Ep. 87: Should I Switch Careers to Pursue my Dream?

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about dealing my Trello setup, reducing student screen time, and our collective need for a "deep reset," among many other topics.To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:WORK QUESTIONS* Entry level jobs and shallow work [11:24]* The future of bullshit jobs [16:25]* Staying in the zone over the weekend [23:09]* Deciding what to read as an academic [26:45]* Calibrating academic service [29:15]* Revisiting my 2009 advice on grad school [34:43]* Deep work with a new kid [44:50]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS* My Trello setup [50:06]* Reducing student screen time [54:46]* Boredom versus high quality diversions [58:37]* Note-taking apps [1:07:25]* Agile methodologies and deep work [1:10:11]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS* Young mother seeking better friends [1:17:05] * Young father seeking improvement [1:21:36] * Kids versus career [1:27:45]* Thoughts on the Astros [1:29:23]* My call for a “Deep Reset” [1:29:48] Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Nov 20201h 38min

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.Here are the topics we cover: * Prioritizing tasks when you have too much to do [9:28]* Making the most of the weekend [18:53]* Balancing my academic and writing obligations [26:42]* Improving reading habits [35:25]* Resisting radicalization (sermon alert) [41:07]Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 Nov 202057min

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about dealing with unproductive days, avoiding curated content fatigue, and the importance of developing character, among many other topics.To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:OPENING: The terribleness of my recent experiment with constant online news consumption.WORK QUESTIONS* Dealing with unproductive days [11:50] * My system versus David Allen’s systems [15:16] * The timeline for developing deep habits [22:35]* Assessing your own career capital [31:17] * The road to academic superstardom [36:05] * Ideal number of working hours [45:28] * Building a reasonable schedule for an unreasonable workload [51:32]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS* Avoiding curated content fatigue [53:41]* Capture technology [58:22]* The plan for this podcast [1:00:19]* Music and concentration [1:07:01]* Instant messaging and distraction [1:08:02] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS* Essentialism versus the deep life [1:13:48] * Deep home life [1:16:57] * My ideal work environment [1:23:37]* Character and the deep life [1:27:58] Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Nov 20201h 37min

In this special episode of DEEP QUESTIONS, I rebroadcast a conversation recorded earlier this summer, featuring me and the bestselling author Greg McKeown. It originally aired on Greg's fantastic podcast, WHAT'S ESSENTIAL (https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/).You probably know Greg from his influential 2014 book, ESSENTIALISM, which I recommend all the time. In this conversation, we talk about unplugging from distraction, the art of doing less (without accomplishing less), and how to improve your ability to focus.I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to our sponsors Magic Spoon (use magicspoon.com/CAL to receive free shipping) and Blinkist (use blinkist.com/DEEP for a 7 day free trial).Also thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Nov 202053min

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about selling your first book (and end up accidentally ranting about publishing industry misconceptions), going deep when your spouse is defiantly shallow, and day dreaming about my ideal schedule, among many other topics.To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:WORK QUESTIONS * Planning unpredictable work [2:27] * On the supposed upsides of procrastination [12:02] * Cutting back on academic obligations [14:43] * Dropping out of grad school [18:02] * Publishing your first book (rant alert) [21:07] * Getting serious about personal productivity [30:35]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS * A look at my own phone usage [37:36] * On cannabis and deep work [40:16] * When your spouse is mad at you for reducing technology [47:12] * Rethinking education post-pandemic [53:09]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS  * Dream schedules for lovers of depth [1:01:01] * Staying motivated when school is online [1:03:51] * FIRE and the deep life [1:09:3]Links to Special Offers from our Sponsors: - blinkist.com/DEEP - magicspoon.com/CALThanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2 Nov 20201h 20min

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.Here are the topics we cover: * Notebooks for personal reflections vs. business organization. [5:50]* Elite quarterly planning tactics. [10:18]* Diminishing distracting day dreams. [18:37]* Combating burn out. [32:58]Special Offer Links from Sponsors: - magicspoon.com/CALThanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 Okt 202053min

In this episode of DEEP QUESTIONS we're joined by a guest host: David Epstein.David is the New York Times bestselling author of THE SPORTS GENE and RANGE. I probably get asked questions about RANGE more than any other book by listeners of this podcast, so I knew we had to get David on the show to share his wisdom.We talk about his career, his (short-lived) public feud with Malcolm Gladwell, and his research habits, but most importantly, we go deep on his breakthrough ideas about skills, practice, and meaning in careers -- answering many of your questions as well as a few of my own.You can find out more about David at https://davidepstein.com.To submit your own questions for this podcast, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com.Thanks to our sponsor Magic Spoon (use magicspoon.com/CAL to receive free shipping).Thank you to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 Okt 20201h 45min

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.Here are the topics we cover: * The difference between daily and weekly planning [10:08]* Fighting shallow work in medicine. [16:44]* On the value of taking off a work day each week. [24:14]* Maximizing home offices. [30:29]* Scheduling deep work with a chronic illness [43:08]* Taming jobs with large hour demands. [49:32]Special Offer Sponsor Links: - grammarly.com/DEEP - indeed.com/QUESTIONS - foursigmatic.com/DEEPThanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

22 Okt 202055min