Life’s Like a Conveyor-Belt of Chocolates: 5 Reasons to Read What’s Best Next by Matt Perman
(A Guest Post by David Doran, Jr.)
Every mother, pastor, roofer, and sanitation engineer in the Western world has felt the wrath of life’s relentless assault of tasks-to-be-done. You’re probably calling them tasks-to-survive by now. Western culture is drunk on going faster and faster and doing more and more. It’s no surprise, then, to see the huge market of books, conferences, and media teaching workaholics to drink responsibly from the fire hose.
Many of these works are helpful in managing the flow—or tidal wave!—of life. I, much like author Matt Perman, had not made use of systems or strategies or lists in getting through college. When ministry and seminary hit the gas peddle, however, I had to adjust and fast. Still, after writing lists and next actions, etc., etc., I found myself stuck in the iconic “I Love Lucy” scene at the chocolate factory. Ethel and Lucy begin their post at the conveyor belt managing just fine; however, before long, the onslaught of chocolates simply becomes unstoppable. (You really need to take 2 minutes and watch for yourself. Don’t worry; this quick dose of joy will help your productivity. Perman agrees, see, e.g., p. 248, where Perman argues that Facebook can increase your productivity.)
Many productivity resources become a designated driver for the workaholic. And What’s Best Next (WBN) answers the call for those feeling like Lucy & Ethel. Perman (former Director of Strategy at Desiring God) presents a savvy biblical approach to getting things done. WBN prepares readers to (1) launch right by making God supreme and by viewing productivity through a Gospel lens (Parts 1 & 2); (2) navigate right by following the steps summarized in the acronym D.A.R.E.: Define, Architect, Reduce and Execute (Parts 3–6); and, finally, (3) land right by living for the Great Commission and uplifting the downtrodden (Part 7).
I could say so much more about the usefulness of his book. However, here I’ll simply list 5 reasons why you should read WBN next.
- WBN prioritizes eternity. The only way to be truly productive in a lasting way is to do what God thinks is productive.
- WBN inspires. If students truly take a teacher’s passion more than anything else, WBN readers will come away with at least Perman’s heartbeat for God-exalting living through ambitious, creative service.
- WBN enhances the Greats. Perman isn’t starting from scratch. In fact, I found WBN’s ability to borrow, adapt and enhance the brilliance of others incredibly helpful. Perman draws Edwards, Wilberforce, Covey, Drucker, and Allen in together in a Gospel-shaped symphony for your benefit.
- WBN anticipates the struggle. Perman anticipates the challenges of becoming more productive. He provides helpful advice and pathways for better scheduling, delegation, time management, and more.
- WBN frees you from the rat race. Perman consistently reiterates that our goal is to please, not appease, God. The only way to be truly productive is to realize we don’t actually have to be productive. The good news of someone else doing all the work for you is rarely heard in the halls of “do-more-faster-bigger-and-better-to-be-accepted.” WBN flies in the face of earning status and preaches a radical “more, faster, bigger, and better” flowing out from our accepted status. IOW, this is, to say it again, Gospel-driven productivity at its finest!
Dave,
Thanks for the post. You said, “The good news of someone else doing all the work for you is rarely heard in the halls of “do-more-faster-bigger-and-better-to-be-accepted.” WBN flies in the face of earning status and preaches a radical “more, faster, bigger, and better” flowing out from our accepted status. IOW, this is, to say it again, Gospel-driven productivity at its finest!”
Would Perman say then that there is no observable difference between the two (in terms of productivity)? That is to say, is the only difference motivation, whereas both motivation tracts are equally busy/productive?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Josh
Josh, good to hear from you buddy!
I don’t think Perman believes the difference is only motivation. Perman sees the main goal as people not tasks or profit, “the chief guiding principle of effectiveness is to put the other person first in all that you do, including your work” (p. 102) This is a motivation distinction that creates an action distinction in how we pursue productivity.
Perman consistently emphasizes the others focused fruit of gospel-driven productivity. He marks love and its fruit, generosity, as the power behind true productivity. This is where motivation translates in to distinct actions. People motivated by a different source, the Gospel into loving service of others, will actually pursue different goals, care about different aspects of their work, etc.
A simple example would be in Perman’s description of delegation. He emphasizes developing people over using them. I understand other business thinkers might say this as well, but the preeminence of others in Perman’s productivity is unique in both theory and practice, i’d say. I was also helped by his words on writing good emails because you care about others.
I also don’t know that Perman would allow separation between the productive practices and the fruit of productivity. What I mean is this–Perman sites a book by Timoth Feriss “The 4-Hour Workweek”as a good example of productivity at times but a bad example of true productivity (loving service). Feriss wants us to do things better and faster so we can lay in a hammock while Perman wants us to do things better and faster so we can productively attack problems like abortion or poverty etc.
thanks for the question, hope this helped.
Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
David,
I agree as well. Your response was very helpful and spot on. You have nailed what I am trying to get at in the book. Well done!
Matt
The “What’s Best Next by Matt Perman” is very good. I just finished reading , is recommended.