This chapter explores the diverse work habits of historical figures like Georgia O'Keefe and John McPhee, challenging the idea of a structured workday for creative individuals. It emphasizes the historical evolution of work practices from forager-hunter-gatherer lifestyles to modern organizational structures, discussing the principles of slow productivity and the importance of balancing work intensity. The chapter also addresses the challenges of transitioning to remote work and reflects on the speaker's experience managing a growing podcast business while maintaining a focus on slow productivity.
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University, a productivity expert and an author.
If you’ve ever felt that you’re not as productive as you could be, you’re not alone. But what if the goal isn't to be more productive, but to let go of the goals that aren't serving you? What if the power of saying no to more things is the most important skill you can develop?
Expect to learn what our current problem with being productive is, why pseudo-productivity is a catastrophe, the advantages to what Cal calls Slow Productivity, how to better organise your communication, the best strategies for implementing a productivity schedule, how to stop saying yes all the time and much more...