The Four “P” Tool for Perpetual Productivity

You’ve conceived those great ideas and dreams, right?

I want to smash that course, grab that job, have that dream relationship, seize that business and fly to the top, earn that amount of money, become the dream ‘me’, make my parents proud, and live ‘happily ever after’.

Or, you know you want to soar high, but your inner eyes seem blurred – no vision.

It’s a New Year, and as usual, lots of people make those New Year resolutions, plans and goals.

But, if you could look back at the past year, you probably had some of those thoughts of – I’ll stop doing this, I’ll get that done, I’ll do that better…

Now, let’s grade ourselves. What’s your score? 50%, 29%, 85%?

Whatever it is, I’m so sure you’ll love be and do a whole lot better this year. I definitely want to.

So, I’ve been studying the life of great productive people; from resources and personal encounters. What makes them “exceptionally productive”? –  The kind of productivity that is unlimited, fulfilling and of perpetual impact.

I discovered four operational tools used by them all. I apply these tools and find them so indispensable for anyone who desires a fulfilled life.

In fact, they’re the exact tools I use in building and growing this blog that supplies hundreds of young women, in various countries, inspiring food to eat. In less than a year of launching this Girls Radiant Walk home, I’ve received a number of testimonies and appreciatory notes from people whose lives have been touched in remarkable ways. The productivity rate is more than I envisaged, and a whole lot more is on the way.

So, what are the tools that will make one record profound productivity result, in anything you do?

No much talk! Let’s go grab these 4-P tools!

1. Planning: Alan Lakein described planning in a very explicit way: “Planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now”. Few years before I launched this blog, I’d been having this nudge to start writing to young women. But I just kept on procrastinating, running, looking for a convenient time… when I grasp everything I thought I needed to kick off. The truth is – I had no stated vision, no plan – I was confused and afraid. So the natural thing is, to keep pushing and postponing it. Not until one fateful day (story for another day), I knew I had to face my elephant and start eating it. I got my pen and paper, and started writing those dreams placed in my heart, those goals that must be reached if my dreams will be realized. I outlined the steps required to reach those goals: courses to take, skills to sharpen, things to learn… I picked them one after the other, smashing them and moving forward. The journey is still on, but as I look back at the success so far, I’m like, “Whoa, so I did it!”. Of course, with God by my side. So girl, what’s that thing you want in the future? Bring it here and start working on it. The tools for that plan are -your head (thinking), a pen and a paper. Have a yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily plan – all written down – before you get into each year/month/week/day. But honestly, the journey won’t always be easy. That’s why you need the next tool…

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luke 24:28)

2. Perseverance: The road to greatness is decked with great resistance; it is never an express road. Experience has taught me that! You’re bound to meet challenges, oppositions, failure, fear, and discouragement. There’ll be days of, “I’ve got no strength to move forward”. At some point, I assure you, you’ll want to quit. People will look at you like you’re a big “joker”. You’ll cry yourself to sleep, wake up at night and just start crying… wondering if you’ve made a horrible mistake. Things may not just work out the way you planned, totally. But sis, keep pushing; giving up is not an option. The greatest sin you’ll commit against your destiny is – doubting what God has laid in your heart to do, dropping it, and dashing out. You’ve got to be fearless if your life would be fruitful!  

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

3. Prayer: “Before you begin scrambling up the ladder of success, make sure it is leaning against the right building”, Stephen Covey said. I discovered a timeless truth: Prayers is the hands that carries a man’s success/productivity ladder and rests it firmly on the right building. And where can we find that building? In Jesus. “…Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2: 20, 21). Nothing of eternal significance can be achieved without prayers, without leaning on Jesus. The bits of success I’ve got in every aspect of this blog was born through prayers. From getting the blog name, learning how to skillfully write,setting up the blog site, getting people to read the posts,… I soar on the wings of prayers. You must begin the push in prayers now.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

4. Purity: Huh? What does productivity have to do with purity? Just hold on! You see, the productivity I’m talking about here is not just any kind of productivity, but a perpetual one. One that has eternal significance, will make eternal impact in people’s lives, and will attract eternal rewards. Lots of people acquire and achieve what they call “success”, but it soon gets dead and buried, and even those whose praise are still heralded here on earth have no grain to claim for themselves on the other side of eternity. Rather, what awaits them is gloom and eternal punishment in hell. And the reason for that is not far-fetched; they neglected this tool – PURITY. Purity is got through a relationship with Jesus. We all are born impure (Romans 3: 23), the reward for an impure life is eternal death (Romans 6:23), but Jesus sacrificed His life so that whosoever receives Him as Lord and Saviour would be free (John 3:16). Once you acquire this tool – Purity – it gets sharpened as you constantly meditate on, and study God’s word – the Bible.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

I’m sure you’ve grabbed these tools. Don’t just throw them into your mental box; get them out and put them to work. You will be productive!

Remain Radiant!

Resources

• Eat that frog: Has lots to teach you about planning and putting out procrastination. Have read through it this year. Get a free copy here – http://www.al-edu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Eat_That_Frog.pdf
• Tools for regular planning and organization: I use  – Trello and Any do. Download them ‘free’ from play store.
• Daily devotionals: Lots of good ones, but I use – Daily manna, Open heavens, Our daily guide, Higher everyday. Get hard copies from any good Christian bookshop, or from play store.

P.S. The Radiant Purity Book is about to be launched. Just in about a week time… It’s on fire! If you’re not yet in the Girls Radiant Walk loop, subscribe now, and follow our social media pages. So you’ll be the first to know when it’s on air, and grab your copy.