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Don’t Be Productive – Be Progressive

The word “progressive” is generally associated with some sort of ideology. People are “religiously progressive” if they think there is more leniency allowed in worship than what is dictated by the Bible.

People are politically progressive when they think more liberal policies would lead to favorable outcomes, though those outcomes are rarely specified. We are not talking about being politically or religiously progressive.

We are talking about being personally progressive.

What we mean is that you should be obsessed with making progress in your life, not with mere producing. Especially when what the average person is producing is mediocrity on a mass scale.

You have to question what you are producing. What are you building that brings value to the community around you? When you are being productive, it literally means you are producing something. Well, is what you are producing valuable? Are you making progress towards a goal with what you are producing? If not, you are likely wasting your time.

Not everything that is produced has value. Many people work four years in university to produce a degree, but that does not mean the degree has value. The same applies to the professors at these universities. They produce hundreds of graduates year after year. But what are those graduates [the products] worth? Are the professors producing graduates of value? I would argue that the average professor is not producing valuable graduates. They are producing entitled children with minimal skill and limited knowledge of how a functional society operates.

You need to make sure you are actually progressing toward a goal.

Learn to measure yourself. Track what you are producing as well as your progress toward your goals. If you are making progress, good, keep going. If not, make some course corrections and start being progressive. Tracking progress is one of the key factors in being progressive. If you know where you are and where you are going, you can track and measure progress over time. So be sure you have your goal in mind. Then set out to achieve it through progressive productivity.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Many people become discouraged when they hit obstacles. But they would be much better off if they could learn to savor and celebrate those obstacles in their lives. Appreciate them for what they are – chances to build internal strength.

Those who learn to savor and celebrate obstacles are better equipped to achieve lasting success. They do not shy away from difficulties but confront them head-on with aggression, knowing that each obstacle conquered is a testament to their power.

Everyone knows how to think lofty thoughts and make big goals. But so often we hit one or two delays in our course of action then give up and quit. Instead, we should see these obstacles as gifts, celebrate, and push through them just slightly.

We celebrate because we know that when others hit these same obstacles, they quit. But when we hit those same obstacles, we press just a few steps farther.

In the relentless pursuit of our goals and dreams, obstacles often stand as formidable barriers along our path. It’s a shared human experience to encounter discomfort and adversity during this journey, and too often, people let these challenges deter them from continuing their pursuit. However, a better perspective is one that suggests using these obstacles as metrics of progress and strength.

When we encounter discomfort or adversity in any endeavor, it is a pivotal moment to get excited. Why? Because this is precisely the point where most individuals decide to quit.

They see the discomfort as a sign to turn back, abandon their goals, and settle for mediocrity. However, this is where the true opportunity lies. By shifting our mindset and viewing discomfort as an indicator of our progress, we can harness its power to propel us forward.

Every obstacle, and every moment of discomfort, is a milestone in our process of personal development. It’s a marker that signifies our growth and resilience. When we feel that resistance, it’s a signal that we are on the verge of breaking through to a higher level of achievement. By pushing ourselves just one percent beyond this point, we not only demonstrate our strength but also position ourselves significantly farther ahead than the majority of people who choose to quit.

With this perspective, obstacles cease to be hindrances; they become our allies and guides. They are the markers of our commitment, determination, and fortitude. They serve as proof that we are on the right path and that we are advancing toward our goals while most others falter. Instead of fearing discomfort, we should embrace it as a sign that we are on the cusp of something extraordinary.

By definition, you only have to be better than 50% of people in order to be better than most people in any given pursuit.

If 50% is the point of “being average” anything beyond that point is “above average”, just as anything below it is “below average”.

Now do not allow this to go to your head. You are not more valuable than others, you are simply farther ahead. And you have gotten farther than others have simply by not quitting as early as they do.

All the rewards and accomplishments that men receive lay beyond the point where the majority of the population gives up.

You need to fix in your mind a higher goal, however. You likely need to be farther than 75% of people in order to begin to reap the highly valuable rewards in life.

What are things that 75% of people are not willing to do?
What is the point where 75% of people have given up?

You may not be able to identify this point, but just try to assess it and get in the ballpark. If you can be one of the best 25 men in a group of 100, you are a man of value.

Use any obstacles you encounter as valuable resistance for growth – it is the mental exercise that will allow you to conquer future difficulties with ease, paradoxically.

Each obstacle you encounter is a chance to grow strong. It is a “life set”. You have sets of exercises that you complete in the gym against resistance to grow physically stronger. What you are facing during difficulty is a “life set”, during which you struggle against resistance in order to grow stronger. Greater power can be found in viewing these obstacles simply as resistance to overcome with the appropriate amount of effort.

And remember that you only need to give slightly more resistance to the obstacle than it gives you. Just like in the gym: in order to lift 100 pounds, you need to generate 101 pounds of force. If 100 pounds is pressing against you, you need to press up with 101 pounds in order to move the resistance in the opposite direction. While you are generating more force, there is no movement of the weight from 0-100 pounds of force. It is only once you exceed the force of the weight pressing down on you that it starts to move.

