The Unhurried Path: The 6 principles of slow productivity
Can taking it easy boost focus, enhance productivity, and transform your approach to work & life?
Written by Urszula Gajko
Embracing the Slow Lane
It seems like we’re always racing against the clock, always checking our phones, jumping from one task to another, and trying to do as much as we can, as fast as we can.?
Yes, it’s true that these days, it's easy to get caught up in being busy all the time, because, the reality is, we live in an era where technology is omnipresent and our smartphones have become an extra limb, and it's easy to succumb to the relentless grind of "busyness."?
The magnetic pull of all these notifications and the hypnotic allure of endless scrolling can make it feel like we're covering ground, but are we genuinely productive? Are we genuinely present? Or are we merely lost in the white noise of the digital ether?
The truth is, we're not as productive as we think we are. In fact, research has shown that multitasking actually makes us less efficient and more prone to make errors. It also makes us feel more stressed out, which can lead to burnout and other health problems. That’s right! A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance indicates that multitasking diminishes efficiency due to the added time required for the brain to transition between different tasks. This means it takes us MORE time to finish the multitude of tasks on our plate, than it would when we worked on one task at a time.?
However, what if we told you there's a different approach that's all about taking things slower and focusing on what really matters.
'Slow productivity' is a concept that challenges the traditional notion of relentless productivity and constant busyness. It encourages us to take a more mindful, intentional, and sustainable approach to work and life.?
Here are some key aspects of slow productivity:?
1. Quality over quantity: Instead of focusing on churning out as many tasks as possible, slow productivity emphasizes doing fewer things, but doing them well. It's about producing high-quality work that truly matters rather than just ticking off boxes.
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2. Deep work: Slow productivity advocates for longer periods of deep, focused work without constant distractions or task-switching. It recognizes that true creativity and problem-solving often require uninterrupted concentration.
3. Mindfulness: A core principle of slow productivity is being present and mindful in whatever you're doing. It encourages you to savor the process, pay attention to details, and find joy in your work rather than rushing through it mindlessly.
4. Sustainable pace: Rather than pushing yourself to the point of burnout, slow productivity encourages you to work at a sustainable pace that respects your physical and mental well-being. It's about finding a rhythm that allows for rest, recovery, and rejuvenation.
5. Intentionality: Slow productivity involves being intentional about how you spend your time and energy. It means carefully choosing your priorities, saying no to non-essential tasks, and focusing on what truly matters to you.
6. Simplicity: The slow productivity approach often involves simplifying your life, decluttering your environment, (especially your digital environment) and eliminating unnecessary distractions and commitments which drain your energy and attention.
Making Slow Productivity Work for You
The ultimate goal of slow productivity is to create a more balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful way of working and living. It challenges the cult of busyness and encourages us to prioritize our well-being, creativity, and the quality of our work over the relentless pursuit of productivity for productivity's sake.
Slow productivity is not about doing less, but about doing more of what matters. It’s also about finding the right balance between work and life, and creating space for yourself to think, reflect, and recharge.
At Mudita, we support the idea of slowing down and being more mindful, especially when it comes to technology. That’s why we create mindful tech products, like our phones, Mudita Kompakt & Mudita Pure, as well as our mindful alarm clocks, Mudita Bell and Mudita Harmony, to help you use technology in a way that improves your life instead of distracting you.
We don’t think slow productivity is just a trendy buzzword. We believe it's a more sustainable way to approach work and life.? It challenges us to rethink what it means to be productive and successful, showing us that sometimes, slowing down is the best way to move forward.