Slow Productivity

Sometimes a book comes along with exactly what you need when you need it. This one helped me reflect to on my own mindset about productivity and make adjustments to be happier and healthier.

The main premise of the book is stated early (on page 8):

A philosophy for organizing knowledge work efforts in a sustainable and meaningful manner based on the following three principles.

1. Do fewer things.
2. Work at a natural pace.
3. Obsess over quality.

So incredibly timely, and as always, engaging and well-written. He outlines how we went from living and working seasonally, to nonstop work, to knowledge work, which encourages giving an impression of busyness to make the managers happy and, combined with always-on tech, means we’re caught in the trap of pseudo-productivity. The majority of the book is spent outlining practical ways to escape this trap. If you work in front of a screen, this book is for you.

I listen to the Deep Life podcast every week, so I had been waiting for this book for long (I even requested it for my local library here in Taipei). I feel grateful for all the advice Cal and his co-host constantly share, as it has helped me to be more successful in my PhD and job, without compromising my life (and sleep!) quality. Yet, this book is just a dumbed-down regurgitation of what the podcast has been covering for years. I am not stating that it is all bad, but that it's nothing new, which was also the problem with his previous book “A world without email”.
I think Cal's advice is immensely valuable, but I'd recommend his podcast or “Deep Work” instead of this book.

Quick read, not groundbreaking, a bit repetitive. That said, as usual, Cal Newport has a very refreshing and empowering perspective / timely reminder: take the time to actually focus on important tasks of high quality and avoid the frenzy of trying look busy. You will get more done and feel better along the way.

I'm a fan of Cal's work. His books Digital Minimalism and Deep Work pushed me toward making changes that have positively changed my life, at work and at home. I listen to his Deep Questions podcast and it is also great. But I can't help but think that this book is a repackaging of his podcast. It also doesn't feel as deep and well-worth the time as his other books. It was really short, it didn't go super deep into the topic like he has done in previous books, and it could have been a blog post. One of the pivotal stories in this book about the singer/songwriter Jewel was completely spoiled for me on his podcast MONTHS before I read the book.

Unless you find it on sale, skip it.

Listen to his podcast.