Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Productivity Project summary
Proven Ways to Become More Awesome
13 mins
Brief summary
The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey is a non-fiction book that reveals insights on how to optimise productivity and achieve more in less time. It provides practical and strategic advice on how to overcome distractions and accomplish goals with focus and discipline.
Table of Contents
The Productivity Project
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Productivity is about working smarter by managing your time, attention and energy.
Some people think productivity is about doing more. They’re wrong! In fact, productivity is about working smarter and getting the important things done.
Let’s look at two extremes of the working spectrum: a frantic Wall Street trader and a Buddhist monk. Ideally, what you want to find is the perfect meeting place between these two.
The prototypical stock trader works at such a frenzied pace that his intentions become scattered and he fails to see the meaning and value of his work. Meanwhile, the monk takes the time each day to meditate and reflect upon what’s meaningful, yet he works at such a deliberate place that he doesn’t accomplish very much.
So, it’s only when you position yourself between the rhythms of the monk and the Wall Street trader that you find true productivity. This ideal working pace is deliberate enough to identify what’s important and purposeful enough to accomplish your goals.
To find this perfect pace, you need to manage your time, attention and energy.
After all, you can have all the energy in the world, but it won’t accomplish much without a well-managed schedule. And the opposite holds true as well: you might have a perfectly structured plan to finish your dream project, but it’s useless if you’re wasting all your energy elsewhere.
However, both time and energy can be wasted if your mind is constantly wandering and unfocused, which is why attention is the third key to the productivity puzzle.
In the blinks ahead, we’ll explore a number of techniques that will help you strike the perfect balance between your inner monk and Wall Street trader, so that you can be the most productive version of yourself.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Productivity Project?
Key ideas in The Productivity Project
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Productivity Project about?
The Productivity Project (2016) is a practical guide to how to live a life that’s both productive and meaningful. With easy-to-understand techniques and reliable advice, you’ll find out how to work smarter and accomplish the work that really matters. Stop wasting time and procrastinating, and pick up some new tools to take control of your life!
The Productivity Project Review
The Productivity Project (2016) by Chris Bailey is a captivating exploration of productivity and how to make the most of our time. Here's why it's a book worth reading:
- It provides practical strategies and techniques that can easily be implemented to enhance productivity and achieve goals.
- With its scientific approach and research-backed insights, the book offers a deeper understanding of productivity and how our brains work.
- The author's experiments and personal anecdotes add a relatable and engaging touch, making the subject matter anything but boring.
Who should read The Productivity Project?
- Students looking for new ways to be productive
- Overworked employees
- Busy or stressed-out entrepreneurs and business owners
Categories with The Productivity Project
Book summaries like The Productivity Project
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Productivity Project FAQs
What is the main message of The Productivity Project?
The main message of The Productivity Project is to help you become more productive and efficient in your work and personal life.
How long does it take to read The Productivity Project?
The estimated reading time for The Productivity Project is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Productivity Project a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Productivity Project is a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their productivity. It offers practical tips and insights to help optimize your time and tasks.
Who is the author of The Productivity Project?
The author of The Productivity Project is Chris Bailey.
What to read after The Productivity Project?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Productivity Project, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How to Be a Productivity Ninja by Graham Allcott
- Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg
- 18 Minutes by Peter Bregman
- Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
- The Power of Unwavering Focus by Dandapani
- Work Simply by Carson Tate
- 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management by Kevin Kruse
- Successful Time Management by Patrick Forsyth
- You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman
- Atomic Habits by James Clear