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5 Insights from Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

slow down, go farther

Author

Ian Tenenbaum
April 28, 2024 • Read Time: 6 minutes

Happy Sunday friends,

This week I listened to Slow Productivity by Cal Newport which was awesome.

Most of us know him from the famous book “Deep Work”.

This book shares much of the same underlying principles.

  • do less

  • do it better

  • do fewer things at a time

  • think with a longer time horizon

My biggest takeaway is that we benefit SO much from having a career pursuit that we actually care about.

He talks about the “art” of taking our time and working on something “meaningful” over longer periods.

The only way I have been able to do this is when I believe I am building something valuable for the long term.

Not just “collecting a paycheck”.

I distilled the book down to 5 key insights and how we can apply them today.

Let’s get to work.

Ian

Key Takeaways

Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

#1

Productivity is problematic

  • Newport discusses the pitfalls of modern productivity culture, highlighting the detrimental effects of busyness and pseudo-productivity on knowledge workers' well-being and innovation.

  • Slow productivity emerges as a solution, advocating for a deliberate, quality-focused approach that prioritizes intentionality over speed.

Key Message: the importance of rethinking our approach to work and prioritizing quality over quantity for sustainable productivity and well-being.

To apply today:

  1. Question the belief that more tasks equate to better results and embrace a slower, more intentional pace of work.

  2. Focus on meaningful contributions rather than staying busy, emphasizing depth over breadth in our work.

  3. Redefine success in the knowledge economy by moving towards a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to work.

#2

Slowness provides attractive alternatives to the exhausting culture of burnout

  • In 1986, McDonald's announcement of plans for a massive restaurant in Rome spurred Carlo Petrini to launch the Slow Food campaign, advocating for a slower, more authentic culinary experience.

  • “Slow Food” and movements like “Slow Cities” and “Slow Medicine” promote sustainable alternatives to the cult of speed and productivity.

Key Message: Embrace deliberate, quality-focused approaches rooted in tradition to counteract the negative effects of fast-paced lifestyles and prioritize meaningful work.

To apply today:

  • Present attractive alternatives to entrenched systems, drawing from traditional wisdom and emphasizing authenticity over speed.

  • Tap into time-tested solutions and practices to reform cultural norms, fostering sustainable alternatives to the obsession with productivity.

  • Reevaluate productivity by prioritizing flexibility, meaningful endeavors, and honoring other commitments beyond traditional work structures.

#3

To do more, start by doing less

  • Newport shares a story about Jane Austen which demonstrates the power of focused, deliberate work amidst life's challenges.

  • Despite facing frequent relocations and family illnesses, Austen's methodical approach to writing in a tranquil setting allowed her to create literary masterpieces that shaped English literature.

Key Message: Quality often trumps quantity, and by prioritizing meaningful work and minimizing distractions, we can achieve remarkable outcomes.

To apply today:

  1. Learning to say "no" to non-essential tasks and distractions to focus on what truly matters.

  2. Streamlining our workloads to allow for deep, focused work on important projects rather than spreading ourselves too thin.

  3. Setting specific goals aligned with our overarching objectives to ensure meaningful progress and avoid unnecessary diversions.

#4:

Breakthroughs take time

Newport highlights the contrasting pace of the modern workplace with the leisurely timelines of historical luminaries like Copernicus, Newton, and Curie.

Despite their groundbreaking discoveries, these scientists made time for leisure and embraced the value of breaks for innovation and creativity.

Key Message: The importance of pacing ourselves and embracing breaks for sustained productivity and creativity.

To apply today:

  1. Rethinking our concept of time by crafting longer-term plans and doubling project deadlines to allow for a more deliberate pace of work.

  2. Embracing the concept of seasonality by designating slow seasons for prioritizing work-life balance and rejuvenation.

  3. Implementing intentional rituals like no-meeting Mondays or quarterly personal days to strike a balance between productivity and well-being in our work routines.

#5:

Obsess over quality

  • Steve Jobs' return to Apple in the late 90s saw the company's transformation from near failure to profitability through a strategic emphasis on quality over quantity.

  • Slow productivity, exemplified by Apple's turnaround, highlights the importance of prioritizing quality in work processes to achieve sustainable success.

Key Message: Prioritizing quality over quantity, as demonstrated by Apple's turnaround under Steve Jobs, is essential for sustainable success in a fast-paced industry like technology.

To apply today:

  • Cultivate a discerning eye for quality by immersing yourself in your field, seeking inspiration from diverse sources, and engaging with peers to refine your taste collaboratively.

  • Adopt sustainable strategies for pursuing passion projects, such as carving out dedicated time, valuing leisure, and setting concrete goals to avoid burnout.

  • Share your work with the world to hold yourself accountable and foster a sense of urgency in your creative process, challenging prevailing fast-paced culture norms.

TL:DR

  • In today's fast-paced world, we often feel overwhelmed by tasks that don't really matter.

  • To do our best work, it's important to slow down and focus on what's truly important.

  • Saying no to unimportant tasks helps us work at a comfortable pace that feels natural.

  • Instead of focusing on quantity, we should aim to do fewer things really well.

On May 6th, I’m launching the Founders Group of the ADHD Productivity Club!

This program is for you if:

  • You struggle with ADHD and know you are capable of so much more,

  • You need help to understand what is related to your ADHD or not

  • You want to learn effective strategies that reduce the struggle

  • You would benefit from additional structure, support, and community

  • You have big ideas and are currently struggling to execute at your best

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