In 'When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing', Daniel H. Pink draws on extensive research from psychology, biology, and economics to show that timing is not an art but a science. The book explores how to use the hidden patterns of the day to build ideal schedules, why certain breaks improve student test scores, how to turn a poor start into a fresh beginning, and the optimal times for various life decisions such as quitting a job, switching careers, or getting married. Pink synthesizes this research into a readable narrative with practical takeaways and stories, offering readers compelling insights into how to live richer, more engaged lives.
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill. These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'. Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
This book, written by Dr. Rick Hanson and his son Forrest Hanson, focuses on developing inner strengths such as grit, gratitude, and compassion to enhance resilience. It draws on neuroscience, mindfulness, and positive psychology to provide concrete suggestions, experiential practices, and personal examples. The book helps readers overcome the brain's negativity bias, release painful thoughts and feelings, and replace them with self-compassion, self-worth, joy, and inner peace. It also includes effective ways to interact with others and repair and deepen important relationships, all grounded in the science of positive neuroplasticity[2][5][6].
Eeeep hello friends, welcome back to the ninth episode of ✨ Finding your Casual Magic ✨
Today we're talking about slow productivity. How to be a high functioning, productive powerhouse of a human who gets everything done, but also lives with slowness and ease and most importantly, joy.
There is nothing more frustrating than being told to just relax and be happy when you have a million things to do on your plate. So I'm not going to do that today, instead I am here to acknowledge that we are all busy people with a lot to do.
So what is slow productivity? Slow productivity is not about doing less, nor sacrificing the quality of your work or the speed with which it's done. It’s a mindset and a set of tools to work in a more intentional, mindful way that allows space for true rest and reflection. Because what you'll find as we dig into this episode is that the more we rest and the more that we slow down, the better we learn and digest information, the more creative we are and the better that our overall quality of work is.
I just want to send you this reminder that no matter where you are in your self confidence journey, no matter how you might feel today, you are always enough. 💛
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:27 Guided meditation
04:48 The rise of burnout and hustle culture
10:06 Personal reflections on productivity and success
14:42 Rebuilding a mindful approach to productivity
18:28 Personal and cultural incentives to overwork
22:59 The relationship between money and happiness
24:44 Personal turning point post-university
27:40 Realisations from silent meditation
31:15 Introduction to mindful productivity
31:31 Importance of understanding your menstrual cycle
34:14 Embracing seasonality in productivity
35:12 Practical advice for mindful productivity
39:08 The art of saying no
44:02 Time blocking and scheduling breaks
46:32 Mindset for Slow Productivity
48:02 Handling Stress and Maintaining Productivity
49:05 Nostalgia and Applying it to the Present
52:00 Managing Expectations and Self-Worth
54:07 Defining What is Enough
55:00 Acknowledging Stress and Finding Relief
56:22 Casual Magic of the week
59:05 Weekly Reflection and Setting Intentions
Links:
Slowing Down as the World Speeds Up: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gift-aging/201812/slowing-down-the-world-speeds
Employee Burnout Report: https://www.indeed.com/lead/preventing-employee-burnout-report
Overwork and the rise of slow productivity: https://www.deccanherald.com/education/overwork-and-the-rise-of-slow-productivity-1204058.html
16 Employee Burnout Statistics You Can’t Ignore: https://everyonesocial.com/blog/employee-burnout-statistics/
‘Rest is productive’: How slowing down at work can help you get more done: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/06/how-slowing-down-at-work-can-help-you-get-more-done.html
Why Downtime Is Essential for Brain Health: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-downtime-is-essential-for-brain-health
The Paradox of Pace: How Taking It Slow Enhances Productivity: https://akiflow.com/blog/slowing-down-can-speed-up-productivity/
Problems of Practice: https://practices.learningaccelerator.org/problem-of-practice/how-fast-should-we-be-moving-from-pilot-to-scale-what-will-help-us-best-achieve-sustainability
If you’d like to be featured as the Casual Magic of the week:
💌 Notice a moment of casual magic in your week. What was something beautiful in your daily life? A special moment or reflection?
💌 DM us a ~60 second voice message or video to @casualmagicpodcast on instagram or email it to findingyourcasualmagic@gmail.com — feel free to include any pictures of your casual magic if you have any!!
💌 Start the voicenote by introducing yourself and where you’re from!!
💌 Tell us in your DM / email if you want to be tagged if chosen.
💌 We’ll pick one a week to share in the podcast and on here so we can all participate in your joy!!
CONTACT ME
Business Enquiries: unjadedjade@sixteenth.com
Instagram - @unjadedjade
TikTok: @unjadedjade
This is Finding Your Casual Magic with UnJaded Jade
Produced by The Podcast Guys
Theme music by Francesca Lu
For more Finding Your Casual Magic, go to
@casualmagicpodcast on Instagram!!
Finding Your Casual Magic 
