Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

I read this last week, while on a misty spring break in Wales. Lots struck me and much to implement. But first his definition - or should I say manifesto?

"Slow Productivity: A philosophy for organising 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."

Simple. Clear. Obvious, but not easy to follow!

Book review

His writing style takes you through the problem and his solution with a chapter on each principle. The joy is in the stories Newport tells and the practical advice he offers, which is done lightly and not with the fervour of some of his earlier books. Plus it's a beautifully written - as a reader it’s wonderful to watch him develop as a stylist and storyteller. It makes you feel calm as you read. I made a deliberate choice to slow down and not binge it all in a day, which is how I usually read on holiday.

While I am a fan of Newport’s writing I have found him problematic in the past. He has fixed my main issue which was a blindness to privilege and he has diversified his citations in terms of gender. Over the years, I’ve heard from women writers, mostly academics like him, unable to implement his rules, feeling judged and falling short.

I love how he uses examples not as blueprints but for inspiration - take the insight and apply to your own life. Though, it’s interesting that he has more examples of writers than other knowledge works - great for me, but I wonder how others feel about this?

Other things of note:

• Doing fewer things does not mean accomplishing less - in fact to often leads to more.
• Embrace limitations - limit the number of missions, projects and daily goals.
• Take breaks, have hobbies, embrace seasonal working patterns.
• Rather than set ambitious short-term targets - double the estimated time it will take you to complete any project.
• Automate, simplify, schedule, use rituals to trigger routines.
• Learn from others but trust your instincts when it comes to quality - bet on yourself.

It's not groundbreaking, but we need to hear this again and again. He makes a compelling argument, backed up with case studies and stories. Now I am back at my desk, I need to seriously consider how I spend my time and make space for the next book that I am itching to write. Will I implement his advice?