Do Fewer Things
In the industrial age, productivity metrics were easily definable as the increased output of manufactured goods.
In knowledge work, there is a lack of clear metrics for productivity and false measures are often used as a substitute.
Pseudo-productivity:
Examples:Pseudo-productivity
the use of visible activity as the primary means of approximating actual productive effort
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- spending long hours at work
- replying to many emails
- attending a lot of meetings
Reduce your obligations:
reduce your obligations
Reduce your obligations to the point where you can easily imagine accomplishing them with time to spare.
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The main argument of this section is to radically limit the amount of WIP (work in progress).
- 2 -3 thinking heavy projects at a time.
- 1 maintenance track.
- switch to a pull-based workflow.
- starting is easy, finishing is rare.
- use a backlog for everything else.
Work at a Natural Pace
Slow-pace, relentless dedication.
Set deep work sessions over deadlines. Love the work.
Abandon artificial urgency.
- Deadlines are often arbitrary.
- Constant urgency destroys depth and quality.
You need seasons of intensity and seasons of recovery.
Think:
- Deep work phase
- Admin / shallow phase
- Rest phase