Book Review: Make The Most of Your Productivity

A Guide To Honoring God With Your Time

Make the Most of Your Productivity is one of the new kids on the block for Christian-based productivity books, at least in English. It was first published in Spanish in 2020. Crossway released the English version in 2024. The author, Ana Ávila, serves as a senior writer for Coalición por el Evangelico and hosts the Piensa Podcast. She has a degree in clinical biochemistry and a diploma in biblical studies.

Ávila explains her thesis in the following way: “A productive person is someone who takes whatever resources they have (regardless of whether they are many or few, whether they are valued or overlooked) and seeks to use them to fulfill the purpose for which they were put on earth” (6). She believes productivity is for everyone - the top executive, student, or busy housewife and mother. Her writing reflects this belief. Ávila explains that productive people are servants (11) who work while resting upon the Lord (13).

Ávila argues that many are “using productivity backward… thinking that your productivity is for you” (19). She explains that productivity is about loving God and others, thus fulfilling the two great commandments. She puts forth Jesus as “the most productive person in the world [who] died unjustly on a cross” (20). This is a truth that most productivity books ignore. Productivity, at times, leads to sacrifice!

“The most important thing is to learn to say no to yourself.” (59)

She divides the book into three sections: foundations, principles, and practices. The most extensive section, principles, covers these topics: time, limits, decisions, focus, habits, and tools. The reader will find many typical time management principles, but Ávila presents her suggestions in a biblical, gospel-centered way. Her teaching on horizons, goals, and projects is most helpful when doing short-range planning with long-term outcomes. She warns of four major obstacles to productivity: lack of confidence, direction, motivation, and focus. She suggests addressing these deficiencies by developing four qualities of character: faith, purpose, diligence, and depth.

In the book's final section, Ávila walks her readers through aligning their lives, planning out their weeks, and making the most of their days. If you are new to productivity or need a refresher, Ávila’s short 156-page book will give you many ideas or reminders from a biblical, grace-filled perspective.

Find it here: Crossway Amazon Christianbook