I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t want to have a meaningful, productive day. Maybe I’m just not around lazy people, but I think we all want to be effective in what we do.

It’s actually Biblical. Before sin entered the world, God gave the man work to do. God put Adam in the middle of the Garden and told him “to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). God meant for man’s work to be fulfilling and productive. Adam had the responsibility of taking care of God’s creation.

Even at that early point, God had productive work for His people to do.

How can we make our days productive?

Here are four simple– – but effective – – steps to take.

1. Plan your day in advance. Most experts on productivity will describe the necessity of planning. To make the most of your day plan your week in advance, knowing what you have to get done in order to make the week productive.

For example, I will use a few minutes either Saturday or Sunday to look at my calendar and to make plans for the things I have to do.

I always have at least three teaching preparations for the week. That demands that I set aside time to get those preparations completed. The worst thing I can do is get caught by surprise for my responsibilities. I also write a blog every day that demands a certain amount of time and planning.

It also helps me to plan each evening for the next day’s work. Doing so means I don’t get caught by surprise and can’t get caught up by the end of the day.

2. Do those areas that are absolutely necessary first. Put them at the top of the list. Procrastination becomes too easy if you don’t do the important things first. efore you know it you have will have wasted the most productive time of the day. If you do accomplish the most important things first, the rest of your day will be a joyous, beneficial time to accomplish your work.

3. Know when you’re productive times are and don’t waste those times.

Everyone is different. For me, the most productive time is the earliest time of the day.As a seminary professor, I always arrived at least an hour earlier than most people on campus. I found myself getting more done in that hour than in any other two or three hour period of the day.

Even today, the earlier in the day is my most creative time.

4. Keep a list or a notebook with the things you must do for the day. While this seems rather elementary, almost anyone will tell you that they work best from a written script for the day.

In addition to helping you make sure you do what is absolutely necessary, the script also gives you a great reward. You have the satisfaction of seeing what you’ve accomplished.

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