We Don’t Have That Much Time

In his book Slow Productivity, Cal Newport advocates the opposite of groupthink, in that we do fewer things, work at a natural pace and obsess over quality.

He makes a compelling case for spending money wisely to reduce the administrative burdens that weigh down so many entrepreneurs.

Newport highlights the example of his friend Jenny Blake, who decided to stop relying on free software tools and instead "went pro" with over fifty premium subscriptions like Calendly and DocuSign. While her monthly expenses for these services total around $2,400, the payoff is clear: these tools eliminate countless small tasks, freeing her to focus on more meaningful work.

Newport also shares his own experience of hiring professional service providers, from podcast producers to accountants, to help manage the day-to-day details of his writing business. As he points out, spending money on skilled professionals not only improves the quality of your work but also keeps your task list manageable. This, in turn, creates the mental space needed for breakthroughs and significant progress.

I strongly endorse Newport's approach. In my work, I've seen the immense value of surrounding myself with the right tools and people. Yes, these investments can seem costly upfront, but the long-term return, both in terms of productivity and peace of mind, far outweighs the expense.

If you are aiming to deliver excellent work and service, don't underestimate the power of investing in what frees your time.

Our time is our most precious asset and we don't have as much time as we think we have. And if we're honest, we waste most of it.