Ep. 171: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout?

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.DEEP DIVE: Are NFTs frivolous or fundamental? [6:57]WORK QUESTIONS - Does a world without email mean the return of voicemail? [23:42] - Is Elon Musk right about not pursuing a PhD? [26:31] - Is mastery incompatible with the deep life? [28:47] - Do I need a todo list for my personal life? [39:15] - How do you come up with catchy phrases like "hyperactive hive mind"? [41:26] - Why am I wary of building a team? [44:12]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS - How do I use the internet responsibly when there is so much information? [48:02] - How do I learn to code while working a demanding job? [49:33] - What are my (Cal) thoughts on Microsoft Teams? [55:41]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - How do I (Cal) spend my time outside of work and family? [58:49] - How do I unplug from the "productivity machine" and relax? [1:01:10]Thanks to 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 Apr 20211h 12min

Below are the topics covered in today's listener calls mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - Scheduling multiple concurrent projects. [5:06] - Prioritizing projects. [12:03] - Work from home wardrobes (and virtual commutes). [15:58]  - Maintaining focusing during mini-delays. [23:49] - Decorating an office to support deep work. [28:11]Link for my Clubhouse conversation with Kevin Roose (3pm Eastern on 4/1): https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/xeeZL4DEThanks to 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.

1 Apr 202132min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.WORK QUESTIONS - How do I concentrate in an open office? [5:27] - Do professors need to work 60+ hours a week? [9:10] - What's the best workflow for student reference letters? [17:38] - How does an MS student prepare to become a CS professor? [21:21] - How can a high school principal find time to do deep work? [25:28]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS - Can email itself be the work? [35:36] - Do I need constant pings and messaging to foster community? [43:27] - Must I stop watching TV and movies to be productive? [46:51]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - In what order should a teenager read the Cal Newport Canon? [53:42] - Are Peloton badges just another digital addiction? [58:48] - How do I stop avoiding the need to live deeper? [1:01:36]Link for my Clubhouse conversation with Kevin Roose (3pm Eastern on 4/1): https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/xeeZL4DEThanks to 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 Mar 20211h 7min

Below are the topics covered in today's mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.- Taming scattered schedules. [3:10]- Phantom part time work in the office. [11:04]- The joys and sorrows of binge working. [18:12]- Organizing reading when you're slow at reading. [25:05]- Combatting administrative overload in academia (including a bonus unsolicited rant). [29:57]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.

25 Mar 202144min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.DEEP DIVE: What Are My Core Systems? [2:40]WORK QUESTIONS - How do I avoid burnout? [13:33]  - How do I measure effectiveness in a vague job? [19:58] - How do I teach myself to become a better programmer? [22:19] - What is a good way to become a better leader? [27:50] - How do non-fiction writers become better at their craft? [30:56] - What motivates a boss to promote you? (Plus a bonus digression on personal versus societal improvement) [34:27]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS - Does personal email make people miserable? [39:40]  - Should I quit social media for good? [42:09] - How do I help someone kick their TikTok addiction? [49:23] - Is it possible to succeed in business without a personal brand? [56:40]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - How do we teach deep thinking to kids? (warning: your kids will now like my answer) [1:00:36] - Why did I move to Takoma Park? [1:04:32] - How do I focus when dealing with emotional turmoil? [1:15]Thanks to 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 Mar 20211h 20min

Below are the topics covered in today's mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast. - On the value of expensive productivity systems. [3:58] - Phantom part-time jobs. [11:16] - Working deeply after hard days. [16:24] - Must all leisure be quality? [28:27]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.

18 Mar 202134min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.DEEP DIVE: Should this meeting have been an email? [5:30]WORK QUESTIONS - How do I recharge after a hard year of work? [17:14] - How do I write blog posts? [20:46] - How important is working from home for accomplishing deep work? [22:52] - How can I apply productive meditation to work that requires a computer? [28:52]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS - How do I step away from WhatsApp? [33:13] - Are spaced repetition flashcard programs worth it? [36:47] - What should I replace social media with in my life? [43:24] - How can I start a business without social media? [51:19]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - Why are kitchens such appealing work locations? [54:53] - How do I overcome deep procrastination during remote learning? [58:10] - Should I time block after retirement?Thanks to 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.

15 Mar 20211h 9min

Below are the topics covered in today's mini-episode (with timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.- Active recall in the office. [4:58]- Processes for problem solving. [9:58]- Time blocking versus the pomodoro method. [14:20]- Time blocking versus bullet journaling. [23:51]- The necessity of a second brain. [28:46]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.

11 Mar 202136min