“This is what ultimately matters: where you end up, not the speed at which you get there, or the number of people you impress with your jittery busyness along the way.”
-Cal Newport
Slow productivity. At first, it sounds like a contradiction. But this transformative approach to work might just be what you need to pull back from the brink of burnout. Let me share how slow productivity can reshape your understanding of work and output, emphasizing focused attention, a deliberate pace, and an obsession with quality. It’s time to challenge the fast-paced culture and embark on a journey toward producing meaningful work that stands the test of time.
The Problem with Modern Productivity
In our relentless pursuit of productivity, we’ve fallen into a trap—one that breeds burnout and crushes innovation. The issue isn’t productivity itself but our flawed understanding and application of it. Enter slow productivity, an antidote to our frenetic work culture. It’s about doing less at a slower pace, and prioritizing quality work. This concept challenges us to rethink our entire approach to work.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that good work requires increasing busyness—that more emails, tasks, and meetings equate to better results. This mindset values visibility over true productivity, giving rise to pseudo-productivity. In the knowledge sector, where work is intangible and hard to measure, we’ve defaulted to valuing visible activity over actual output. This has only been exacerbated by communication technologies like whatsapp, telegram, emails etc that blur the lines between work and personal life.
As a result, many knowledge workers, especially in the U.S., find themselves among the most stressed globally. A recent McKinsey survey revealed a significant increase in burnout among knowledge workers, who feel overwhelmed by the demands of pseudo-productivity. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Slow productivity offers a path forward—a path that values intentionality over speed, depth over breadth.
Slow Productivity as an Antidote to Burnout Culture
In 1986, McDonald’s planned a massive restaurant in Rome, causing concern among Italians who cherished their culinary traditions. In response, Carlo Petrini launched the Slow Food movement, celebrating deliberate and thoughtful food preparation and enjoyment. This movement teaches us the importance of presenting attractive alternatives and drawing from time-tested traditions.
Following the Slow Food example, other movements have emerged to counter the relentless pursuit of speed and productivity. The Slow Cities initiative promotes pedestrian-friendly urban spaces, while Slow Medicine advocates for holistic healthcare. These movements share a common goal: providing sustainable alternatives to the cult of busyness. It’s time for productivity to undergo a slow makeover, starting with reevaluating what productivity truly means.
The pandemic has prompted a reassessment of work habits. Many companies that shifted to remote work face resistance as they try to mandate a return to the office. Employees have discovered the flexibility to work on their terms, aligning with their schedules and honoring other commitments. They recognize the hollow demands of pseudo-productivity and are seeking meaningful alternatives rooted in tradition.
Doing Less to Achieve More
The cornerstone of slow productivity lies in doing fewer things but doing them better. Take Jane Austen, who, despite her prolific output, maintained a methodical, quality-driven approach. Her story teaches us the value of saying “no” to unnecessary tasks and focusing on what truly matters.
In today’s fast-paced work culture, saying “yes” to everything is often seen as a badge of honor. However, to create meaningful work, we must prioritize our workload, allowing ample time for deep, focused work. By lightening our load, we can immerse ourselves in transformative projects rather than succumbing to tasks that fill the void of busyness.
Not all obligations are equal. Some are genuine commitments, while others are distractions. Virtual meetings, for example, often come with significant administrative overhead, leaving little time for core tasks. Instead, dedicate yourself to one core task at a time, allowing nearly an entire day for deep, focused work essential for creative or complex endeavors.
Slow productivity doesn’t mean reduced productivity; it means higher quality output by giving each task the attention it deserves. Be specific in limiting your missions, projects, and daily goals to those aligned with your overarching objectives. This deliberate approach helps ensure meaningful progress toward your larger goals.
Breakthroughs Take Time
The modern workplace’s pace would baffle great minds like Copernicus, Newton, and Curie, who took their time to achieve groundbreaking work. These luminaries understood that progress is not linear and that breaks are essential for innovation and creativity.
To slow our pace and enhance productivity, we must rethink our concept of time. Instead of focusing on daily or quarterly achievements, consider the possibilities of a longer timeframe. Craft a five-year plan that allows for sustained growth and development, and when setting project deadlines, double your initial estimates to provide the breathing room needed for deliberate work.
Embrace seasonality in your work, allowing for fluctuations in intensity. Designate slow seasons where you prioritize work-life balance, finishing your day promptly and resisting the urge to take on extra tasks. These fallow periods rejuvenate your energy, paving the way for bursts of productivity during busier times.
Obsess Over Quality
Apple’s resurgence under Steve Jobs exemplifies the power of prioritizing quality over quantity. Slow productivity, with its focused approach and deliberate pace, creates the perfect environment for an obsession with quality. Achieving world-class quality requires cultivating a discerning eye, a process that unfolds over time.
Immerse yourself in your chosen field, study its nuances, and seek inspiration from diverse sources. Engage with like-minded individuals to refine your taste collaboratively. Invest in high-quality tools and materials, recognizing their role in nurturing both pleasure and confidence in your creative pursuits.
Sustainable success requires balancing dedication with self-care. Many success stories begin with individuals maximizing their spare time for passion projects, but this approach risks burnout. Instead, consider sustainable strategies like reducing hours to carve out dedicated time for creative tasks. By valuing leisure time and setting concrete goals, you signal a commitment to your passion.
Sharing your work with the world can provide added motivation. Committing to showcasing your work holds you accountable and fosters a sense of urgency in your creative process.
Want to know more about productivity read Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdal