My Top 5 Secrets to Productivity

I tried a little gardening when I was first married (no money!).  I usually ended up with a huge pile of weeds and some tiny, even microscopic “fruit.”

My neighbor staked his tomatoes with “PVC” pipe and carefully poured water down the pipe to the deep roots of his plants.  He weeded every day.  He fertilized, protected with insecticide (not so good now!) and organized his rows so that each plant had space to grow.

Is it any wonder that his tomatoes looked the size of oranges when mine looked like marbles?

Try these five simple observations on productivity:

1.   Plant well.

WHERE you plant is critical.  If there is not enough space in between plants or trees, they compete for resources and stay small. 

Be sure each plant has “space.”  Space is a clear, distinct job description and responsibility.  They each form a unique goal that contributes to the “product.”  Without “space,” people feel smothered and expect those around them to carry what they should be carrying!

2.   Fertilize frequently.

Plants need extra “boosts” (like vitamins or minerals) to maximize their potential.  In the same way, your team (or family) needs large doses of motivation and encouragement.

They should have at least a weekly “shot” of motivation and refocus.  These sessions should focus directly on the weakest areas and most difficult struggles to accomplish their goal.  Giving them a “shot” of motivation and training in their “roots” will make EVERYONE more productive.

3.  Water daily.

Like my neighbor, personal attention in watering was critical.  People are not simply a “system,” they are a living, growing organism.  Studies have shown that plants who are spoken to in a positive way grow healthier than those who are cursed every day!

Don’t let your plants get “dry.”  They thirst for affirmation, coaching, and encouragement.  Personalize it so that it goes down into their “roots.”  Assign someone to develop not only their productivity but keep them from getting dry, disappointed, and discouraged.

“People are not simply a “system,” they are a living, growing organism.”

4.  Prune positively.

The “suckers” that grow between the stalk and the branches are silent destroyers.  They look nice, put out flowers, and even little tomatoes.  The problem?  They suck all the life from the branch so the tomatoes at the end of the branch stay very small.

Remove those suckers!  Carefully “operate on” (coach) a team member who has allowed distractions to creep in.  They are pursuing something that will never make them productive. Focus them on where their resources need to focus.  Their fruit will grow HUGE! 

5.  Protect constantly.

Warding off beasts of prey could be the most important concept.  Your beautiful fruit can be stolen at the last moment!

I found that protecting my high school students was the most serious moment of parenting.  Don’t sleep on the job.  Notice every wrong, deceptive attitude trying to creep into their heart.  Be proactive, facing those who are trying to confuse a member of your team or family. 

These 5 principles apply to children as well as tomatoes!

Make your family, your business, or your ministry staff the most beautiful “GARDEN” this side of Eden…to the glory of the One who commanded us to “Be fruitful, and multiply!”