Prioritizing tasks over speed is key to getting ahead.

You may be approaching productivity the wrong way if you view it as your capacity to accomplish tasks rapidly.

According to Cal Newport, a Georgetown University professor and author of "Slow Productivity," the key to producing more significant work may involve slowing down and doing less.

To achieve slow productivity, focus on doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and being obsessed with quality. This approach can help eliminate the distractions of work, such as juggling emails and meetings, and allow you to put more energy into producing high-quality work.

Working at a pace that is slower than your colleagues can be challenging, especially if your job requires quick decision-making and action. It can be difficult to find ways to advance in a work environment that values speed and efficiency.

Being the first to raise your hand isn't the only way to succeed

Understanding how to solve problems for your boss is key, and it's not always about being the first to speak up.

When your boss delegates something to you, they are responsible for the task's completion, and that can be stressful. They want to alleviate that stress.

To relieve stress for your boss, Newport suggests two approaches: one involves responding promptly, while the other involves establishing trust and confidence in your capabilities.

"To relieve your boss's stress, you can either immediately respond to their requests or establish a reputation for reliability, ensuring that they can trust you to return their tasks promptly," he explains.

Immediacy is preferred by bosses when they lack trust in a person's ability to follow through or when they are unfamiliar with their work approach, Newport explains. This is because they want to avoid having to follow up and would rather see the results quickly.

"Another way to reduce stress is by being highly organized," he suggests.

Your boss will have peace of mind knowing that their tasks won't be overlooked and will be completed on time, even if they don't receive immediate updates.

How to build trust with your boss

You can fast-track the level of trust that comes with experience and tenure by being visibly organized, according to Newport.

To effectively manage your projects, you should have a public list of them ranked by priority, with status updates and noted delivery timelines. Trello is a recommended tool for this purpose. Additionally, it's important to keep your boss informed of any changes or delays and to meet (or not exceed) new deadlines.

Trusting that you will complete the task is what matters most, according to Newport. It's not necessary to do it immediately, as long as it gets done eventually. This trust serves as a foundation for slower productivity.

Newport says young workers should prioritize gaining a reputation for being organized.

"You will gain significant independence and influence in the future."

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