Slow Productivity

The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

By: Cal Newport

Narrated by: Cal Newport

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and IndieBound bestseller

"Brilliant and timely"—Oliver Burkeman

~ Do Fewer Things. Work at a Natural Pace. Obsess over Quality. ~

From the New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work, a groundbreaking philosophy for pursuing meaningful accomplishment while avoiding overload

Our current definition of “productivity” is broken. It pushes us to treat busyness as a proxy for useful effort, leading to impossibly lengthy task lists and ceaseless meetings. We’re overwhelmed by all we have to do and on the edge of burnout, left to decide between giving into soul-sapping hustle culture or rejecting ambition altogether. But are these really our only choices?

Long before the arrival of pinging inboxes and clogged schedules, history’s most creative and impactful philosophers, scientists, artists, and writers mastered the art of producing valuable work with staying power. In this timely and provocative book, Cal Newport harnesses the wisdom of these traditional knowledge workers to radically transform our modern jobs. Drawing from deep research on the habits and mindsets of a varied cast of storied thinkers–from Galileo and Isaac Newton, to Jane Austen and Georgia O’Keefe–Newport lays out the key principles of “slow productivity,” a more sustainable alternative to the aimless overwhelm that defines our current moment. Combining cultural criticism with systematic pragmatism, Newport deconstructs the absurdities inherent in standard notions of productivity, and then provides step-by-step advice for cultivating a slower, more humane alternative.

From the aggressive rethinking of workload management, to introducing seasonal variation, to shifting your performance toward long-term quality, Slow Productivity provides a roadmap for escaping overload and arriving instead at a more timeless approach to pursuing meaningful accomplishment. The world of work is due for a new revolution. Slow productivity is exactly what we need.

©2024 Cal Newport (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Intriguing and intelligent."
The Times

"[Cal's] ideas are not of the self-optimising wake-up-before-you-go-to-bed life-hack brigade but rather to encourage deep focus, away from the noise of social media and performative busyness." Financial Times

"This brilliant and timely book is for all of us who've grown disillusioned with conventional productivity advice, yet still yearn to get meaningful things done. With his trademark blend of philosophical depth and realistic techniques, Newport outlines an approach that's more human and vastly more effective in the long run." Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks

Cal Newport always has powerful Novel ideas

There is a short list of books that challenge my deeply held beliefs, this is one of them. I don't like the idea of the principles, but then I realize how right Cal Newport is. I am very grateful for this book.

Cal Needs Narration Training

I really wanted to love this after hearing Cal on the Sam Harris podcast. The topic is intriguing. But- Cal sounds like a middle schooler struggling to slowly and precisely read a text book. It’s so robotic my ears are bleeding. Every “a” and syllable are painfully articulated phonetically- not as spoken, normal, conversational dialogue. It’s tough and distracting.

Great Advice for a Shifting Era

I felt this book started out slow but eventually I found myself really taking value from some of the suggestions Cal offers on how to pursue quality in your work and reach your goals, not by an unsustainable hustle but by going at a natural pace and keeping the focus on quality.

The call to slow down!

The call to slow down! The permission it gives to do one thing at a time and do with excellence. As an entrepreneur/ creative who juggles this was received with gusto!

Time to Slow Down

I’ve worked in several roles that required intense periods of dedicated work. Most recently as an Elections executive for a county government. This led to burnout, mainly because there were no slow periods for two straight years. I quit this job and happily took a pay cut to increase the quality of my life.

Leading up to this decision, which happened immediately after a recall election in 2021, I started embraced the advice from Cal Newport which transformed my career. With my role following, I started slowing down and focusing on quality. I scheduled deep work sessions as much as I could. This led to more opportunities and promotions than I ever imagined.

I’m excited to embrace some of the strategies in Slow Productivity to further enhance my quality of life and the work I produce. For anyone stressed out over work, read Slow Productivity and give these steps a try.

Cal does it again!

Love all of Cal’s work and Slow Productivity is no different. A great blend of storytelling and prescription for avoiding burnout by slowing down and focusing on what really matters.

YES. SO VERY NEEDED.

Frantic busyness just isn’t working. Here’s a measured, rational approach to productivity without selling your soul in the process.

Nice and motivational

The author tells a clear view of his proposal to slow productivity to have a better life and explains with examples.

Professional Engineer Turned Ph.D.

Once again Cal Newport has produced a book that has given me more skills, strategies and habits to be successful. I started listening to Deep Work, How to Be a Straight A Student and So Good They Can't Ignore You. Like his other work this book has helped a professional engineer excel as an older Ph.D. student. I highly recommend for any knowledge worker.

There is another way!

Excellent piece of work from one of the most influential writers of my generation. I’ve used these principles in my own life and recommend other readers to do the same.