In this life there are different choices that you can make and paths you can take. One is being productive and the other is being destructive. Usually we’re not all one or the other but we’re all living at a certain point on a sliding scale between the two. Here’s how I define both of these extremes.

Being productive is fulfilling your potential in all areas of life, given your current abilities, environment and restrictions all while feeling a strong sense of contentment (not complacency). It’s not just a work thing, it affects all parts of your life.

When you’re productive you’re intentional about the things you do day-to-day and take action to make things happen that in your mind and heart you know are good for you. You don’t let culture, peer pressure, jealousy or any other force dictate who you are and what you do.

Your personal relationships are strong and you surround yourself with people who are going to speak truth into your life and truly care about you in a deep and meaningful way.

Being destructive is choosing to live out your life in a way that’s harmful to your relationships, personal health or overall well-being most likely for some type of unattainable expectations you’ve set for yourself.

You let your emotions pull you in different directions and depending on the day you let the current of life sweep you in whatever way it wants. You complain and are frustrated about things that in your heart you know you can change, you just don’t have the discipline or understanding of how to do it. You feel like you deserve better and get upset when others are doing things you feel you’re entitled to. You have a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out) and you’re more worried about what others are doing than yourself.

You make the assumption that you can do everything without anyone else’s help and your motivations to succeed are based on what you feel like other people want you to be.

Every decision we make and everything that we do can be bucketed into these two different types of outcomes. Sometimes we make a decision knowing which way it’s going to lead us, but others we have to make the decision first to find out. Then it’s up to us whether or not we make the same decision over and over again.

You’re not always going to make productive decisions but you should be aware which way each one is going to take you. Also, how do you feel after making each one and why should you/shouldn’t you make the same decision again? Take some time to think though what you’re doing and why it’s making you feel the way it is. Then you can decide whether or not it’s a decision you want to continue making in your life.

It sounds simple, but in the world we live in there’s always something else that we can distract ourselves with instead of focusing on the things that really make a difference in our lives. Knowing if the things you’re doing are productive or destructive is a great way to take that focus back and make some positive changes in your life.