If you can change your life perspective and view obstacles the same way you view lifting weights, you will be infinitely more powerful. Because we look at resistance in the gym as the pathway to growth. Why not do the same with each and every obstacle we face? That is the method by which you make every obstacle a celebration.

How to Be Productive After a Workday

The fundamental key to being productive after a workday is to only attempt the smallest workload. This does not mean that you will only complete a small amount of work, it does mean that you do not have to do much work to get started. Make your goal to do the smallest amount of work possible.

I’ll write one sentence for my book.
I’ll practice one guitar scale.
I will only do one exercise in a workout.

Focus on the smallest possible task. Being scared of getting started is what keeps most people from acting. The task looks too great, so they never bother with any of it.

We become discouraged when we see the whole task. To short-circuit that, ignore the whole task. Give yourself permission to stop midway. Better to start and then stop then never start at all.

The whole task is intimidating. It is difficult to be productive after a workday.

“I have to read a WHOLE chapter of this book?”
“Do I have to complete a FULL workout?”
“I have to edit a COMPLETE video?”
“Do I have to wash ALL the dishes?”

It does not matter what task it is, we are demoralized when we think the task before us is massive. When we believe that we have to finish the entire task, which would be a great deal of work, we never bother getting started in the first place.

But the reality is that we only have to get started. We have to give ourselves permission to complete just a small amount of work. This eliminates the barrier that prevents us from simply getting started. Procrastinators lose because they think in extremes. The pain of starting now is too high and the pleasure of putting it off is too great.

The smaller the task seems, the easier it will be to get started. The easier it is to start, the easier it is to maintain that momentum. If you can reduce the barrier to entry of action to the point that it is extraordinarily easy, then you will make it more likely that you actually complete the action.

Identify whatever it is that you want to start, whether spiritual or secular. Take reading the Bible, for example. Most people might tell you that you should try one of those “Read your Bible in a Year program. I do not think you should bother with this. Most people do not have the discipline to read daily the amount of Bible it would take to complete it in a year [it usually comes out to about 3-4 chapters daily]. For most people who are in the habit of reading precisely zero chapters of the Bible per day, this will be too much. It’s like never running a day in your life, then deciding you will rain for a marathon and deciding to start training by running six miles per day. That is not a recipe for consistent action.

Center on the present. Put your mind in the moment and it will allow you to lean into the effort of starting small. It is embarrassing how difficult it is to start even when the task is small. But knowing that, how could we ever think we would be capable of larger habits right off the bat? Some people may be, but if you have consistently failed to develop the habits you want, then do not think about those people. Just focus on the smallest amount of work you can do, and try to do it.

That is the key to being productive after a workday.

After you have been working all day, the last thing you want to do is focus on goals and more work. Most people want to relax, unwind and distract themselves. But if you tackle just a tiny amount of work, you can make a small amount of progress that will ater compound.

The goal of course is to get to the point where you are completing large and seemingly difficult habits. But this cannot start unless a person first begins in small ways.

Overcome the inertia of starting – select the smallest task that will move you forward. Slow progress beats no progress.

Select simpler activities and goals – build strength with what is simple so you can complete what is difficult.

In rehabilitation hospitals, some patients are so weak that they cannot even sit on the edge of the bed without desaturation, spiking heartrate, dropping blood pressure, feeling faint, and needing to lay back down. For these people, just sitting on the edge of the bed is a workout. Many people are in the same position with their personal development. It would be challenging just to sit at the edge of the metaphorical bed. So start there, build strength, and then slowly build up to a greater workload. That is how you are productive after a workday.

Christians in Government

As Christians, we believe that God is sovereign over all things, including the governments of the world. In Romans 13, Paul writes that earthly rulers are appointed by God and are to be obeyed, except when their commands conflict with God’s commands. This means that government, at all levels, is an institution ordained by God and should be respected and engaged with as such.

That does not mean the governmental institution is beyond criticism. Just like we can critique marriages that do not follow the pattern God set [one man + one woman for life], we can also criticize the government when it does not follow the commandments of God.

Christians are called to be salt and light in the world. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:13-16 that we are to be a blessing to the world and to let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify God.

This includes being involved in the political process and using our voices to demand righteousness. We have to do this because the standard for justice and righteousness comes from God and the Bible. Without the knowledge of that standard, how will the government, ordained by God, Approved by God, be able to act in accordance with the will and justice of God?

No one else is going to push Christian values besides Christians. Therefore, Christians have the just responsibility to involve themselves in politics and push those values.

One of the reasons that the government exists is to protect citizens, punish wrongdoing, and reward good behavior. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to do good. By participating in the political process and fighting to shape the policies and laws that govern our communities, we can help ensure that our government can fulfill its God-ordained role of promoting the values of God and righteousness.

That is truly the main point, working to change government and policies so that the result is God-approved law.

It is also not moral to just do nothing, to ignore the political arena and hope everything works out for the best. We are required to be active in making a positive impact in the world. This includes being engaged in the political process and working to bring about positive change in our communities and beyond.

Even though God always works things for the good [Rom 8:28] and has all things under His control, that does not excuse us from taking action.

