At Koshiz Music, my mission is to help you reach your highest self, while meeting God in the process. At the very essence of this mission is creating in your mind the systems, visions, and processes that help you live intentionally. And for people like you and me to do this, we have to take advantage of our most valuable, most scarce asset: time. That’s why, in order to live intentionally, you should identify your Most Valuable Activities.
What Does “Value” Mean?
I’ve learned that value is something that people talk a lot about but can’t easily define. So here’s how I break it down: Value is anything that transforms you or gives you power (i.e. the ability to act on something to get what you want).
In an effort to turn this definition into a repeatable process, you can ask yourself this question: “Does (x) transform me into a better version of myself?” Said differently, does it give you power or leave you powerless? If you can answer that in a positive, uplifting way, then you have not only found a valuable use of your time, you’ve even come to learn the very definition of value in the first place.
Most Valuable Activities
When you’re trying to manage your time better, you should identify your Most Valuable Activities. Strictly speaking, Most Valuable Activities (MVA’s) are how some people prioritize their most mission-critical tasks. People who live their lives on autopilot aren’t wired to think this way. People who are less conscious of themselves and their surroundings don’t know what they want. So other people decide for them. That’s why they remain stagnant, or worse, let themselves go. But not you. You’re always evolving.
Transformation
Strictly speaking, a transformation changes the state of something. A raw material can be transformed into a final good. Learning and conducting research, by itself, is not valuable. What’s valuable is using those insights you’ve learned to do something new with that information.
A transformation brings something a little closer towards the intended product, even if that change is very small. By definition, a valuable use of time has to be transformative. Simply being inspired by a Pinterest board is not transformative, until you make a move to bring your creation to life. Scrolling on Instagram Reels or Facebook is not a valuable use of time (especially if your feed is full of things that make you feel worse off than before, insecure, anxious, powerless, helpless…you get the idea, yeah?)
Information Isn’t Transformation
There is a bucket of information that I like to call “True But Not Important.” This is information that may be true, but if I can’t use the newfound information to make myself a better version of myself, then I typically disregard it. This is why I like to say that the cost of truth is peace. (I’ll expand on that in a separate article.)
Thinking, Worrying, or Anxiety is Not a Valuable Activity
For thinkers and other knowledge workers of the sort, thinking is an MVA only if brings about something new. Have you ever heard the saying, “worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”? Here’s why that’s true: worrying doesn’t turn into anything positive. It makes us more anxious, frazzled, powerless. It consumes our time. This is why I believe that worrying is a sin. I’ve written before about how to know what is and isn’t a sin without checking the Bible each time. But this is a sin towards yourself. It doesn’t give you a connection with God, your higher power. If worrying is part of problem-solving, however, then of course it can be a great use of time. It has to be productive and positive.
The Things You Own
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Luke 16:9
Whether it’s a rocking chair, a toaster, a screwdriver, a smart phone, a firearm, or even money, the material things we own are tools. We use them to give us the power to reach a higher power. We don’t put our faith in objects for the sake of it (that would be idol worship). We use those things to bless others. This is what I always keep in mind when I’m practicing minimalism.
Return on Investment
We should invest the time we spend on our Most Valuable Activities, not spend it. Ideally, when we use our time, money, and energy wisely, we should be better off than we were before the “transaction.” More educated, more peaceful, more influential, closer to godliness. I always keep this in mind with all of the content, music, and clothing I produce. The ROI need not always be in terms of money (but it would be great if it were!). But it should plant a seed of growth in someone else. As I said above, it’s not enough to just be inspiring or motivating. It should give us, and those around us, the ability to act; it should grant power, or freedom at the very least.
Our Power Struggles with the Supernatural: An Important Note on the Use of Objects
The material things in this world over which we have dominion and control should be used to point directly back to Yahweh, the divine. Anything that deflects away from or dilutes His glory and His power is not valuable, and I’d venture to say is demonic. This includes the likes of crystals, stones, tarot cards and energy readings, rituals, burning sage, or any other newfangled New Age practice.
As believers, we have free-will to use items (and, let’s face it, people) for good or evil. Guns, money, words, vehicles, or whatever else can be used for nefarious purposes. That doesn’t make the item evil, but it’s owner. Unless an item is infused with a demonic spirit, the point of blame for the effect of these things on the world is, and always will be, with the person behind the trigger, transaction, wheel, keyboard, or whatever else is causing harm in the world (Ephesians 6:12).
The truth is that only through Christ can the flesh be changed. We cannot legislate these problems. No matter how many laws are passed, or how many good intentions there may be, outside of Christ there is no resolution.
Rev. Billy Graham
Consciousness is Power
As they say, saying “yes” to one thing means saying “no” to another. So, as intentional people, we have to decide how we want to spend our time, money, and energy on the things that transform us, or give us power. When we run each of our decisions through the lense of personal power and transformation, we get a step closer to becoming our highest self.
Did you love this article? Do you want to express your values and live what you love? Check out the Koshiz Music store! It’s full of valuable music and merch design with you in mind. They’re created to help you start meaningful conversations that create deeper understandings about life, love, and the pursuit of God in our lives. And of course, your purchases directly support the Koshiz Mission!
