Three Lies About Productivity
(Guest Blog by Haley Cleveland)
I am zealous about productivity (which I use to mean everything under the ‘life management’ umbrella). In college I utilized planners and highlighters to balance three jobs and eighteen course credits—organization kept me on track to graduate. In my current stage, as a first-time mom, I’ve found myself especially drawn to podcasts on topics like organization, decluttering, and goal planning.
In many ways, the various aspects and priorities of life are like a puzzle, and I enjoy fitting it together in each new season. Yet I’ve been troubled by some of the messages sent through the various podcasts and articles on the internet—especially from Christian sources. Can there be a ‘dark side’ to productivity? I now think that there is. Let me give some examples:
On a recent podcast I listened to about time management, moms were encouraged to manage time according to their desires, not necessarily their family’s needs. For example, if you feel the need to go to the spa every week, (but it’s not doable in your family’s budget), then you should prioritize a way to make it possible to go to the spa.
Several books have been released, geared towards a Christian audience, with a “hustle” message. One resource encouraged moms who don’t want to stay at home to learn to “hustle”; they should work hard to build their own business so that they don’t need to be a stay at home mom.
On a decluttering resource I recently used, moms were encouraged to eliminate clutter as a way of exercising control over their stress, home, family life, etc.
Before I address some of the problematic messages, please don’t misunderstand me! I’m the biggest advocate for learning how to manage time, work hard, and deal with clutter. These are good things to do; but the real question is, why do we seek to do these things? Is it for personal satisfaction? Eliminating all stress from our life? Because it has a meaningful outcome for our family?
The resources I had stumbled upon had all these “why’s” and more, but they ultimately missed the biggest reason: As a born-again believer, my goal should always be to honor God and give God glory. They actually undermined God’s glory by promoting three lies:
Lie 1: You Actually Have Control
Minimalism is a rising trend today, and for good reason! Less stuff often translates to less work, cleaning, and even stress. But sometimes Christian “experts” in this field send the wrong message: that if you declutter and live a minimalist lifestyle, you will have a peaceful and stress-free life. Others suggest that you learn to manage your time well so that you can prioritize yourself. One podcast even suggested that moms treat themselves right now because they may not be able to in the future.
Ultimately, the messages they are sending are that you can control your life. Do these things and you will finally build and control the life you’ve always wanted. But what if decluttering doesn’t change your ungodly attitude, and your home still lacks peace? What if you have done all the time management tips and you are still having unexpected trials and struggles?
When we buy into the lie that we can control our lives, homes, and families, we’ve forgotten God’s sovereignty. This type of mindset only brings more anxiety, more desire to control, and fear about what can happen outside our sphere. Psalm 33:16-19 describes how kings are not saved by their armies and warriors cannot count on their strength—God is ultimately in control over our lives, not us! Verse 20 says, “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” God desires us to be wise and use our talents to take care of ourselves and our families, but it is not our own efforts that bring the outcome we desire. Rather, it is our souls finding rest and trust in God’s sovereignty—and isn’t soul rest what we really want?
Lie 2: You Can’t Serve Without Self-Care
Many, many articles, books, websites, and podcasts (even from Christian perspectives) will encourage women to take time for themselves and practice self-care. I’m certainly not against a woman getting out of the house for some alone time, or spending money to go to the spa. The problem comes when we begin to prioritize ourselves above others.
Being a mom is a demanding job. Sometimes you bear the weight of other people’s selfishness when you are the one making sacrifices. You may be exhausted taking care of others when it seems like no one is taking care of you. Even if you aren’t a mom, you may relate to wearing yourself out.
We hear the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup”; and I think there’s some truth to that. But how do we fill our running-on-empty cup? As a Christian, my strength is not my own; it’s from God. I can’t pour from an empty cup, but God is the tea-kettle that is pouring into my cup constantly, providing me with what I need to pour into others.
Philippians 2 describes this type of mindset. Christians are to follow Christ’s example to view others as more important than themselves. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the ultimate picture of selflessness! Isn’t it impossible to serve like this, though? Let verse 13 encourage you: “for it is God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” In other words, we won’t have the strength or capacity on our own live out this type of humility, but God is at work in us! We don’t serve alone; God is our strength.
I don’t need to have more spa days or coffee dates to give me energy to do the job set before me (although I will appreciate those occasions as blessings and encouragements from God when they come!). We can turn away from mommy wine culture and recognize that all we need comes from God. Instead of living for self-care, try living in God’s strength to love and serve those in your life.
Lie 3: You Should Take Pride in Getting It All Done
There’s a certain level of arrogance that sometimes comes from those who make big life choices. Maybe you’re careful to buy organic groceries and prepare home-cooked meals for every meal. It could be that you organize every field trip for your homeschool co-op and others admire and rely on your efforts. Perhaps it’s simply working around the clock to have a clean house, or impress your supervisor at work. We are all susceptible to pride, and it can be very sneaky.
Podcasts and books encourage women to “love the hustle” and “get your life together”. I’m no stranger to this because I am motivated to work hard and I love seeing the fruit of my labor. It brings me happiness when I complete another weekly meal plan and see how much money I’ve saved in our budget. I get excited when I figure out a cleaning routine that works for our family (and saves me time and stress). I’m always researching planners and goal tools to accomplish more. These are all good things to do, but we shouldn’t take pride in them.
Every aspect of managing our lives is to be done through God’s grace and God’s strength. I am so thankful that God gave me a mind that enjoys planning, organizing, and improving practical skills. My family certainly benefits from that when I exercise these gifts. But when I take pride in our own efforts, something good becomes poisonous. Think about this arrogant statement: “my schedule is so organized and I do more than that other person!” If we try to “accomplish all the things”, shouldn’t we give God the glory? It’s never about us, or comparison, or self-glory. And, are we really foolish enough to think that we have it all together at any given time?
Pride and arrogance can easily creep in when we focus on ourselves, or rely on our own strength (hmm, revisit lies 1 and 2!). What if we desired to be a humble, godly woman who might not be perfect, but works hard—in God’s strength—to take care of her family and glorify God? I’m reminded of the positive example of the Proverbs 31 woman. This type of woman is a go-getter, hard worker, entrepreneur, organizer, manager, and the list goes on and on. Verse 30 describes her heart attitude: she fears the Lord. Her attitude and posture before God was reverent and worshipful. This was the key to the vibrant life that she cultivated—it was never about her!
I’m disappointed that Christian media promotes these types of messages to women. I don’t think that this is healthy or biblical. When popular media tries to sell you on self-centered, self-help messages for you and your family’s so-called betterment, compare the messages to God’s Word. The Bible is our ultimate standard; God’s grace is our ultimate strength. With the two, I think we can accomplish more and do more than we could ever imagine.