I’ve been diving into Cal Newport’s new book “Slow Productivity,” and it has me obsessing about redesigning my life.
Newport’s ideas excite me by resonating with different aspects of my personality.
Famous for teaching folks how to create a meaningful, deep life, this book speaks to the analytical Virgo in me that craves structure and order. But also to my Sagittarius moon, that demands flexibility, spontaneity, and adventure.
I realize how important it is to honor all the parts of ourselves – the structured and the free-spirited.
It makes for a much more fulfilling and balanced life.
This is when magic happens.
I believe we’re in the midst of a major paradigm shift!
A cosmic realignment.
Change is in the air.
Pluto is pushing us towards transformation; Aquarius is shaking things up, and Uranus, the cosmic rebel, continues to stir the pot.
As the planets continue to shift through their signs, so do we.
The era of extreme multitasking and overloading ourselves is on its way out…
One of the silver linings of the 2020 lockdowns was the realization that maybe we’ve been doing this whole work-life balance thing all wrong.
The hustle mentality isn’t just stressful – it’s dangerous for our health.
In Slow Productivity, Newport argues that busyness doesn’t equal high productivity. It’s an outdated belief from the Industrial Revolution and unsuited for today’s knowledge-based work culture.
He believes this constant “pseudo-productivity” mindset is counterproductive to make progress on meaningful goals.
Newport challenges the typical fast-paced work culture. Instead, he suggests we do less, but with more focus at a natural pace. This approach aims for higher quality work, drawing inspiration from writers, artists, and scientists – people who’ve long balanced productivity with deep thinking.
This book hammers home the importance of deep work – those uninterrupted chunks of time where we can dive into complex tasks.
But it’s not just about work. It’s about creating a lifestyle that allows for meaningful engagement in all areas of life.
Quality sleep, exercise, social time, and plenty of playtime to satisfy that creative inner child that wants to have fun!
A Fresh Start
Inspired to start my life redesign, I’m kicking off a 90-day challenge on October 1st to help me establish a couple of new habits.
Back in 2019, I joined the #LAST90DAY movement, created by Rachel Hollis, blogger and life coach. Her “5 to Thrive” challenge, which encouraged her followers to adopt five daily habits, resonated with me.
Her pitch made sense: “21 days to create a habit, 90 days to change your life. What if you committed to living your last 90 days of the year as hard as you are committing to living the first 30 days of the new year?”
The final months of the year can be a whirlwind of holidays, parties, and activities from Halloween to New Year’s. While fun, this non-stop activity often leaves us exhausted. Even good things, when overdone, can leave us feeling drained.
What if we flipped the script? Instead of a downhill slide into 2025, we ramp it up and end the year on an upswing.
This challenge is about building rock-solid habits when it matters most – during the busy season when our good intentions often crumble. It’s time to break the cycle.
My 2019 challenge transformed my daily life in ways I never expected.
At first, it was tough. I forced myself to wake up an hour earlier, even placing my phone in another room to avoid the temptation of staying in bed.
But the effort paid off. I used this quiet time to journal, meditate, and focus on my goals. My days became less rushed, and I felt centered and grounded – a feeling that lasted all day.
Self-Honesty
As I sketch out my life redesign, I need to face hard truths:
- Am I productive, or just constantly busy?
- Am I nourishing my body and mind, or running on caffeine and stress?
- Does my daily routine align with my deepest values and dreams?
I’ve realized that being on autopilot might keep me busy, but it’s not taking me where I want to go. And I can’t ignore the risk of burnout – it doesn’t discriminate based on age or good intentions.
Finding balance is everything.
The Future of Work and Life
As more people ditch the corporate grind for freelancing and direct client work, this slow productivity way of life will become more and more appealing.
It’s about working smarter, not harder.
It’s about creating space for deep, meaningful work while also honoring our need for rest, play, and connection.
So, here’s my challenge to you (and to myself): Let’s embrace this slow productivity lifestyle.
Let’s be honest about our habits, kind to ourselves, and open to redesigning our lives for the better.
Remember, it’s all about the journey.
Here’s to creating a life that honors all parts of ourselves – the structured and the spontaneous, the deep worker and the playful adventurer.
Let’s do this!
….. until next time many many sweet blessings.