A productivity guru went to visit Disneyland. And there he found the secrets of silent productivity

Recently, Cal Newport was in Disneyland. Newport is one of the great productivity gurus, and its most widespread thesis is that of Power of the concentration of the deep. His analytical eye allowed him, tail comes, get some interesting lessons about productivity even in the middle of a theme park.

First, it describes the experience of attractions as “hyperreality”: worlds that are impressive and artificial at the same time, designed to offer a purified and safe version of the real adventure.

Disney has perfected that creation of artificial experiences, and also productivity through the design of systems that eliminate cognitive friction. Something of what We already talked in the past.

Every detail of the park is designed so that the visitor does not have to make too many decisions and can concentrate their mental energy on enjoying.

Some examples:

• The posters are placed just where they are needed.
• The queues serpente so that it is more difficult to estimate their real length.
• Employees anticipate the questions that visitors usually ask.
• The show schedules are designed to distribute crowds without noticing manipulation.
• Even garbage containers are strategically located so you never have to load with remains.

It is a great accumulated example of the philosophy of Do not understand productivity how to do more thingsbut to eliminate everything that does not matter to do well what does matter.

And something deeper: Newport connects this experience comparing it to what happens when we use our mobile. Instagram, X or Tiktok offer us diluted versions of real experiences:

• The morbidity of traveling without traveling.
• Outrage without consequences.
• Entertainment effortlessly.

Pirates of the Caribbean in 6 inches.

The difference is that Disney designs for our well -being as a visitor (and potentially so that we want to return or so that we have easier to spend there). Social networks design for our addiction as a product. Disney wants you to go happy after a couple of days, social networks want you to never leave.

And that is the lesson that we can apply: in the same way that Disney designs experiences that minimize the cognitive burden of its visitor, We can design our days to minimize trivial decisions. Automate the routine, systematize the repetitive, eliminate what it distracts.

The mantra of creating an environment where we can concentrate on what generates value, and not simply work more hours.

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