Goal Setting
As I was running errands today, I was having a discussion with my son and the following came to me.
If your goal is to be productive, then pretty much everyone is a success.
After returning home, I decided to blog about this concept. I looked up the definition of productive on the internet. I decided to use the definition on dictionary.com or at least part of it. Please note the usage example in 3.
productive
adjective
- having the power of producing; generative; creative: a productive effort.
- producing readily or abundantly; fertile: a productive vineyard.
- causing; bringing about (usually followed by of): conditions productive of crime and sin.
Interesting isn’t it? This clearly validates my suspicions or rather the revelation that came to me. One can produce good or bad fruit. Everyone is fertile, but what are you producing?
The antonym to productive is sterile. I rather doubt that anyone is completely sterile. The definition of sterile from dictionary.com is:
adjective
- free from living germs or microorganisms; aseptic: sterile surgical instruments.
- incapable of producing offspring; not producing offspring.
- barren; not producing vegetation: sterile soil.
- noting a plant in which reproductive structures fail to develop. bearing no stamens or pistils.
- not productive of results, ideas, etc.; fruitless.
I believe #5 is the definition that best conveys the concept I am discussing in this blog. I find it hard to believe that anyone is completely void of ideas or fruitless. I believe that we all produce offspring; maybe not human children, however, we reap what we sow.
Proverbs 22:8a (MSG)
Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, . . .
Hosea 10:12 (MSG)
Sow righteousness, reap love.
Galatians 6:7 (NASB)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Understanding these terms, I can then make a better goal than, “My goal is to be productive today.” Think instead about what you want to produce. If you want to produce life, then a worthy goal would be, “My goal is to produce life in what I do and say today.” Then as you progress through your day, hold everything up to that objective and ask yourself questions like:
- Is what I am about to say going to produce life or not?
- Is the activity I am about to engage in going to produce life or not?
Be honest when examining your words and actions. If you believe you are producing life, then ask yourself who are you producing life for? If you are producing life for yourself only, then I believe you may be producing the wrong kind of fruit.
Galatians 6:8 (NASB)
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
What do you think about this concept? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Blessings,
Miri Gyrfalcon