What do Richard Feynman, Georgia O’Keefe, and The Beatles have in common?

They all embodied what Cal Newport calls “Slow Productivity“—an approach that rejects hustle culture to achieve lasting, high-quality work.

Slow Productivity is defined by three core principles:

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

Richard Feynman embraced doing less by carefully cultivating an image of aloofness, protecting his time and energy. Georgia O’Keefe exemplified working at a humane pace through seasonal rhythms—gathering inspiration in Lake George during summer, then returning to New York City in the fall to create. And The Beatles achieved groundbreaking artistry by stopping their hectic touring schedule, granting themselves 10 times more studio hours to craft “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Applying these principles to your life: prioritizing depth over speed, quality over quantity, and meaningful work over relentless productivity.

How to get started:

• Identify one commitment you can gracefully remove.
• Introduce rhythm into your workflow to sustain a humane pace.
• Dedicate deliberate, focused time blocks to refine and elevate your most important work.

Your best work deserves patience, intention, and excellence.

I found it especially insightful as a dad who wants to be present and still do great work! Check our Cal’s book for more.

Gradatim Ferociter