What's Best Next (Matt Perman)

Perman, Matt. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Expanded Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016. 374 pp. $19.99.

Introduction

Matt Perman is a Christian author and thinker who has worked at the intersection of theology and productivity for many years. He previously served at Desiring God under John Piper and later with Made to Flourish, an organization that equips pastors and churches for flourishing ministries. Currently, he is employed by King’s College in New York City, where he serves as the Director of Career Development—a fitting position for someone with as much expertise in the areas of productivity and growth. More importantly, Perman is a Gospel-centered minister, speaking on topics such as leadership and productivity, and is driven to encourage people from diverse walks of life. His vision culminates in his book, What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done, and through his ongoing blog under the same name.

Simply, What’s Best Next is about Gospel-Driven Productivity (GDP), a philosophy of productivity that encompasses all of life by “center[ing] on what the Bible has to say about getting things done while at the same time learning from the best secular thinkers out there” (p. 28). GDP is a holistic and comprehensive system of thought and practice that encourages Christians to do good for others in every facet of life for the glory of God. When productivity is viewed not as “how much can I get done?” but as “how can I serve others to the glory of God?” and “What has the Gospel enabled me to do?” then true transformation can occur. Perman’s goal is to illuminate readers to see productivity in light of God’s Word, no matter if they are a Christian, executive, homemaker, pastor, creative professional, or missionary (p. 20). No matter the faith background or profession, What’s Best Next has something to teach its readers.

Summary

What’s Best Next is divided into seven parts: Part 1 explains the difficulty of accomplishment, where shortcomings often occur, and that ultimate productivity comes from delighting in and living for God; Part 2 posits that the Gospel is the solution to true productivity; Parts 3-6 outline four steps for productivity in the DARE acronym (Define, Architect, Reduce, Execute); and Part 7 explains productivity not as individualistic but as an effort for the betterment of local communities and the whole world (pp. 29-31).

Part 1 is titled “First Things First: Making God Supreme in Our Productivity.” In this crucial opening section, Perman argues that productivity, as it is commonly understood, is a complex concept (ch. 1), and that the answer is not merely becoming more effective or efficient (ch. 2), but rather by knowing God (ch. 3), who earnestly cares that His people be productive (ch. 4). Citing the Creation Mandate, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28), Perman makes apparent God’s will that His creatures be productive (pp. 62-63). Furthermore, he draws upon the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 to illustrate that what God has provided to His creation is expected to yield a return. God’s people, and indeed all people, are to do this by walking “not as unwise but as wise, making the most of the time” (Eph. 5:15-16). Therefore, productivity is something that God desires of all people because He Himself is wise (pp. 65-66).

Part 2, “Gospel-Driven Productivity: A New Way to Look at Getting Things Done,” continues to redefine productivity in light of God’s Word, explaining that while productivity is about getting things done (ch. 5), it is more so about love (ch. 6), and that the Gospel is the source of this (ch. 7). The Gospel provides peace of mind in the midst of a busy life and workload (ch. 8), and Scripture and Prayer keep individuals grounded in this Gospel reality (ch. 9) so that they can focus on what God would have them concentrate on for His glory and their good (ch. 10). He profoundly declares, “to be productive is to be abundant in doing good for others… the discipline of personal productivity, then, is the process by which individuals [make themselves effective]—that is, the process of taking [their] talents, abilities, and opportunities and making them useful for the good of others, the glory of God, and [their] joy” (p. 140). In short, he redefines productivity as effectively serving God and His creation, and in doing so, individuals and all of creation are blessed with joy. He concludes the section with a preview of DARE (p. 141).

