Maximum Productivity: Perspective
Life, Personal November 7th, 2008
This article is part of a series called, “Maximum Productivity ” in which I’ll explore the topic of perspective.
See the rest of the series here:
Intro: Maximum Productivity: Series Introduction
Part 1: Maximum Productivity: Perspective
Part 2: Maximum Productivity: Attitude
Part 3: Maximum Productivity: Focus
Part 4: Maximum Productivity: Persistence
Part 5: Maximum Productivity: Adventure
Part 6: Maximum Productivity: Connections
I guess the first point to understand is what is productivity? While productivity as a definition is simply producing readily and abundantly, that itself leaves a huge gap for what you are producing. And that is where I will start things off in this series by looking at life, tasks, work and everything people do and wish to do from a perspective that matters or has some purpose! Being productive is useless if it’s not on the things that matter to you. So perspective is first.
Perspective
Perspective is really about looking at where productivity can be applied in your life. It’s about taking a step back to analyze your situations and environment to see what it is you want to be productive at. This allows you to put more efforts and productive work towards the things that are in some way meaningful to you. To gain that perspective there are a number of things you can do to change your normal perspective and realize what does matter.
Explore your passions
- Discuss and even debate with others
- Read books that question or expand your views
- Ask others for their opinions and stay open minded
- Write your will or obituary for yourself
- Explore and understand the legacy you want to leave
- Imagine yourself in other people’s situations and challenges
- Look at how your creativity can change your perception
- Study and learn new things to gain new understanding
- Ignore your gut or instinctive response
All of these things can help you to step back from what is normal in your life and analyze new situations from a distance. It’s critical to CHANGE and EXPAND your views on every subject without limiting yourself to your old beliefs. It’s often those new areas that will truly let you see not only what you can do to be productive but also why that is important!
Identity
The way you see things is a big part of one’s identity so expanding that and exploring it deeply is done to really take a deep look at oneself.
- Do you know what drives and motivates you to do the things you do?
- Could you explain all of your actions to others and would you be happy to hear that explanation?
- Is the time you spend on things productive to you?
- Are you OK with that whether it is or isn’t?
- How much time do you spend productively?
- Can you change that and do you want to?
The things you consider to be productive should be the things you enjoy doing and want to do. That is part of what drives you to do it and so of course this drive has to come from within to have any lasting impact. That is why I encourage you to reflect on those questions above, answer them truthfully and look at what reveals itself. It’s impossible to just become productive overnight and it is a slow process to change since it’s your identity, not just your productive actions, that must also change to shift to seeing that new perspective that is required in everything. That perspective change will enable you to learn easier from new experiences and adapt quicker to changes. This will make controlling your productivity much easier. Expanding and seeing with more perspective is also helpful to look for improvements, optimizations and ways to be more productive. Instead of just thinking the current way is the only or best way to do something, you can accept suggestions, changes and help to increase your productivity.
Who Do You Do It For?
This concept of perspective applies not only in looking at productivity directly and seeing areas to improve that but also in why you do it. What makes you want to those things and motivate you to improve. To what end? Do you have something to achieve in working at those areas? Some people do it for approval, to be liked, to make themselves happy, to meet others. Some do it for status, material things, health or longevity. I personally look at productivity more from an angle of service to others. I want to do things that are productive not only for me, but for others, for strangers, for family, for new friends, old friends, and for God. Those are things that I highly value they motivate me to drive forward in creating more time, more productivity and more results in the areas that are service oriented.
So who do YOU do things for? Can you say that you are working with a purpose, a mission and set of values? I hope if you don’t that you stop to take a look at why you do things, what will leave you happy if you only had short time to live and that you are able to be productive with the things you want out of life. That, my friends, is what perspective is for and I hope I’ve been able to shed a little bit of new light on this first article in a series for maximizing your productivity.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23
Prev: Maximum Productivity: Series Introduction
Next: Maximum Productivity: Attitude
November 7th, 2008 at 6:43 AM
Excellent article Mike! What is our perspective? That’s a question I haven’t really thought about much when it comes to productivity. Sure, I think I’ve applied it, but only indirectly. My takeaway here is that I should take a more proactive look at my own perspective – and use this to guide me to what “productive” means to me in my life. Maybe I’m being productive but not going in the direction I desire – and that’s really being unproductive, and just getting there faster.
