The Productivity Project: A Year of Experiments, Insights, and Life-Changing Results

What happens when you spend a year trying every productivity trick in the book? Here’s what I discovered.

The Experiment

Chris Bailey turned down job offers to spend a full year testing every productivity strategy he could find—from waking up at dawn and meditating for hours, to working marathon weeks and living with minimal digital devices. His journey, documented in 'The Productivity Project,' is part science, part self-discovery, and all about finding what really works. 2

Key Lessons Learned

• Productivity is about meaning, not just efficiency.
• Your energy and attention matter more than your schedule.
• Personalization beats generic advice—track your own rhythms.
• The Rule of 3 is a game-changer for focus and progress.
• Reflection, habits, and self-compassion fuel sustainable growth.

Bailey’s wildest experiments—like meditating for 35 hours a week or limiting smartphone use to an hour a day—show that there’s no single formula for success. The most important lesson? Build a system that works for you. 1

How to Apply These Lessons

• Start with your values: What matters most to you?
• Set three priorities for each day and week.
• Work during your prime energy windows.
• Batch low-value tasks into a maintenance day.
• Reflect weekly and practice self-compassion.

With these simple steps, you can design a life that’s not just productive, but deeply fulfilling. 4