Parts 3-6, comprising the DARE acronym—“Define: Know What’s Most important,” “Architect: Create a Flexible Structure,” “Reduce: Free Up Your Time for What’s Most Important,” and “Execute: Do What’s Most Important”—demonstrate that productivity is fundamentally about prioritization. “Define” focuses on God-centered direction, including the necessity of identifying a mission statement (ch. 11), specific callings or purposes (ch. 12), and clarifications of roles, as every aspect of an individual’s life is part of their calling (ch. 13). Callings are not just vocational but comprehensive, and identifying God-given purposes in all of life ultimately sets the initiative for what must be prioritized in the following steps of DARE. “Architect,” then, turns the intentions discovered in “Define” into motion by developing a weekly plan (ch. 14) and committing to six routines: rising early, daily workflow, weekly workflow, Prayer and Scripture, reading and development, and rest (ch. 15). However, even in the midst of knowing intentions and planning accordingly, things can be difficult. Thus, “Reduce” is about focusing on the priorities of the most importance. This exemplifies the classic ‘less-is-more’ phenomenon (ch. 16). “Reduce” is also concerned with delegation, complete elimination, automation, and deferring (ch. 17). Perman also spends time in this section explaining basic distractions such as procrastination and interruptions from others, and even how they can be taken advantage of (ch. 18). Fundamentally, the “reduce” step is taking what has been planned and making the necessary adjustments to achieve the tasks at hand successfully. Finally, the fourth step of productivity, “Execute,” is the actual execution of what is most important, whether it be weekly planning (ch. 19), managing emails and workflow (ch. 20), or setting projects in motion (ch. 21). He ends the section on several practical tips for effective execution in getting things done (ch. 22). Execution is basically the “get it done” part of the entire productivity process.

Part 7, “Living This Out,” outlines additional practical steps to implement everything mentioned previously. Yet, it also builds upon the information from previous parts and chapters, applying it on a much larger scale. Perman posits that productivity is not just individualistic but also corporate. A productive individual will desire the betterment of organizations and societies (ch. 23) and nations through missiological endeavors (ch. 24), and Christians seek such things together. He concludes by reminding his readers that they will ultimately suffer, for the world is still fallen, but that it is a privilege to be productive through suffering for the sake of God’s glory, the Gospel, and the lost people of the world (ch. 25).

Following a brief conclusion (p. 343), the final section of the book provides a practical toolkit to help readers become more productive. The tools include a 500-word recap of the book (pp. 347-348), an appendix on creativity (pp. 349-352), a reference guide that functions like an index of productivity topics (pp. 353-354), a section on recommended reading (pp. 355-358), an online toolkit (p. 359), and more information on sharing the book with others (p. 361). Additionally, although not part of the toolkit, a section of notes is provided for further study (pp. 365-374).

Critical Evaluation

The strengths of What’s Best Next are numerous. Perman’s knowledge of productivity through the lens of the Bible, or more appropriately, what the Bible says about productivity, is invaluable. Truly, reiterating John Piper in his foreword, “[this reviewer] doubts there is a person on the planet who knows both theological issues and time management literature to the depth and extent Matt Perman does. This combination is at times mindboggling” (p. 11). That is to say, Perman does seemingly achieve his goal of writing a comprehensive and helpful guide for Gospel-driven productivity. At over 350 pages, this book is thorough and complete, yet perhaps it is just the tip of the iceberg of a proper philosophy of Gospel-driven productivity.

As an expert in GDP, Perman provides tools for further study and practical application at the end of his extensive work, fully aware that there is far more to say on the topic. These tools are very beneficial. For instance, the brief recap is both pastoral and missional in tone, imploring and encouraging readers to be productive by loving God and others (pp. 347-348). It also succinctly provides the four steps in DARE and five main takeaways: 1. God is the foundation for purpose, security, and guidance; 2. “Give your whole self to God (Rom. 12:1-2), and then live for the good of others to his glory to show that he is great in the world;” 3. “Love your neighbor as yourself;” 4. Prioritize based on importance; and 5. Plan weekly. These five practices encapsulate the entire philosophy of Gospel-driven productivity and provide readers with a solid reminder of the book’s core contents. Indeed, it is a concise and productive summary of the entire book.

