Book Review: What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.—Eph. 5:15-17 ESV
Book Information:
Author: Matt Perman
Pages: 349 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Year: 2014
I am a productivity junkie, so when this book came out, the tagline really grabbed me. It also came out right at a time in my life where I felt very unproductive, so I was intrigued. How can I maximize my time in the daily things I do so that I can proactively love God and others by doing the most important things first?
The first two parts of the book set the stage for the main four sections, which explores the four suggestions on how we can wisely use our time, using the acronym DARE:
Define our vision, mission, and our roles.
Architect or create a flexible weekly time map
Reduce any unhelpful commitments by delegating, eliminating, automating, and deferring
Execute your plan through weekly planning and daily execution
Though there were points in the book where it got a bit in the weeds for me, I appreciated the emphasis on the book on what he calls Gospel-Driven Productivity (or GDP for short). It was a God-centered, Christ-exalting look at time stewardship with a strong theological basis that inspired my time management series on this blog.
However, a possible concern for some is that he quotes from and uses a lot of counsel from secular time-management literature. He defends his use of these sources based on two reasons: 1) the doctrine of common grace and 2) the doctrine of vocation. (See Additional Resources below for his articles on this.) I’ll say more about my own thoughts on this in my reflection.
If you’re strapped for time—and that may be a good reason to pick up a book on time management!—I’d head straight to the helpful “Toolkit” at the end for help. There, he consolidates the book’s main ideas for you.
On the other hand, if you already have a solid time management system in place that works, then I’d suggest a different focus. For you, the Preface that highlight twelve myths of productivity, the Introduction that defines GDP, Parts 1 and 2 that reframe productivity in light of faith and love, and Part 7 that places productivity into the context of culture and mission in a fallen world—may be more helpful.
How This Book Helped Me
I have always loved being productive. Checking things off my list made me happy. But in 2012, when we adopted our daughter, my world got turned upside down.
The first few chapters really helped me to reset my thinking about my time and reimagine how God might be able to change how I thought about my life and tasks. I took the rest of the book and worked through the details slowly, experimenting with ways to apply the four skills (DARE) into my particular context. As I began to put words to what God was inviting me to do in my life, I also began to see my ministry to our daughter in a new light.
As for the quotes from secular sources, I honestly felt a little bit uncomfortable. I did appreciate the helpful ideas but that is what they simply are—ideas for how to connect the dots. They did help provide some practical ways to address the particular challenges we face in the 21st century.
However, I would be careful not to equate these ideas with the authority of Scripture. Yes, we can learn from secular thinkers, but as Abner Chou points out in his talk “Common Grace and the Sufficiency of Scripture,” they are not equal to Scripture. And we need to be careful not to elevate these great suggestions to that level.
What I’m realizing is that God’s ways work because they are God’s ways, whether you are a believer or not. That is the common grace. As a believer, I want to be able to humbly tap into that wisdom—which sometimes seems more helpful at times than Christian counsel I have received—but I also need to remember that it is just that: wisdom, not gospel.
So when I read about “creating boundaries” for my work time, I need to ask myself why that is wise. It’s wise because of something far more fundamental: it is because I have God-designed limits. I cannot do everything for everybody to the same level.
When I say “no,” it should not be for selfish reasons. It should be because I understand that God does not expect me to do everything. He remembers I am dust (Ps. 103:14).
He also has good works for me to do. I need to ask myself when I am tempted to let requests override my limits who I’m trying to please. Am I trying to please God? Or am I merely trying to please others and keep them happy?
So when I read about creating boundaries for my work time, which means saying no to other requests, I need to reframe this in biblical categories. I do this because God has called me to a particular work to do—even as a homemaker. My work is to sacrifice for my family, even if it means I turn away valid and worthy requests. I do this so that I can be fully available for the people God has called me to serve, in a way that honors the limits of my humanity.
This may seem like a bit of mental gymnastics but I found it important. As a reader, I enjoy reading books from secular leaders as well. And the practical advice I discover is often better than what I have read in Christian books of the same genre. However, I thought I’d share this, just in case it becomes a stumbling block for some in this helpful book.
A Quote and A Question
“We feel unfulfilled when there is a gap between what is most important to us (the realm of personal leadership) and what we are actually doing with our time (the realm of personal management). You are satisfied with your day when there is a match between what you value and how you spend your time.”—ch. 3
If you are feeling unfulfilled in your work, how wide is the gap between your personal leadership and your personal management? Consider what is most important to you. Then consider how you actually use your time.
If the gap is significant, take some time to pray and ask the Lord to help you to close the gap—and pick up this book to guide you!
Additional Resources
What’s Best Next: the blog: this blog has a lot of helpful articles, but he did stop writing in it early on after the onset of the 2020 pandemic. But there is plenty to read!
The Toolkit: this is the page mentioned in the book, but it includes the link to his article “Why I Quote Secular Authors in This Book.”
