Nurturing Productivity During Various Seasons of Work

Sometimes our efforts don’t seem to meet our expectations, especially on a daily or weekly basis. Yet like trees and seasons, there are times for planting, and nurturing to produce a good harvest. Look at the cycles of productivity and notice similar attributes to the seasons of the year God created. Like planting and nurturing seed to harvesting fruit, work takes time to produce results. Each season needs different energy and focus.

This concept applies to relationships, work, homemaking, raising children, grandparenting, ministry and other areas. When we evaluate and understand the season that any phase of a product or life is in, we can also identify what to do to encourage growth or enjoy the fruit of the labor.

Some change comes unexpectedly like a natural disaster that requires clearing debris and rebuilding or a move that means making new friends and community connections. Others like raising children have a long growth season to maturity or the next stage, and yet there are also cycles or seasons as children reach new steps or accomplishments.

Spring is the time to plant new ideas or renew old ones. It’s a time of following visions, a time of refreshing and growth. Whether it is a new renovation, redecorating, starting a project, or renewing or starting a new relationship, enjoy the high energy and exciting hopes. In life, this can be new parenthood, transition of the ages of children and their new starts, empty nesting, new career, relandscaping, redoing a room for a new purpose, starting to write a book, begin a business, or designing a new outfit to make. Pray as you plan and decide to do the project.

Grab onto the ideas of productivity in one area of your life that is in “spring”.

· Record reasons for enthusiasm.

· List all ideas generated, listing benefits and hopes of each.

· Plan steps needed to nurture the growth.

· Note materials to buy or make.

· Brainstorm on how to implement ideas.

· Be careful not to get overcommitted or avoid other responsibilities.

· Journal or post the goals and reasons for the planting of something new.

Summer is the time of growth as ideas sprout and growth continues with nurturing and prayer. It’s also a time when pests and distractions may invade. Negative criticism, a failure of one step, or other problems may dash hopes. It’s a time to be persistent, overcome struggles, and invest time in the project or relationship. New skills may be needed such as editing or accepting critique of a book, new methods of discipline or educating children, or learning new software.

In productivity work may include implementing a renovation of a kitchen or child rearing routine, or engaging children with new methods. Make time for work by simplifying cooking with batch cooking, delegating some tasks to family members, or hiring help.

· Plan refreshing breaks from work.

· Water the project or relationship with prayer and God’s Word.

· Photograph and record the progress.

· Keep work manageable by breaking large tasks into steps.

· Keep normal routines going and engage interested family members in the new undertaking.

Autumn

Autumn brings different work and joy in harvesting. This can also be a time of falling off when the brightness of joy fades if the outcome is less than expected. Interest can whither unless you evaluate and consider what will improve results.

In terms of productivity, celebrate the rewards of labor in seeing children accomplish skills or pass a grade, completing a makeover, or enjoying new aspects of friendships. Be thankful, celebrate success, evaluate what’s next, and pray for continued guidance.

· Focus on harvesting results.

· Evaluate outcomes.

· List successes and note improvements to work on.

· Take photos and journal about the process and results.

Winter

Winter is when ideas seem cold and lifeless or the work has come to fruition and now it’s time for rest. Rest allows time to reenergize and renew the focus. This is a time to rest after working hard, to dream of the coming spring, and consider how to add to the fruitfulness with new ideas.

This is a time to look ahead for what’s next in child rearing, developing a marketing for a book, adding new touches to a remodel with rearranging furniture or hanging wall decorations.

· Rest, recover and reflect.

· Consider new strategies to implement in the future and possible new projects or continuing the implemented dreams of last spring.

· Learn new skills that will be useful in the next season.

· Pause after initial cleanup or unpacking from harvest time.

· If you are discouraged, pray for renewal.

Strategies for the Current and Next Season

Identify your season and reflect on what is needed. Define your focus for the current season? Identify how much time and energy is needed? List what will help you hold onto the dream now and in the next season?

If you face burnout or the dream appears to be dying, revisit the notes and postings from spring and the harvest from fall to lift your spirits and recall why the project matters.

· Be Flexible: Problems will crop up and you’ll need to make adjustments to the plan.

· The hard seasons such as disaster recovery or a big move take time and energy, so get plenty or rest and eat well.

· The slowness of some projects, such raising a child with handicaps can seem endless. Be thankful for each small step and each small season of working on one small but important goal.

Waiting is also part of the process. Whether it’s waiting for the next stage of parenting as you plant new seeds of expectation or the growth of new friends as you invest time in listening and discovering common interests, be patient. Some seeds take time to sprout. Some plants like avocado trees take a long time to produce fruit. Projects can be short or long term. The harvest and lessons learned make the effort worth it.