From Overwhelmed to In Control: How I Master Slow Productivity and Beat Burnout for Good

Hey, I’m Jennifer! I’ve spent 20+ years in corporate sales and marketing and am a small business owner. I know firsthand what it takes to succeed and the importance of productivity.

Let’s talk about something no one ever wants to admit: we're all a little obsessed with productivity, aren’t we?

But here's the kicker—many of us are doing it all wrong. Hustling? Grinding? No, thanks. My strategy? Slow productivity. Yep, you read that right…slow productivity! I manage my time without burning out, and I’m going to show you how.

A recent survey conducted by Deloitte in 2023 found that 77% of professionals have experienced burnout at their current job, with 91% saying that unmanageable stress or frustration negatively impacts the quality of their work. Additionally, 83% noted that burnout from work can also negatively affect their personal relationships.¹

The Myth of “More, Faster, Better”

We live in a world that celebrates busy like it's an Olympic sport. If you’re not juggling five projects, answering 3 emails at once, and "circling back" (whatever that means) to your 7th Zoom meeting of the day, are you even doing it right?

Spoiler alert: you probably are. The problem with our productivity-obsessed culture is that it equates speed with efficiency, and that’s simply not true.

According to a study by RescueTime, only 2% of people can multitask effectively. The rest of us? We’re just hopping between tasks like over-caffeinated squirrels, getting nothing of actual substance done. But hey, at least we look busy, right?

Enter: Slow Productivity

The concept of slow productivity is exactly what it sounds like—getting stuff done at a manageable pace without driving yourself to the brink of exhaustion.

It’s about intentionally reducing the number of things on your to-do list and prioritizing what really matters.

Here’s why it works: A Stanford study found that productivity per hour declines sharply when a person works more than 50 hours a week. After 55 hours? It’s basically nap time—so why not avoid the crash?

So, what are My Top 5 Tips for Slow Productivity:

1. Embrace the “Anti-To-Do” List
   Forget the 12-page to-do lists.

You’re fooling yourself if you actually think you can get all of these things done in the day. Be realistic with yourself!

We’re keeping it simple here.

Each day, I write down one or two important tasks to focus on. That’s it.

The beauty of this? Less pressure, more focus, and actual results. Plus, fewer post it notes haunting your desk.

2. Batching Tasks Like a Pro
   I group similar tasks together.

Need to respond to emails? I give myself a 30-minute window and knock out as many as I can—then, the inbox is closed.

Science backs this up: studies show switching between tasks can decrease your productivity by 40%.

3. Say "No" Like You Mean It
   Saying "yes" to everything is a one-way ticket to burnout city.

Being selective about your commitments keeps your workload manageable.

And here’s the kicker—when you say "no" to things that don’t align with your goals, you make room for what truly matters.

4. The Power of Deep Work
   Coined by Cal Newport, deep work is all about focusing intensely on one thing without distractions.

I like to block off 90-minute chunks of time for this. No multitasking. No distractions. Just me, a cup of coffee, and a task. Surprisingly peaceful.

5. Take More Breaks…yes, I really mean this!
   Studies from the Draugiem Group show that the most productive people work for 52 minutes and then take a 17-minute break.

So, yes, scheduling in those snack breaks and stretching your legs actually boosts productivity.

Who knew snacks or a brief walk were the secret weapon?

Burnout? I Don’t Know Her

The goal of slow productivity isn’t to get more done in less time, it’s to get the right things done and still have energy left over to binge-watch Netflix, spend time with your family, or go for a walk without feeling like a zombie.

A study from Gallup found that 76% of employees experience burnout at least sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

When you pace yourself and focus on quality over quantity, you avoid the dreaded burnout spiral.

Final Thoughts

The truth is, productivity isn’t about how fast you can finish a task or how long you can grind before collapsing.

It’s about working smarter, not harder.

Slow productivity lets you win at work and life—no burnout required.

Plus, you get more time for the important things, like eating ice cream and staring out the window in peaceful contemplation.

Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for my scheduled 17-minute break.

Three things to ALWAYS remember:

Be CONFIDENT!

Be EMPATHETIC!

AND ALWAYS HAVE PASSION!!!!