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Slow Productivity

The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

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Slow Productivity

By: Cal Newport
Narrated by: Cal Newport
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

From the New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and one of the world's top productivity experts, a groundbreaking philosophy for creating great work at a sustainable pace.


Hustle culture. Burnout. Quiet quitting. Today we're either sacrificing ourselves on the altar of success or we're rejecting the idea of ambition entirely. But it doesn't have to be all or nothing. There is a way to create meaningful work as part of a balanced life, and it's called 'slow productivity'.

Coined by Cal Newport, the bestselling author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism, slow productivity is a revolutionary philosophy based on three simple principles:
1. Do fewer things.
2. Work at a natural pace.
3. Obsess over quality.

Examining the stories and habits of ancient and modern scientists, philosophers, artists and scholars who worked in this way, Newport reveals just how transformative the slow productivity approach can be to producing a meaningful body of work.

From managing your energy according to the season, to identifying which projects to pursue and which to set aside, to building a schedule that yields maximum output with minimum stress, this timely and essential book will revolutionise how you work, helping you to accomplish great things at a more humane pace.

'Brilliant and timely' - Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks

©2024 Cal Newport (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Business Development & Entrepreneurship Career Success Decision-Making & Problem Solving Entrepreneurship Mental Health Awareness Personal Development Personal Success Writing & Publishing Inspiring Business

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Critic reviews

[Newport is] a sage of the post-pandemic workplace
Cal Newport's call to arms against pseudo-productivity is a must read
If you breathlessly ricochet from task to task yet never get enough real work done. Stop. Take a deep breath. Then read Slow Productivity
This brilliant and timely book is for all of us who've grown disillusioned with conventional productivity advice, yet still yearn to get plenty of meaningful things done. With his trademark blend of philosophical depth and realistic, implementable techniques, Newport outlines an approach that's both more human and vastly more effective in the long run.
Here is a book with not one but three powerful ideas about how to live a deeper, less frenetic life while achieving more of what matters. I would say that I couldn't put it down - except that I was constantly putting it down to scribble notes to myself. Cal Newport has made me think - and made me change.
Calm, evidence-based and inspiring. For anyone who wants individual advice on how to be more productive, there’s nobody better than Cal Newport.
This book is an absolute banger. I took away so many insights that I've already started to apply in my work and my life. Cal's mix of storytelling and practical advice makes this a super engaging read that you'll want to revisit repeatedly.
If you are stretched thin and having trouble getting everything done, you need to speed up, right? Wrong. In Slow Productivity, Cal Newport does what he does best, delivering the counterintuitive secrets that just might save your career and sanity.
Cal Newport is one of today’s most thoughtful observers of how we live and work. With profound insights backed by research, analysis, and examples from the lives of scientists, artists, and others, he explores a better way to work—one that promises more calm, clarity, and creativity.
In Slow Productivity, Cal Newport effectively charts the birth and growth of productivity culture, and explains how it led to the removal deep focus, and deliberate care in our work. His book is an opportunity to understand why we so often feel frustrated with the demands of the world we live in—and what we can accomplish if we choose to turn inward, once again.
All stars
Most relevant
Too much reliance on anecdotes rather than evidence, Though anecdotes are persuasive! Strong concepts especially about obsession with quality

Good ideas but are they right?

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Too many people are suffering under the stress of work, information overload and can’t seem to break out of the constant push for more. This book offers an alternative vision and way of work that if taken on might just save your life and mental health. Brilliant.

Perfect antidote for a busy world

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A book containing valuable and useful ideas, placed under the pretentious name of "philosophy." These ideas are really important, but they could only be expressed in an essay. But if these ideas had been expressed only in an esseay, they probably would not have spread as they have through this book. So, the author chose to prove the validity of his ideas with the help of far too many life stories (too many in my opinion) collected from the entire history of mankind.

Valuable ideas, many stories

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I can’t, and will not comment on the writing style as I’m not a writer. However, I am basing this review on something I value with regards to personal development type books like this. That is the number of takeaways that I can use to which there are some.I think previous books of his cover more useful takeaways. Nevertheless, others may find this significantly useful to their own working productivity methods.

Some useful lifestyle productivity tips

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Thought provoking. I listened to this at a time when my health is demanding more prioritisation and I need to challenge my knee-jerk workaholism. Inspiring and realistic, it has given me lots of ideas to do this.

Challenging In The Best Way

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