I just finished a book that really struck a chord. So often, I have such high hopes for a book, but it just doesn’t quite scratch the itch.
However, Slow Productivity, from Cal Newport, did.
Cal was also on The Huberman Lab podcast talking about it. A long, fascinating, illuminating conversation.
What I heard him say: We, as the ‘knowledge worker’, have settled for ‘pseudo productivity’ as the proxy for actual productivity. Why? Because there isn’t a way to measure the productivity of a knowledge worker, companies and organizations will simply use the ‘if you’re in the office for 40 hours a week, you must be getting things done’ rule.
I’m against that rule.
I’ve stated previously how the silver lining of Covid was the gift of working remotely. My mind, body, and soul had never felt better.
Instead, clearly define what needs to be done. Do it. Measure that.
This idea of ‘pseudo productivity’ reminds me of the bumper sticker: “Jesus is coming back. Quick, look busy.” There it is. The state of how we are supposed to spend 2,080 hours (at work) a year in two words: look busy.
Thanks for joining me on the journey!
Scott