We all have had workdays where we feel pressured to clear our inboxes and check things off the to-do list, only to reach the end of the day and wonder what we actually accomplished. It feels a lot like being on a hamster wheel, putting all your energy into keeping the wheel turning only to be in the exact same spot once you stop.
This week on Catalyst, Clinton and Chris expand on some of the ideas presented in Cal Newport’s book Deep Work and break down how to slow down and focus on creating quality over quantity. Check out the highlights below, then dive into the full episode to learn more.
Escape the busyness trap
Being busy does not equal being productive. Not every day will be at peak performance, but there seems to be a growing desire amongst leaders to do less and focus on higher value activities. Newport’s concept of “deep work” centers around achieving this. By consciously pushing against going from thing to thing to thing, you’ll be able to be more intentional about your focus, aligned, and homed in on what it actually takes to move forward.
Take ownership of your time
As a leader, it’s okay to say “no” for the sake of your own sanity. Block designated time in your calendar to focus on deep work. During this time, say no to meetings, ignore your inbox, and allow yourself to focus without interruption. Regardless of if you’re brainstorming, planning, or exploring, setting aside an untouchable block of time helps ensure these activities become priorities instead of nice-to-haves.
Go offline
At times, you may have to physically walk away for a while to unblock your mind. It’s easy to get distracted in the working environment, and a change of scenery can sometimes provide clarity. Take a walk, do something else, or go analogue with a pen and paper while you work through your ideas and problems.
Aim high and give some grace
Leaders aren’t the only ones who feel this way, and that’s to give your teams the same grace you’re showing yourself. Granting your people the freedom to explore and focus on deeper work themselves can often lead to incredible results for the business. The key is to focus on quality over quantity. Take the risk and focus on tackling the big things. You’ll often find that the smaller stuff all falls into place downstream anyways.
As always, don’t forget to subscribe to Catalyst wherever you get your podcasts. We release a new episode every Tuesday, jam-packed with expert advice and actionable insights for creating digital experiences that move millions. In the meantime, you can check out the Frictionless Enterprise ebook mentioned in this week’s episode here.
