202: Slow Productivity

Daily Rituals: How Artists Work is a book that delves into the daily routines and working habits of more than 161 highly successful and creative individuals. The book, written by Mason Currey, provides insights into how these creatives structured their days to manage their work and personal lives. It includes profiles of famous figures such as Anthony Trollope, Karl Marx, Woody Allen, Agatha Christie, and many others, highlighting their unique routines, habits, and quirks. The book aims to show how grand creative visions are translated into small daily increments and how these routines influence the work itself. It also explores broader themes such as the balance between comfort and creativity, and the importance of forming good habits to free the mind for more interesting fields of action.

In 'The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain,' Annie Murphy Paul argues that our minds are not confined to the brain but extend into our bodies, surroundings, and social relationships. The book explores embodied, situated, and distributed cognition, providing practical advice on how to think better by utilizing 'extra-neural' resources such as bodily sensations, physical spaces, and the minds of others. Paul draws on research from neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, as well as examples from artists, scientists, and leaders who have successfully used these mental extensions to solve problems and create new works.

In this book, Cal Newport draws on the habits and mindsets of historical figures like Galileo, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and Georgia O’Keefe to propose a new approach to productivity. He argues against the modern culture of 'pseudo-productivity,' where busyness is mistaken for actual productivity. Instead, Newport advocates for 'slow productivity,' which involves doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. The book combines cultural criticism with practical advice to help readers transform their work habits and achieve more sustainable and meaningful accomplishments.

The 12 Week Year challenges the traditional annual goal-setting approach, which is often ineffective for many individuals and organizations. The book introduces a 12-week execution cycle that captures the energy and urgency of year-end goals, avoiding the pitfalls of low productivity associated with annualized thinking. It provides a step-by-step system to improve execution effectiveness, creating focus, clarity, and a sense of urgency to achieve more in a shorter period.

In 'Feel-Good Productivity,' Dr. Ali Abdaal challenges the conventional notion that productivity is about hard work and discipline. Instead, he argues that the secret to productivity is feeling good. Drawing on decades of psychological research, Abdaal introduces the three hidden 'energisers' that underpin enjoyable productivity, the three 'blockers' to overcome procrastination, and the three 'sustainers' to prevent burnout. The book includes inspiring stories from founders, Olympians, and Nobel-winning scientists and provides simple, actionable changes to make work more enjoyable and sustainable. Abdaal's approach focuses on cultivating a deeper energy for work, balancing well-being with productivity, and enjoying the journey.

In 'How to Calm Your Mind,' Chris Bailey provides a toolkit of accessible, science-backed strategies to help readers achieve calm and reduce anxiety. The book explains how the digital world contributes to stress and offers practical advice on embracing the analog world, using 'stimulation fasts,' and applying the science of 'savoring' to become more focused and present. Bailey shares his personal journey of recovering from burnout and offers concrete steps to help readers reclaim calm, leading to greater productivity, engagement, and satisfaction in life.