Are we doing too much at work? We may be flooded with emails and heading to back-to-back meetings, but is that what being productive means? Cal Newport, a Georgetown University computer science professor, thinks that we got the traditional meaning of productivity all wrong.

“Slow productivity” for higher-quality outcomes: Newport advocates for “slow productivity,” which encourages individuals to do less, work more efficiently, and also get the chance to just slack off sometimes. This avoids burnout and is more likely to result in higher-quality — albeit “less” — work. To achieve this he shared four pointers with The Wall Street Journal that lead to “happier high performing.”

#1- Less is more. Apparently, work shouldn’t have to be stressful. Oftentimes, an employee is given too many projects to the point where their working hours seem to fully revolve around administrating and planning rather than completing the project. According to Microsoft, employees spend an average of two full work days a week in meetings (we are looking at you).

Newport believes prioritizations need to be made. Both managers and peers should be able to view the list of priorities to understand the pipeline and consider where (or whether) an additional task should be placed.

#2- Be blunt. Identify and share how much a task will take, as well as when you’ll be able to have that time to complete it. Now, just to be clear, these work tasks aren’t a favor that you’re doing for your boss, so don’t make it seem that way. Instead, highlight your efforts to remain efficient so that all the work gets done.

But what will my boss think? Newport says “We think bosses want someone who’s always accessible — fast to respond, fast to jump into action. But what bosses really want is to know that a project they hand you will get done.”

#3: Just give yourself a break. This isn’t quiet quitting, it’s just picking times to slow down. According to Rachel Feintzeig, The Wall Street Journal’s Work & Life columnist, we aren’t supposed to work at 100% every day without seasonal pauses. She says 85% is the magic productivity number to produce your best work.

#4: Come into your power. This is easier said than done, but what gives you control is being really good at your job.Newport adds, “The more you shed the work that doesn’t matter and spend that time getting better at the stuff that does, the more leeway you’ll get.”

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