Why Am I Working More and Getting Less Done?

Nayeema sits down with Cal Newport, an expert on deep work, pseudo-productivity and how technology is shaping work. He’s prolifically productive himself (he’s written multiple bestselling books, is a tenured Georgetown professor, and hosts a hit podcast called Deep Questions … all of which is made possible by his work process and his abstention from social media). In this episode of the SGDQ “What Even Is Work?!” series, Nayeema asks: Why are we working more and getting less done? Why does everyone feel so busy ALL THE TIME? And, should that meeting be an email, or that email be a meeting? Also: should my employer be finding some cognitive fitness … for my brain? Cal explains why modern knowledge work has created what he calls the “hyperactive hive mind” — a constant stream of Slack messages, emails, meetings, and notifications that keeps us reacting instead of thinking. And it’s not just annoying: our brains are actually TERRIBLE at constantly switching between different tasks and contexts. So how do we stay productive and cognitively fit?? Stay tuned for more of the SGDQ “What Even Is Work?!” series presented by @Zoom. Learn more about how Zoom can help you catch a break (and a chill first day back) zoommate.com. Nayeema thinks of it as vacation-maxxing for adults who want to holiday good and do other stuff good too! Send us your “dumb questions” on IG/TikTok @smartgirldumbquestions or by calling 1-855-MyDumbQ. Make sure you’re following Nayeema and the show on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. And, obvi: if you liked this episode, send it to your friends, your group chat, your mom... and your COWORKER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices