Embracing Slow Productivity.

In a world where hustle culture reigns supreme and productivity is often measured by how much we can cram into our schedules, the idea of "slow productivity" might sound counterintuitive. I know for me, when I was younger I certainly felt, and often still fall into the trap of feeling like unless I am being ‘dollar productive’ a term business owners would be familiar with,  or if I don’t have a long list of things to-do that I am not using my time well.

But what if I told you that slowing down and having less to do could actually lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life? If fulfilling and meaningful is not motivating for you, what if I told you that slowing down and having less to do will make you more productive, do better quality work and help you get things done in a more efficient way. I thought that might get you! 

In a recent episode on my podcast “Distracted” Slow Productivity. The New Pace of Living, I explore the concept of Slow Productivity. It is the concept explained and detailed by Author Cal Newport in his latest book of the same title. Slow Productivity.

At the heart of slow productivity are a few simple yet powerful principles. I encourage you to listen to the episode. Slow Productivity is about doing fewer things, but doing them well. It's about working at a natural pace rather than succumbing to the pressure to constant hustle. And perhaps most importantly, it's about obsessing over quality rather than quantity. These 3 elements of slow productivity act as the foundations for practices that lead to more meaning, accomplishment without burnout and results.

A term often quoted is that “time is the most precious resource we have." However I see people who waste time scrolling on social media, trying to do more tasks than time allows and saying yes when they need to say no. 

In a world where it often feels like time is slipping through our fingers, intentional living becomes paramount. It's about consciously choosing how we spend our time and energy, focusing on what truly brings us joy and fulfillment.

Central to the concept of slow productivity is the idea of deep work. This involves dedicating focused time and attention to a single task or project, allowing us to tap into a state of flow where our best work is produced. It's a stark contrast to the constant multitasking and distractions that have become all too common in today's hyper-connected world. “Deep Work”  was also a book written by Cal Newport and is another book worth reading. Doing deep work rather than scattered work where attention is split and quality is sacrificed over quantity, adopting deep work and focused work practices for me has seen better use of time and more quality work. 

But how can we incorporate slow productivity into our daily lives? Whether it's setting aside dedicated time for deep work, practicing mindfulness in our everyday activities, or being aware of what is needed are great starts to being more intention with how we use our time and embracing slow rather than overwhelming productivity. 

If you want to know , head on over to Episode 62 and listen for more ways to embrace slow. In my Book Switch Off, I also explore the concept of slowing down and embracing a more considered and intentional approach to the myriad of things we need to do in our lives. This was written in 2017 and it appears more work needs to be done in educating and embracing slow in our lives. If not for better quality of work, for better physical and mental health and better quality in the work we do and for better meaning in the work we create.