlman is a Florida gal born and raised with a heart for Jesus and people. After graduating from the University of Florida in 2018, where she competed on the tennis team and even won a Natty title, she pursued a brief professional career before she felt God tugging her heart to serve in a deeper way.
After running an online ministry, blog, and podcast for two years, she took a full time job at a parish in Jacksonville where she currently serves as the Co-Director of Discipleship and Evangelization. In her free time, Josie enjoys freelance photography and writing, competing in ANYTHING with her five older brothers and sister, exploring coffee shops, and spending quality time with those she loves most. You can find more about her here.