Plan B is the Best Productivity Hack

If there was something you could do that would increase your productivity, would you do it? I bet you would!

Now, that “one thing” hinges on the assumption that you already begin your day armed with a plan. I hope planning your day is a key part of your morning routine but if it’s not, that’s a powerful habit to get into! After all, how you start the day sets the course of your day. If you are curious, here’s what my morning routine looks like.

Productivity

I get a kick out of getting tasks done. Checking tasks off my “to do” list and being productive feels good.

When I’m not able to accomplish what I set out to do, it’s disheartening. In fact, it’s easy for me to fixate on the what I didn’t accomplish rather than celebrating what I was able to get done. If I’m not careful, frustration mounts and I begin to fret and worry. Then fear sets in and it all adds up to STRESS!

My productivity plummets when I am stressed.

The Unexpected

The reality is that nearly every day something unexpected shows up and it often prevents me from executing my plan. There are three ways for me to handle the unexpected in my day:

1. I Can Buck Up

Start working harder and forcing Plan A to happen, which is stressful, exhausting, and no guarantee my plan will actually get done or that my productivity will increase.

2. I Can Give Up

Stop working my plan altogether, escaping into a book, movie, or some other happy activity.

3. I Can Relax and Shift to Plan B

Choosing to dwell on truth. God loves me and He knows exactly what needs to be done. His plans are always better, even when they don’t make sense in the moment. He is always working on my behalf and He has the power to help me.

Depending on the day, I vary in which of above options I choose to pursue. If I am honest, my natural tendency is to work harder and force my plan to happen.

His Plan

God’s been reminding me that there is a better way: Plan B – His plan. The best plan!

He’s not asking me to stop planning altogether – there could be no Plan B if I did that.

God’s been asking me to be quicker to surrender my plan and exchange it for His Plan B. It’s no surprise that my “One Word” for this year has been SURRENDER! He wants me to relax, flex, and trust that His Plan B will ultimately increase my productivity and yield far superior results.

Upgrading

My husband travels a good bit for his business. As a frequent flyer, his coach ticket is often upgraded to first class. That free first-class ticket would not be an option if he had not first purchased the coach seat. To turn down the first-class seat would be pure foolishness. Everyone knows traveling in first class makes for a much better trip!

Plan A is like that coach seat on an airplane flight. Plan B is like the upgrade to first-class. What if you were to do life and work in an upgraded Plan B sort of way?

I’m still learning to switch to Plan B more quickly. Here’s a few things I’ve discovered along the way:

1. How Much God Loves Me!

It’s easier to trust someone when you know that they love you and have your best interests at heart. When I meditate on the many ways that God has demonstrated His deep love for me, it is overwhelming. Just for starters…

• • • He has taken the time to get to know me personally (Psalm 139)
    • His love is everlasting! His kindness is unfailing (Jeremiah 31:3)
    • God’s love is extravagant – beyond what I can comprehend! (Ephesians 3:14-20)
    • He loved me first! (I John 4:19)
    • God loved me enough to send His Son to die in my place! (John 3:16, I John 4:9-10)
    • He forgives me! (Psalm 86:5)

2. How Trustworthy God Is

The more I know that I’m loved, the easier it is to trust God and His plan – accept His upgrade to first-class! But people have let me down, and even sadder, I’ve let others down. That makes trusting harder when Plan A goes awry! Sometimes I feel like God has let me down when my plan crumbles, but hindsight consistently reveals how trustworthy God really is!

The more I experience His faithfulness, the more at ease I am when the unexpected alters my day. Knowing how He has turned the unexpected into good in the past gives me confidence that He will do it again in this crazy moment.

3. How Trusting God Leads to Joy, Peace, and Hope

Trusting God and shifting to Plan B is a process. I’ve had to practice letting go and allowing God to work on my behalf. I’m sure that God is overjoyed that I’m finally getting to a place in my life where I’m willing to let Him do the work!

When I trust Him fully to work out all the details, I experience more joy, peace, and hope in the process too! As I relax and lean into His Plan B, it has surprised me that in the end my productivity has not suffered, it’s soared!

4. How Plan B is Less Stressful

Did you know that the biggest contributor to stress is you, your expectations, and the fear that gets triggered when your expectations aren’t met?

Think about it. When your plan doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it to it triggers your fears. Fear that you won’t…

• • • Meet a deadline.
    • Be as prepared or look as good as you hoped.
    • Achieve success.
    • _______________ – you fill in the blank!

Stress and fear go hand in hand! If I truly believe that God loves me, I will not be afraid when obstacles or interruptions come my way. Instead, I will trust that He…

• • • Knows what He’s up to and that He has something even better in mind for me.
    • Has greater purposes in mind and is molding me into who I need to be in addition to helping me get stuff done.
    • Is orchestrating my life in ways that will yield greater fruit.
    • Knows exactly what needs to get done.

Surrendering is a whole lot less stressful!

5. How Plan B Changes Me

When I doubt God’s love and His goodness, I strive and force things to happen the way I think they should go. I get impatient, angry, and I’m a whole lot less fun to be around!

When I truly believe that God loves me and is eager to help me when my plan goes south, it changes me. It alters my choices and the ways I respond. I’m able to relax, shift to Plan B, and even enjoy shifting! That’s big!

First-class has obvious benefits – extra space, more comfortable seats, access to food and beverages, and more! It’s a more comfortable way to travel.

The same is true for God’s Plan B – the “best” plan! Not only is it a more desirable way to go, it also has a way of molding me into more of who He created me to be so I reflect Him in greater ways.

My behavior is a good barometer of my level of trust. The more I believe, the better I behave!

6. How His Plan Requires Me to Depend on Him

My plan for the day is not made willy-nilly. I prayerfully consider what needs to be done and prioritize carefully. Shifting to Plan B does not necessarily mean I prioritized poorly, but rather it’s an opportunity to demonstrate my willingness to accept the unforeseen twists and turns as a part of His plan. And it’s a chance for me to surrender my plan and depend more on Him.

7. Plan B is About His Glory

Ultimately, my life is meant to bring God glory. When I submit to Plan B, He’s the One glorified.

Are you Satisfied with your level of productivity? Perhaps it’s time to flex to Plan B more quickly!

What’s more challenging for you, making Plan A or shifting to Plan B?

Originally posted on 2/21/17, this post has been updated and revised just for you!