Ever felt like you’re running at full speed but getting nowhere? Welcome to the club of pseudo-productivity (which, ironically enough, I am trying to leave)— a club I didn’t even realize I was a member of until diving into Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity.
What’s Pseudo-Productivity, Anyway?
It’s those seemingly urgent tasks — like incessant email checking, meticulous file organizing, or sitting through meetings that could’ve been emails. Sound familiar? They’re activities that look productive but, in reality, steer you away from meaningful progress.
The Journey to Meaningful and “Slow Productivity”
Let’s talk about transitioning from a state of constant hustle to achieving more by actually doing less. It’s about making each action count, focusing on what truly moves the needle. Slow productivity is based on three simple ideas: Do fewer things; Work at a natural pace; Obsess over quality.
Redefine your work ethic, by doing less
Imagine your workday not as a task-filled marathon but as a focused sprint toward what matters.Before embracing the principles of Slow Productivity, my workday was a marathon of tasks, often leaving me exhausted and unfulfilled.
Cal Newport suggests “Do fewer things” as a guiding principle. It’s about choosing tasks that align with your core goals and saying no to the rest. This approach might require setting boundaries and tackling the fear of missing out, but the clarity and fulfillment you’ll gain are worth it.
This shift took work. It required me to say no, to set boundaries, and to confront the fear of missing out on the endless opportunities buzzing through the digital ether.
Yet, the clarity and depth of work I achieved in return were unparalleled.
Here are some personal strategies and adjustments I’ve made on my journey to slow productivity that you might find beneficial:
- Embrace the Rule of Three: Focus on three main priorities each quarter and constantly reassess your tasks to stay agile. Regular check-ins — daily, weekly, and monthly — keep these priorities in sight and manageable.
- Sacred Meeting-Free Days: Designate Mondays and Fridays for undisturbed deep work, a tip I owe to Cal Newport. These blocks of time have become my most productive and creative periods.
- Outcome-Driven Meetings: Shift the focus of meetings to what you aim to achieve, making the meeting’s purpose clear from the outset. It streamlines discussions and drives actionable results.
- Digital Minimalism Practice: Reducing digital clutter by eliminating unnecessary social media apps has dramatically decreased distractions, allowing for a deeper focus.
- Flexible Scheduling: Use your calendar as a tool, not a taskmaster. Staying adaptable allows for the ebb and flow of productivity.
- Bullet Journaling: Incorporating a Bullet Journal (BuJo) has organized my days in a visually appealing and highly effective manner.
Embrace your natural rhythm
The idea of aligning work with your internal clock, rather than the clock on the wall, might seem odd at first. Yet, listening to when you’re most alert and creative can transform not just how much you accomplish but the quality of your work. This alignment fosters sustainability in your efforts and sparks creativity.
The idea of working at a “natural pace” was foreign to me.
Slowing down felt counterintuitive in a world where speed is equated with efficiency.
But to be honest, Newport’s insights on the importance of rhythm in productivity struck a chord.
I began to listen to my body and mind, scheduling tasks when I was most alert and creative, and allowing for rest when needed.
This alignment with my internal clock led to not only more sustainable work habits but also to a significant boost in creativity and problem-solving abilities.
More importantly, I am more present.
Obsess Over Quality
Lastly, let’s talk about quality. In the fast-paced digital world, quantity often overshadows everything. Focusing on fewer projects but diving deep into each allows for a level of craftsmanship and satisfaction that mere quantity can’t match.
Newport’s third principle, “Obsess over quality,” has fundamentally changed my output.
(Here’s an interesting short that summarises this concept from Newport himself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5PQ7aeovv0)
Quality often takes a backseat in the race to do more — especially with the fast-emerging nature of technology and knowledge.
Newport challenged me to invert this logic, placing quality at the forefront of everything I do.
This meant dedicating more time to fewer projects, diving deep into the nuances of my work, and polishing every detail.
The results? I’m genuinely proud of my work, projects that resonate more deeply with my audience, and a sense of accomplishment that quantity could never provide.
The Takeaway
On your journey away from the mirage of pseudo-productivity, remember: it’s not merely about reducing your to-do list — it’s about ensuring every task has value. True productivity is meaningful, sustainable, and ultimately fulfilling.
And if there’s one piece of wisdom to carry forward, it’s this: sometimes, the fastest way forward is to take a moment, breathe, and slow down. :)
Thank you for sharing this moment with me,
Jerwin Parker
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Where to next?
Newport has written about the increasingly exposed state of our attention in Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and A World Without Email — I highly recommend reading these if this interests you.
If you want to listen more about this concept; my previous podcast episode last year speaks about being “busy vs being productive” — funnily enough, I didn’t mention pseudo-productivity here, but perhaps I’ll make an episode expanding on this read soon: https://open.spotify.com/episode/056AZmxOqHB0Y9UwlryrZB?si=e8600c8abdd04609