Slow productivity beats busyness

Prolific author and Georgetown University professor, Cal Newport, recently reminisced on his time as a Doctoral candidate at M.I.T. 's prestigious Theory of Computation group.

Don’t worry — that went over my head, too. 🤔

Suffice to say, Cal’s a pretty smart guy.

And his newest book, Slow Productivity is a perfect example of why learning isn’t linear.

That thing they were doing right was focusing on productivity over busyness.

This is an incredibly useful skill for all of us — especially our kids.

Here’s how you can apply some “slow productivity” lessons at home. 👇

It’s never too early to start

Cal spotlights the power of deep work — an uninterrupted, focused effort on tasks that exercises our brains like a marathon exercises our bodies.

For kids, this revelation is gold. And they can start super young. 

How?

Try introducing "deep play" sessions where focus is non-negotiable. Cal advocates for "giving your mind something meaningful to do." 

Translated to kid-speak—

Set up periods where your kid engages in activities that demand their full attention, be it:

• Solving a puzzle

• Building a fort

• Painting a picture

The most important thing is to create an environment where sustained concentration is the norm — not the exception.

The anti-hustle

Cal’s “slow productivity” mantra is a counter to the “constant hustle” culture.

It's about engaging deeply with fewer tasks, and executing them with greater care and attention. 

You can simplify this for your kid by relating it to their world. For instance, mastering a video game requires focused effort over time, not rushed, fragmented attempts. 

It's the consistent, immersive engagement that leads to success.

It’s not about reducing the amount of work done — it’s about doing the right work well.

So how can your kid identify the “right work”?

Empower them to choose projects that resonate with their passions. 

❌ Don’t dictate their focus.

✅ Do guide them to discover what captures their interest.

This self-directed "deep work" helps them develop intrinsic motivation, a critical component of true productivity.

It’s a future-proof skill

Let’s face it, humans can’t compete with the busyness of robots. 🤖

But we do have the power to be more productive in ways that require creativity, nuanced perspectives, and imagination.

This is why deep work is so important for kids to embrace.

Cal suggests, "The ability to concentrate without distraction...is becoming increasingly valuable in an increasingly distracted economy."

By applying deep work to their interests, kids can:

• Stand out among their peers

• Develop resilience

• Build a killer work ethic

Applying these insights can add much-need perspective on how to best prepare kids for the challenges ahead. 

Teach ‘em to stop being being busy and start being meaningfully engaged with the world around them.