How to be more productive: The Three-minute productivity rule for Christian women

 

I promise I am not obsessed with productivity unless you call having a YouTube playlist of productivity videos obsessive.

But I believe being able to manage our time and resources is such a key part of our Christian lives.

And so, I am continually open to trying out new things and learning new ways to do the things I do, better.

How about you?

What’s your take on productive habits?

Do you also find that you are excited to read about a new productivity habit or pick up a new productivity skill?

Okay, let’s look at a few questions that often come up with productivity.

 

What is productivity?

In the years since I started writing about productivity for women, I just realized that I have never actually defined this term. Lol

I like to define productivity as our ability to undertake tasks and activities that can help us use our resources better.

On the reverse, it could also be seen as the potential to limit the tasks and activities we do to make time or focus more on the things that matter.

Whichever definition you choose, the key principle is to increase your output to enable you to achieve your goals or plans.

Should a Christian be focused on Productivity?

I will be the first to tell you that there are not a lot of Christian resources out there about productivity.

At least, I haven’t found many.

Most of the resources I have consumed in the last few years were for a more general audience. I don’t know if there is a particular reason for this, but I believe it is one thing we need to consider.

I think one question that may plague Christians around productivity is knowing what is acceptable and what may be ‘too far?’

And I think this is a great question.

After all, we have been called to ‘be in the world and not of the world’. And depending on your interpretation of this phrase, you may find that we Christians cannot just follow along with what everyone else is doing.

We must ensure that what we do is a reflection of who we are in Christ.

As I mentioned earlier, a major part of Christian living is stewardship – how we manage the resources God has blessed us with.

Here’s what Apostle Paul says:

“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians 5:15-17

 

[mailerlite_form form_id=1]

 

How can a Christian woman become more productive?

Aha! Now, this is one question I am excited to answer.

There are many ways we Christian girls can increase our productivity at work, and in the home. I have written quite a few posts sharing productivity tips for us, one of the very first was on the five must-have tips for Christian women, and even ways to maximize our time as single Christian women.

In addition to this, I have also noted that a universal excuse most of us give is one of not having enough time. The 24 hours we usually have never seem to be enough.

For instance, we may find that reading about the Proverbs 31 woman feels like an indictment. We may see it as an impossible standard and as a reminder of the many ways we are falling short.

But then again, reading it that way may be missing the point of such a powerful scripture. The point of what we can do when we work in God’s grace and wisdom.

Today, I would like to share a simple tip to get more done, aka the three-minute rule.

In the past, I had heard of the 2-minute rule popularised by Graham Stephan and the Five-minute rule.

These two rules are great, but I came to the three-minute rule by accident.

I had found that there were certain tasks I often avoided, actually I ‘actively’ avoided these tasks by justifying that they would require more time than I had, but this was often an excuse that only piled up the work later.

When I started doing these tasks, I found that I usually completed them within three minutes or less.

The quick examples were responding to emails and messages, returning calls and saying no to requests or activities I wouldn’t be able to take on, and even making my favorite ginger tea (you need to peel, cut up and boil the ginger in hot water).

Soon enough, I started applying this idea to other areas too such as clearing out my desk at the end of the day, filling out my planner for the new week, and even saying a quick prayer whenever I remember.

Taking time to do simple and quick tasks during those small pockets of time help create a seamless day.

Perhaps, for you, it’s picking out your outfit for the next few days, putting items pack in their place, washing plates rather than waiting for things to pile up, could be some of the things you can start with.

Whatever it may be, you could do more by doing them now rather than procrastinating.

 

Why you should try the three-minute productivity rule

The idea behind the three-minute productivity rule is not about starting yet another fad in this space. I certainly wouldn’t want that for you.

It is about doing those things that take little time but can have such a positive upside.

The rule can be viewed as one of the antidotes to procrastination.

It’s about tackling the small things that we often forget or avoid and finding time in our busy days to work on these things.

I don’t know about you, but I have learned that doing these little things can reduce my stress levels and worry.

 

Closing thoughts

I believe that the dream many of us have is to make the most of our lives.

If you asked older people, one thing you may often hear is a wish that ‘they had done more of the things that mattered’.

I certainly want to live a life of meaning. A life where I can be focused on the things that align with the values, beliefs, and vision God has for my life.

I pray that our Heavenly Father will give us his grace and wisdom as we seek to do better with our time.

 

Do you have other productive tips that you use? Please share with us.