I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series. Awesome stuff here!
November 7th, 2008 at 7:06 AM
Lance, yes you nailed it man! That is exactly what I’m getting at when it comes to perspective. I think a lot of people can be productive at things, but those things just don’t always have any impact in their lives so really how productive is that!
Your point about knowing your direction is so true. I wrote a little more about that in the upcoming section persistence in this series as well. They certainly all tie together for really maximizing your productivity.
Thanks for the comment and your help promoting the page on stumble upon, I really appreciate it!
November 7th, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Great article. Loved all your points. Productivity applied at wrong place would be totally useless. Reminds me of Stephen Covey’s wrong map example – it doesn’t matter how much better you get if you are heading the wrong way.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:02 AM
Great subject matter, It’s hard for people to comprehend the real concept of productivity and Perspective, when it come to ones self and in this article you simplified it for everyone to understand and grasp the important of it and its significance when trying to run your life or business.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Very insightful post! Really liked the points you made. I couldn’t honestly say I work with a purpose, a mission in many areas of my life – so much to improve upon. I’m taking a look at myself and how I can improve on my own productivity.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Exactly! A great article! I have been on a similar path for several years now. I am still a beginner with a lot to learn, but every little thing I try to become more efficient about is to serve the purpose of freeing time to spend with the family. Or to free time to replenish myself mentally, physically, and spiritually so that I am more able to be there for them. Thank you for sending this to me!
November 7th, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Great article Mike. Those are some great things to think about. I like your quesitons for evaluation.
I love that verse at the end.
I’m doing what I’m doing for the world, God and myself. It drives me, but I still struggle with productivity, so I look forward to the rest of the series and to thinking more about these questions you’ve posed.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Thanks everyone for the great responses. I’m happy to have sparked a nerve with this look at perspective for some of you!
November 8th, 2008 at 1:52 AM
You present a really cool way to start looking at productivity. I like coming in at the fundamental level. Nice work. I’ll be back soon to check up on the latest in this series.
All the best,
Stephen
November 8th, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Thanks Stephen, I only hope I can make the rest of the series as interesting. I appreciate the comments as always and would love to hear more from you about what you like in the series and any other discussion…
November 9th, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Mike,
I found you contact me on digg and I’m grateful. This is the very first time I read your blog and I really like it! I am going to be your long-term fan here and I’m looking forward to reading the entire series.
My blog is http://www.tedded.net and my latest post refers directly to you;
http://www.tedded.net/2008/11/09/where-does-your-perspective-come-from/
I hope you don’t find it offensive because I add something and raise some questions.
Hang on, I’ve just seen your comment in my blog, I’ll read it.
Thank you!
(this is real time here!)
November 9th, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Thanks Viriya, I certainly don’t take any offense. That would be quite a contradiction to an article on widening your perspective heh!?
I really appreciate your comments and love getting more discussion from readers. I wish more bloggers would challenge others instead of simply putting “great”, “love your stuff”, or “I like it” as comments. There is value in discussion you don’t get with those types of comments.
So ya, I appreciate your stuff and think you’ve started a great looking blog. I love your book reviews how you break them down into separate ratings. Great idea!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:02 AM
Hi Mike, my last post happens to be writing about a very similar topic.
Perspective of who are we doing it for.
One particular insights I learn is about holiness, where we’re not doing it for our own victory, but it’s more to please God. And it’s similar to a lot of our personal development efforts.
Here is the complete article:
Running with Team Hoyt
November 18th, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Mike,
This article serves as a wonderful reminder that we need to explore ourselves and figure out who we are before we can make the most of our potential and focus on the things that are important to us. Without perspective, we’ll just be swinging in the dark.
Glad to see that you’re helping people find clarity on this topic! Great article.
November 24th, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Thank you for submitting this excellent article to the Living by Design Blog Carnival. I received 136 submissions from which I picked my 7 favourite posts – this article was one of them. I appreciate your contribution.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Wow Ananga, that is a TON of articles to read and filter through. Thanks for including this one and I want to encourage all my visitors to visit that carnival, there are some other great articles there.