Our current definition of ‘productivity’ is broken. It pushes us to treat busyness as a proxy for useful effort, leading to impossibly lengthy task lists and ceaseless meetings. We're overwhelmed by all we have to do and on the edge of burnout, left to decide between giving in to soul-sapping hustle culture or rejecting ambition altogether. But are these really our only choices?

Long before the arrival of pinging inboxes and clogged schedules, history's most creative and impactful philosophers, scientists, artists and writers mastered the art of producing valuable work with staying power. In this timely and provocative book, Cal Newport harnesses the wisdom of these traditional knowledge workers to radically transform our modern lives. Drawing from deep research on the habits and mindsets of a varied cast of storied thinkers—from Galileo and Isaac Newton to Jane Austin and George O'Keeffe—Newport lays out the key principles of ‘slow productivity’, providing a more sustainable alternative to the aimless overwhelm that defines our current moment:

Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality.

From the aggressive rethinking of workload management to intoducing seasonal variation, to shifting your performance toward long-term quality, Slow Productivity provides a roadmap for escaping overload and arriving instead at a more timeless approach to pursuing meaningful accomplishment. The world of work is due for a new revolution. Slow productivity is exactly what we need.

*This synopsis has been transcribed from the back cover of the book, Slow Productivity.

Nonfiction. Personal Development. Productivity. Business. Psychology. Health. Philosophy. Mindset. Leadership. Time management. Entrepreneurship. Workplace culture.

What prevalent themes did you identify in the book?

How would you describe the author’s tone of voice or writing style?

Can you name three feelings this book conjured in you?

What parts of the book triggered discomfort in you?

What parts of the book inspired or motivated you?

Was there a passage that deeply resonated with you? If so, what was it, and why?

Would you recommend this book to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

How did you feel upon finishing the book?

What overarching sentiment were you left with upon finishing the book?

What insights did this book offer that you can apply to your life and personal growth?

How would you describe this book in just a sentence?

*You can download these questions as a print-friendly PDF here.

Slow Productivity is currently available as an audiobook on Audible (6hr 18min listen) and is narrated by its author, Cal Newport. It can also be purchased as a paper back at major retailers, such as Booktopia and Dymocks, and is even available for $24 at Big W.