Review: Slow Productivity
Newport continues a trajectory of thought about doing good, focused, and meaningful work that is present in his previous books: Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and A World Without Email. His intended audience are knowledge workers who have some autonomy and need creativity in order to flourish. Newport consistently argues that it is indeed possible to organize one's work life in such a way as to not be carried away by pseudo-busyness and distractions. His books put the brakes on the notion that one must always be "available" and that the fast turn around is the best response to requests. Newport helps the reader identify unproductive "distractions" and habits that inhibit good, creative work.
I hope that knowledge work managers read this book and begin to implement different management techniques for their employees. Workers who are constantly harassed with email or an endless cycle of meetings, or micro-managed, or have too many deadlines, do not do their best work.
The book begins and ends with examples from John McPhee on his writing process. McPhee gives himself permission to take the necessary time for contemplation in order to synthesize complex information into a coherent article. McPhee then organizes his material and engages in a systematic method of writing. McPhee may begin and end the book, but Newport also explores how many other people use a "slow productivity" ethic in order to develop their best work. He draws on examples from artists, scientists, musicians, writers, etc. All of the examples are illuminating.
The single best critique that Newport offers is that applying the industrial model of manufacturing and work and its managment to knowledge work is not productive. Knowledge work that requires creativity and innovation is hampered when the worker is barraged by constant distractions and forced to juggle many different tasks simultaneously. Newport argues that reducing distractions and tasks through saying "no" coupled with more effective time management and organization enables true creativity and better work. Newport offers common sense suggestions for time management and organization.
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