25. You don't have to be more productive (really)

This month, something very strange happened. I found myself researching a biz-bro productivity hack for writers... and actually wanting to try it.

How did this come to pass? In these manically trying times, it’s been feeling especially hard to avoid getting flooded with information and content – to actually integrate what I’m taking in, instead of being swept up. And ironically, this productivity system might be a way to do just that.

So, does this mean my long-running, deep-seated distrust of creative productivity culture may be misguided? Am I going to pivot to being a prolific, write-and-post-every-day kind of writer? Meh, I still don’t think so.

There’s nothing wrong with being prolific – but there’s nothing inherently good about it, either. Being prolific requires the courage to speak, but speaking well requires making space for deep and surprising thought. Sometimes it requires prioritizing slowness over productiveness.

I think the line between expression and noise comes down to two concepts that sound similar, but are ultimately opposed: “next actions” and “next right things.” And it’s very easy to mistake one for the other.

But when you get it right, you unlock the potential to reclaim what’s truly meaningful to you (no productivity system needed).

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Episode links:

Bob Doto

• “The Spirit of Productivity: Channeling Inspiration Into Doing What Matters Most”
• A System for Writing
• Main blog

“Information Dysregulation: This New Term is Changing Everything,” Taylor Heaton (YouTube)

“Do the Next Right Thing: Carl Jung on How to Live,” Maria Popova, The Marginalian

“Slow productivity is a team sport: A critique of Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity,” Meredith Farkas, Information Wants to be Free

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