How to simplify productivity: the two-status system
I have talked about Cal Newport many times in this newsletter, as I swear by his Deep Work philosophy.
He has now published a new book "Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout".
The book is based on three principles: do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality.
I found Newport's analysis of the modern worker's challenges quite insightful: he explains that the "front office IT Revolution," despite the advancement of technology, has drastically increased the volume and diversity of tasks for knowledge workers, leading to a sense of constant busyness without productivity.
What Newport suggests to address this issue is a two-status system: "active" for tasks actively being worked on and "waiting" for tasks on hold.
That's it.
Think about what you need to work on right now (in line with your medium to long-term goals), then put everything else on hold. Make sure anyone who depends on your work knows what you are doing - so that they don't assume you forgot about the work you promised to deliver and their expectations are appropriately managed.
His theory is that such an approach reduces administrative overhead and fosters clarity about workload priorities.
For individuals, Newport suggests using tools like Trello to visually manage tasks, maintain transparency with collaborators, and prioritize effectively.
Team implementation involves a shared board or document where project ideas are listed and assigned to team members. Regular check-in meetings ensure progress and facilitate re-prioritization based on collective input.
He argues that this process will provide clarity and transparency and, by focusing on one thing at a time, also higher productivity.
Are you going to give it a try? Would that work in the work you do? Let me know!
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