Book: Challies, Tim. Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity. Challies, 2015.

Pages: 119

Point: To be productive is not merely to complete more tasks. Productivity means that one does what is most important and does it well. “Productivity is effectively stewarding my gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God.”

Path: Challies does an excellent job of defining what productivity is, what it is not, why it is necessary, and how one can plan to be productive through the effective use of tools.

Sources: This book is not a composite of “prodicutivity gurus.” In the pages you can find hints of David Allen, Peter Drucker, and other time management specialists, but you don’t find strings of quotes.

Agreement: This is an excellent book and I found it very helpful. I went through Matt Perman’s book, “What’s Best Next” early this year and also Challies’ blog series on productivity, so my habits have not changed dramatically, but it was an excellent read. His brief but thoughtful critique of our obsession and misunderstanding of productivity was challenging to me. Everyone with a computer or smart phone would benefit from reading his chapters on tools.

Personal App: Am I just trying to get things done, or am I intentionally investing my time in meaningful pursuits in a manner of excellence?

Favorite Quote: “Productivity is not what will bring purpose to your life, but what will enable you to excel in living out your existing purpose” (10).

Stars:  5 out of 5

It would be worth another read and I would recommend it to someone who:

• feels like they are daily spinning their wheels
• wants to streamline their workflow
• struggles with disorganized living
• is way to busy to read a book
• is just starting college or a new job

Other books along this theme would be:

• DeYoung, Kevin. Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem. Crossway, 2013.
• Perman, Matthew Aaron. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Zondervan, 2014.
• Glei, Jocelyn K., and 99U. Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind. Amazon Publishing, 2013.
• Allen, David. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. New York: Penguin Books, 2001.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review

Do you ever struggle with:

• trying to earn God’s love?
• trying to become more sanctified on your own?
• wondering how the gospel connects with your every day life?

Fitzpatrick Elyse, Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life. Crossway, 2010. 

Point: Fitzpatrick says this: “What I’ll be asking you to consider throughout this book may be summarized in one simple question: In your pursuit of godliness, have you left Jesus behind?” (Page 19)

Read the full review on Amazon by clicking on the book title. Let us know if it is helpful.

Book: Metaxas, Eric. Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. 1st ed. HarperOne, 2007. 

Pages: 304

Point: God can do incredible things through seemingly small men.

Path: The author takes the reader through the success and failures of William Wilberforce, primarily his stand against slavery. In biographical fashion, Metaxas demonstrates that great feats are accomplished by men who know the truth, love the truth, and fight for the truth day after day.

Sources: Using his own ability to tell a story and weaving together various other primary and secondary sources, Metaxas creates an interesting and compelling picture of this incredible man.

Agreement: I was often moved emotionally as I heard of the wickedness of man and the grace of God seen through the eyes of Wilberforce. Multiple times I thanked God for enabling men such as he to continue to fight the evils of humanity in the face of such adversity. Nearly as often, I found myself praying for courage and tenacity as he had.

Format: I alternated between reading on the kindle and listening to the audible version. I would recommend both.

Personal App: As I see more and more the evils of society around me, am I willing to stand for truth by the grace of God?

Favorite Quote: “William Wilberforce’s conversion to Christianity in 1785— what he called his “Great Change”— was without question for him the central and most important event of his life. Indeed, as far as Wilberforce was concerned, faith in Jesus Christ was the central and most important thing in life itself, so it can hardly surprise us that sharing this faith with others was central and important to Wilberforce too. And so, everywhere he went, and with everyone he met, he tried, as best he could, to bring the conversation around to the question of eternity. Wilberforce would prepare lists of his friends’ names and next to the entries make notes on how he might best encourage them in their faith, if they had faith, and toward a faith if they still had none. He would list subjects he could bring up with each friend that might launch them into a conversation about spiritual issues. He even called these subjects and questions “launchers” and was always looking for opportunities to introduce them.”

Stars: 5 out of 5

A top shelf book – it would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

If this review was helpful, let me know here.