Try “slow Productivity” to Improve the Quality of Your Work (and Prevent Burnout)
My posts about productivity techniques and methods tend to resonate with readers, which makes me happy because I’m sharing something truly useful, but a little sad because it reflects how desperate we all are to find a way to do more. more.
I’m not new to the rat race, but it still sucks to sit back and realize how stressed everyone is all the time. “Burnout” has been a cultural buzzword for a few years, but the concept isn’t new: working too hard and too fast isn’t sustainable, so while productivity techniques that advise you on how to prioritize multiple tasks in one day are helpful in the short term, they cannot last forever for everyone. Just like you, I love structured to-do lists and days where everything comes together, but in a world where work, school, personal health, family and friends place endless demands on us, it’s not always possible to get it all done. done in one morning, even with the most detailed time-limited schedule .
If you’re feeling a bit of burnout setting in or want to change your routine sooner, consider the concept of “slow productivity,” the latest guide from productivity guru Cal Newport.
What is slow performance?
Well, first of all, that’s the title of Newport’s latest book: Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Achievement Without Burnout . He’s the guy who gave us the idea of ” deep work ,” or the ability to focus completely on one task without distractions. Using this new structure, he encourages people to do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and become “obsessed” with the quality of their work. This contrasts with how a typical day goes for most of us, where we are trying to do a bunch of different things at an incredible speed, completing a large number of ready-made tasks with varying levels of quality.
Newport’s premise is that work used to be more practical, but as production has given way to “knowledge work,” we have begun to confuse busyness with productivity. The typical worker now spends his days scrolling through email and Slack messages, without necessarily creating anything or ending his shift with anything to show for his labor. Spending all day on Zoom and Slack doesn’t leave much time for work, thinking, writing, or anything else that involves deep work.
How to Use Slow Productivity During the Workday
To take advantage of low productivity, you need to rely on these three pillars: doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and keeping an eye on quality. So start slow. Creating structured schedules and to-do lists with data-driven prioritization is important—I’m not going to suggest you give it up entirely, but what if you have time in your schedule to start one day a week?
Look at your to-do list, whatever method you use to structure it. Determine the main task that needs to be completed. One day a week, at least initially, plan your schedule to work on just that task. To the best of your ability, don’t schedule any meetings (or pick a day when you don’t have any), don’t be super accessible via Slack or email, and embrace the principles of deep work and productivity. This means taking periodic breaks , working without distractions, and working toward a larger goal, which in this case is creating a quality product that will further your mission, whether it’s a personal mission like getting a promotion or an overall mission. company, such as increasing sales. Keep a record of how much you have done.
After trying this approach for a few weeks, evaluate your results. By focusing your attention on one task at a time, taking your time, and putting significant thought and care into the quality of what you do, you should end up with higher quality work that is actually more productive overall than a bunch of quick, small tasks. You can use this pattern in other areas of your life. For example, when you get home on Tuesday, it might be your night to focus only on planning meals for the next week or taking care of your kids’ chores and schedules. Perhaps Wednesday can be dedicated solely to cleaning the house or meeting with friends. Some planning is still necessary, but you avoid the accumulation of small tasks and stress, which will help prevent burnout and make the things you focus on during those time blocks more productive and meaningful.