Another strength of Perman’s What’s Best Next is the summary statements, quotes, core verses, applications, and reflections he provides at the end of each chapter, collectively referred to as “the box.” If one desired to conduct a deep dive and a devotional study on productivity, reading a chapter a day, they would be able to do so for almost a month, as there is not only enough content but also a theologically and edifyingly robust approach. “The box” leaves room for genuine and honest reflection, which brings about real transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Returning to Ephesians 5:15-16 and proceeding into verse 18, this opportunity for reflection aligns with the principle of discerning the way one is walking. Productivity requires discernment and intentionality, and these qualities are enabled by the Holy Spirit.

A third strength of Perman is his treatment of Biblical verses. He does not desire to take any verse out of context to fit into his philosophy; rather, he carefully exposits the Scriptures to see what they actually say about the topic of productivity. Once again, Ephesians 5:15-16 is the case in point. Perman faithfully exegetes the verses, comparing them to other passages such as Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom,” and Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (pp. 65-66). Together, these verses demonstrate that productivity or ‘getting things done’ requires wisdom. Still, Perman treats passages this carefully throughout the book, and such treatment demonstrates his trustworthiness.

While What’s Best Next is a helpful and edifying read, it is not without its weaknesses. Firstly, the book’s length presents a double-edged sword. On one edge, the book’s comprehensive take on productivity is far easier for the author to manage at length. However, on the other edge, the book’s length presents quite a challenge for readers, especially on a topic as specialized as productivity. For the sake of brevity—a word the author would have done well to avail himself of—the book is far too long. Perhaps Perman should have taken his own advice—the book would have been much more productive if it conformed to the ‘less is more’ phenomenon. This reviewer understands that this is an expanded edition of the book. Still, it is quite ironic that a book on productivity requires such a tumultuous undertaking.

Another weakness of the book is its tendency to repeat information. For instance, both chapter 14, “Setting Up Your Week,” and chapter 19, “Weekly planning,” cover the same topic. While these chapters elaborate on each other, this repetition raises the question of whether an expanded edition was necessary. The same principles may have been conveyed more effectively in a concise presentation without requiring readers to reiterate the same material. This reader would have enjoyed an abridged edition over an expanded one.

Lastly, and on a more substantive note, Perman’s mention of common grace warrants more attention (p. 28). Throughout the book, he draws on secular theories of productivity to inform his task of edifying and guiding readers toward a more robust understanding and practice of Gospel-driven productivity. Yet, he never provides a strong theological explanation of what common grace actually is or what it entails. Instead, he assumes that his audience agrees with him, and while most readers ultimately will agree, this presents a missed opportunity. Common grace, along with saving grace, is a central component of the Gospel Message, and for a book explicitly driven by the Gospel, this omission is significant.

While What’s Best Next does have its weaknesses, mainly in terms of exhaustiveness and length, its emphasis on the Gospel and God as foundational elements will undoubtedly set all readers on the correct path towards a more productive life and ministry. Furthermore, Perman is profoundly practical, and the book is designed to be helpful no matter which page it is opened to. Thus, if one is intimidated by its large page count, it can still be beneficial when used in an encyclopaedia-like manner.

With both strengths and weaknesses in mind, and the latter weakness—the lack of a developed theology of common grace—perhaps due to the intended audience of the book (p. 20), this reader recommends the book to all who are burdened with exhaustive schedules filled with work, events, other priorities, and the painful experiences of a fallen world (ch. 25). Readers, be warned: this is a challenging read, yet it contains invaluable information that will forever change the way productivity is thought of and practiced in light of the Gospel planned, accomplished, and applied by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Overall, What’s Best Next is a profound, informative, comprehensive, and edifying book about Gospel-driven productivity, redefining productivity not as “getting things done” but as “loving God and neighbor and serving them.” Therefore, it is a helpful read for those in ministry, parents, students, busy professionals, and all who aspire to become better at managing time and priorities. This reader hopes it will be an edifying read for all who open its covers. Moreover, he prays that the experiences and practices learned from this book would truly be life-changing and God-glorifying.