Thanks, Cal. Definitely appreciate the reminder about busyness and contact shifting. Even with projects you wanna be working on, appreciating that in the constant context, switching there’s a cost associated with it.
I appreciate and that some jobs, part of the job is more reactive and you don’t have the luxury of crafting your complete environment. But being aware of the concepts you propose at least allows a review on what’s important and is there something that can be done in certain areas that make a big difference.
Thank you for this valuable information. I'd like to return the favor.
In my humble opinion, the best information on productivity in any process, including knowledge work, is The Leader's Handbook (1998) by Peter R. Scholtes. A lot has changed in the last 27 years, but Homo sapiens are still Homo sapiens.
This summary of Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity really hits home. In a world obsessed with hustle and multitasking, the idea of deliberately slowing down to focus deeply and work at a natural pace is such a refreshing—and necessary—reminder.
Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired — it corrodes your sense of purpose and connection. I left my career as an Art & Design lecturer. It broke my heart. At a time when I felt most capable of inspiring the next generation, I was ground down by relentless demands: ever-growing admin loads, soul-crushing meetings, and constant micromanagement. There was barely any space left to prepare meaningful lessons or build genuine relationships with students. Burnout didn’t just lower productivity — it wrecked my well-being, strained my social life, and robbed me of a role I loved.
Consistency and patience go much further than racing to hit that arbitrary number goal each day, each week, each month, each quarter.
Thanks, Cal. Definitely appreciate the reminder about busyness and contact shifting. Even with projects you wanna be working on, appreciating that in the constant context, switching there’s a cost associated with it.
I appreciate and that some jobs, part of the job is more reactive and you don’t have the luxury of crafting your complete environment. But being aware of the concepts you propose at least allows a review on what’s important and is there something that can be done in certain areas that make a big difference.
Thanks,
Beth
Thank you for this valuable information. I'd like to return the favor.
In my humble opinion, the best information on productivity in any process, including knowledge work, is The Leader's Handbook (1998) by Peter R. Scholtes. A lot has changed in the last 27 years, but Homo sapiens are still Homo sapiens.
good to see this here ♡
This summary of Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity really hits home. In a world obsessed with hustle and multitasking, the idea of deliberately slowing down to focus deeply and work at a natural pace is such a refreshing—and necessary—reminder.
Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired — it corrodes your sense of purpose and connection. I left my career as an Art & Design lecturer. It broke my heart. At a time when I felt most capable of inspiring the next generation, I was ground down by relentless demands: ever-growing admin loads, soul-crushing meetings, and constant micromanagement. There was barely any space left to prepare meaningful lessons or build genuine relationships with students. Burnout didn’t just lower productivity — it wrecked my well-being, strained my social life, and robbed me of a role I loved.
"...performing this busy-ness." Nail it. 🎯
This is what our culture does.
What we are expected to do in order to 'get by' at work.
It's bizarre. Arbitrary. And somehow, necessary. And now? Sadly habitual
I hope we (can) change.