A better way to approach quiet quitting

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This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world for material to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about quiet quitting — in a strategic way…

Quiet quitting is a workplace trend where employees do the bare minimum required in their job, avoiding extra tasks or responsibilities beyond their core duties.

Generally, I view it as a negative trend. I like being excited by my work, and eager to dive into it. And I enjoy working with people who feel the same way.

But a post on productivity expert Chris Bailey’s blog offers a different take on the phenomenon, and it’s one I can get behind: Seasonal quiet quitting.

In fact, if you’re doing it only irregularly, I think its fair to say the verb “quit” is misleading. It’s more like safeguarding your energy.

The idea comes from author Cal Newport. Here’s what he says:

“What if we stopped positioning quiet quitting as a general response to the ‘meaninglessness of work,’ and instead saw it as a more specific tactic to achieve seasonality? What if, for example, you decided to quiet quit a single season each year; maybe July and August, or that distracted period between Thanksgiving and the New Year?”

 This technique offers a way to redefine boundaries around your work so you can benefit from greater rest when needed.

Here are some of the strategies that Cal — and Chris — suggest:

  • Don’t work past 5 pm
  • Don’t volunteer to do extra work or take on additional projects
  • Don’t say yes to anything above and beyond your job description
  • Don’t remain constantly accessible over email and chat after hours—or even while you work

If you need to follow these strategies 24/7, I think it’s time to look for another job. But I certainly see the merit in following them for several weeks (or even a few months) over the year in order to maintain your own energy and enthusiasm.

 

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