Slow Productivity

In my secondary school years, I thought productivity meant being busy.

So naturally, once school finished, I felt completely structureless and unproductive.

That was before I picked up one of Cal Newport's best books: Slow Productivity.

This book taught me that adding more tasks doesn't increase output — it usually just dilutes where your energy is being directed.

Newport's three principles — do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality — completely changed how I think about productivity.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is Newport's criticism of the "pseudo-productivity" that became normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the endless cycle of Zoom meetings and constant digital busyness.

Instead of rewarding visible busyness, Slow Productivity argues for creating mental space, protecting your attention, and focusing deeply on meaningful work.