God having everything under control has never excused His people from taking action.

God was in control when Israel crossed the Jordan into the promised land, but you don’t see the children of Israel saying “Well, God is in control so we don’t have to do anything. We can just chill and He will take care of us”. No, they had to obey the word of the Lord even though He had all things under control. And this included taking action and going to war, against the pagan inhabitants of Canaan.

1. Promote biblical values and principles through your voting.

Many of the issues that come before governments at all levels have moral and ethical implications. Morals and ethics can only be understood from a religious perspective as God is the source of the moral compass within us all. By getting active in the political process, Christians can advocate for policies that embody biblical principles, such as the sanctity of life, the importance of family, and the value of hard work and personal responsibility which each coincide with the avoidance of socialistic policy.

2. Defend your religious freedom with your vote

As Christians, we have the right to freely practice our faith and share it with others. That is not the case across the world and will not permanently be the case if Christians continue to choose to bury their heads in the sand instead of vote. Being involved in the political process guarantees that we can work to protect this freedom and ensure that it is not infringed upon by government policies or legislation.

3. Someone must hold politicians accountable

And they must be held accountable according to a higher moral standard that comes down from the mind of God in His scriptures. Christians can use their voices and their votes to hold politicians accountable for their actions and to ensure that they are working in the best interests of their constituents.

Christians are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Being involved in the political process is one way to be salt and light in the world.
Therefore, Christians should be involved in politics, government, and elections.

The government exists to protect citizens, punish wrongdoing, and reward good behavior (Romans 13).
Christians are called to love their neighbors as themselves and to do good to all people (Galatians 6:10).
Therefore, Christians should be involved in politics, government, and elections to help shape policies and laws that promote righteousness, promote the punishment of wrongdoing, and provide protection for citizens.

Furthermore, it is not moral to do nothing and hope everything works out for the best. Therefore, Christians should be involved in politics, government, and elections to actively work toward bringing about change in the world.

Nehemiah 2:1-2 ~ Manage Your Presentation

You have to manage your presentation. The way you present yourself to others is key to your success.

The only way to maintain a degree of control over the impression you deliver and the power you have is through your visual presentation. Your body language, your expressions, your verbal articulations. All other power maneuvers come down through this outlet. Presentation is the delivery mechanism by which you make your move in this world.

This is a lesson you learn from the scripture as well. Nehemiah was a cupbearer for the king of the time. This is a highly trusted position, as one of Nehemiah’s roles would be to screen the king’s drink for poison.

When working in the presence of the king, he always managed his presentation. You cannot have a bad day in front of the king. You cannot be negative in front of the king. Your very life may depend on the king’s emotional equilibrium, which will be affected by the way you present yourself.

It was not until Nehemiah was aware of the condition of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 2:1-2 that he was unable to maintain a positive appearance in the presence of the king. In fact, look at what the scripture says.

“And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.””
Nehemiah 2:1-2

Look at what is recorded for us to learn.

Nehemiah had never once been sad in the presence of the king. If you want an example of self-control this is it. Or if you want an example of managing your presentation in public appearance, this is also it.

Where do we go wrong when we interact with others? It’s when others can tell just by looking at us that we aren’t ourselves. It’s when we give away that we’re having a bad day by our facial expressions. I’m not saying that we can’t have bad days, stress, or difficulty. I’m saying we don’t let it show. If people can tell something is wrong with you just by looking at you, they are in a perfect position to manipulate you. The emotional man is the manipulated man.

It is the role of a man to suppress that type of behavior. I know it’s no longer popular to say that men should do traditionally masculine things like manage their emotions, but as you well know as a reader of Spartan Christianity, I don’t really care what people find popular. A man has to manage his emotional state and, if he is having a bad day, return it to its original state of equilibrium as quickly as he can.

The man is the Bedrock of the family unit. If he’s unstable, the entire family unit’s unstable.

So even though he doesn’t have to be an emotionless robot [though I think he should manage his emotions as well] he does have the incredible responsibility of never letting the people he is leading [his family] know that he’s having a bad day. Men don’t get to have bad days. The crushing burdens of performance will beat a man down if he starts to show his bad days.

Let’s learn our lesson from Nehemiah: manage your presence in front of other people, and other leadership. If you’re working, never let your boss or customers know you’re having a bad day. You don’t get to have a bad day. Additionally, no one cares if you do have a bad day as a man. And in fact, if you act like you’re not having a bad day, it won’t take too long before you forget that you weren’t having a bad day, and that will be back to a neutral day, maybe even a good one.

But it doesn’t matter how it turns out. All that matters is how you act. Actions are everything. Emotions and intentions are nothing. Motivations or nothing. Don’t obsess yourself with how you’re feeling, obsess yourself with how you’re acting.

Manage your presence in front of the king. Don’t let anyone know that you’re having a Down day.

You are an actor on stage. And your mask is one of masculine self-control. The goal is to eventually replace that mask with truly integrated masculine self-control that has no choice but to leak out of you. But until that moment comes, act like a man. Even if you don’t feel like one, act like one. And by acting like one you’ll eventually feel like one.

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