Try “slow productivity” to get more done at work

My posts on productivity techniques and methods often resonate with readers, which makes me happy because I'm actually contributing something helpful. At the same time, it makes me a little sad because it shows how desperate we all are for a way to get more done.

I'm no stranger to the rat race of daily life, 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 now, but the concept isn't new: Working too much, too fast, just isn't sustainable. Productivity techniques that advise you how to prioritize multiple tasks in a single day, while helpful in the short term, can't last for everyone forever. I love structured to-do lists and days when everything fits together just as much as you do, but in a world where work, school, personal well-being, family, and friends place endless demands on us, it's not always possible to get everything done in one morning, even with the most detailed, tightly timed schedule.

If you feel burnout coming on or want to change your routine beforehand, consider the concept of “slow productivity,” the latest advice from productivity guru Cal Newport.

What is slow productivity?

Well, first of all, it is the title of Newport’s latest book: Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Getting Things Done Without Burning Out. He is the one who gave us the idea of ​​”deep work,” the ability to focus completely on a single task without distraction. With this new framework, he advocates for people to do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and “obsess” about the quality of their work. This is in contrast to how a normal day goes for most of us, when we try to do a lot of different things at top speed and deliver a large amount of tasks with varying levels of quality.

Newport suggests that work used to be more manual, but as manufacturing has given way to “knowledge work,” we've increasingly confused busyness with productivity. The typical worker now spends days sorting through emails and Slack messages without necessarily getting anything done or ending a shift with something to show for their work. Spending all day on Zoom and Slack doesn't leave much time for actual work, thinking, writing, or other focused work.

How to take advantage of slow productivity during the workday

To get a handle on slow productivity, you need to rely on these three pillars: doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and focusing on quality. Start slow here. It's important to create structured schedules and data-driven, prioritized to-do lists. I'm not suggesting you give up on that altogether, but what if your schedule included time for a one-task day once a week?

Look at your to-do list, no matter what method you use to organize it. Identify one important task that needs to be completed. At least in the beginning, set aside one day a week so that you only work on that task. If possible, don't schedule meetings (or choose a day when you don't have any), don't be constantly available on Slack or email, and fall back on the principles of focused work and productivity. That means taking regular breaks, working without distractions, and working toward a larger goal—in this case, producing a quality product that advances your mission, whether that's a personal mission like a raise or a company-wide one like increasing sales. Take notes on how much you get done.

After trying this approach for a few weeks, evaluate your performance. By focusing on one task, not rushing, and giving serious attention and care to the quality of your work, you should end up producing better work that is actually more productive overall than a series of quick, smaller tasks. You can apply this concept to other areas of your life as well. For example, if you get home on Tuesday, you might just focus that evening on meal planning for the next week or managing your kids' affairs and schedules. Maybe you can dedicate Wednesday exclusively to cleaning the house or meeting up with friends. While some scheduling is still required, you'll avoid the pile-up of smaller tasks and stress, preventing burnout and making the things you focus on in those blocks of time more productive and meaningful.