Ep. 61: How Should I Tackle Big Projects?

In the first ever live episode of Deep Questions, recorded at People’s Book in Takoma Park, MD, Cal extracts a modern productivity lesson from the tale of Jane Austen’s frustrated ambitions, before taking questions from the audience. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Jane Austen’s To-Do List [3:22]— Is Cal building his YouTube channel with social media tactics? [27:36]— How can I do less in such a busy world? [31:53]— How do I escape the flow state? [37:01]— How can someone become a star while obsessing over craft? [40:52]— How can I apply Slow Productivity to unrelated projects? [46:40]— How does Cal develop his writing frameworks? [50:20]— How can I apply Slow Productivity principles to a team? [52:48]— How can I avoid the Zoom apocalypse? [57:48]— Is there a conflict between working at a natural pace and obsessing over quality? [1:07:16]— How can a personal trainer build a wellness solution company? [1:09:46]— How can our team not get delayed with technical problems? [1:13:00]— How can a young lawyer manage peer relationships with teams? [1:16:38]          Links:— Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow— Use this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ — Cal’s Monthly Books directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51 Thanks to our Sponsors: blinkist.com/deepdrinklmnt.com/deepexpressvpn.com/deepcozyearth.com  (Use promo code “Cal”)Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Apr 20241h 21min

In this episode Cal takes a closer look at a growing trend of artists quitting social media and instead reverting to old-fashioned websites. Are these acts of principled sacrifice or a sustainable way to be creative online? Cal argues for the latter, showing how the internet without social media curation algorithms can be a place of rich discovery and audience building. He then takes questions on similar topics and ends by playing a few rounds of “deep or crazy” during the final segment.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: A Quiet Revolt Against Social Media [7:37]- Is my deep living too extreme? [45:06]- LinkedIn is getting toxic. Should I quit that too? [47:39]- Where do online articles fit into the life of a digital minimalist? [51:09]- Did Cal design the specifications for the hardcover copy of “Slow Productivity”? [54:04]- How do I not feel overwhelmed by online content after a Digital Declutter? [58:07]- CALL: Obsessing over quality [1:01:08]CASE STUDY: Applying lessons from “Digital Minimalism” [1:06:37]CAL REACTS: Deep or Crazy? [1:13:54]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowpeoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ twitter.com/HumanitiesGU/status/1772436799727472942youtube.com/watch?v=W3h9gV_z8OMyoutube.com/watch?v=tV6BbPTN5PQyoutube.com/watch?v=r0RqucKwIcwThanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.comshopify.com/deepdrinklmnt.com/deepmauinuivenison.com/deepquestionsThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Apr 20241h 23min

One of the biggest problems afflicting knowledge workers in the digital age is frantic busyness; days filled with emails, chats, and meetings, without much to show for all the effort. In today’s episode, Cal dives into one of the most-discussed ideas from his new book, Slow Productivity, which offers a simple, tactical assault on this state of persistent busyness. He then answers listener questions about similar issues and lists the book he read in March.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  hyoutube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: A Tactical Assault on Busyness [3:47]- How can I stop chasing the “perfect” productivity system? [34:51] - How do I avoid losing my day to distraction? [39:08]  - How do I help my partner escape meeting quickstand? [42:31]- How do we design the perfect client/task/scheduling system? [48:59]- Can Apple Vision Pro help deep work? [54:46]The 5 Books Cal Read in March 2024 [1:06:43] A Short History of England (Simon Jenkins)Into the Impossible (Brian Keating)The Amen Effect (Sharon Brous)Sink the Bismark! (CS Forester)Hidden Potential (Adam Grant)Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/can-an-ai-make-plansThanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.com/deepzocdoc.com/deepnotion.com/calThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 Apr 20241h 16min

Imagine a world in which AI could handle your email inbox on your behalf. No more checking for new messages every five minutes. No more worries that people need you. No more exhausting cognitive context shifts. In this episode, Cal explores how close cutting-edge AI models are to achieving this goal, including using ChatGPT to help him answer some real email. He then dives into his latest article for The New Yorker, which explains the key technical obstacle to fully automated email and how it might be solved. This is followed by reader questions and a look at something interesting.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Can A.I. Empty My Inbox? [4:33]- Should I continue to study programming if AI will eventually replace software jobs? [44:40]- Is it bad to use ChatGPT to assist with your writing? [49:22]- How do I reclaim my workspace for Deep Work? [55:24]- How do I decide what to do on my scheduled mini-breaks at work? [1:00:11]- CALL: Heidegger’s view on technology [1:02:48]- CALL: Seasonality with a partner and kids [1:09:11]CASE STUDY: A Silicon Valley Chief of Staff balancing work and ego [1:20:07]Something Interesting: General Grant’s Slow Productivity [1:30:08]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity”at calnewport.com/slow newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/can-an-ai-make-plansThanks to our Sponsors: listening.com/deeprhone.com/caldrinklmnt.com/deepshopify.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

25 Mars 20241h 36min

On his recent book tour, Cal found great success using a small notebook dedicated to developing a single idea. In this episode, he explores this “single-purpose notebook” strategy, identifying when it makes sense and why it works. He also takes listener questions about his new book, “Slow Productivity,” and reacts to a recent article about TikTok’s stumbles.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Single-Purpose Notebooks [5:02]- If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [27:07]- Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [34:59]- Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [39:21]- How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [48:12]- Should I read your new book slowly? [52:44]- CALL: Does Cal ever stress about work? [55:24]CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [1:00:31]SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:08:56]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow bramses.notion.site/bramses/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51notebookstories.com/2013/05/06/picasso-sketchbook/anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10788/remembering-bruce-chatwin-the-greatest-travel-writer-that-ever-livednotebookstories.com/2023/12/22/a-notebook-in-the-movie-elf/com/tech/personal-tech/quitting-tiktok-less-swiping-more-sleeping-1e166a39?page=1 newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giantsThanks to our Sponsors: mintmobile.com/deeppolicygenius.com/deepquestionsnotion.com/calcozyearth.com (Use promo code “Cal”)Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

18 Mars 20241h 16min

What does the story of the rise of the singing superstar Jewel teach us about escaping busyness in our knowledge work jobs? In this episode, Cal makes the connection, extracting a key lesson about quality as an engine for slowness, and then providing concrete advice and examples for applying this lesson to your own professional life. Also: listener questions and the books Cal read in February.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Doing Better, Do Less [5:00]- Is my job too hard? [38:25]- How do I sell myself better? [42:52] - How do I convince myself to do actual hard work? [45:42]- How do I find time to get better if I'm busy? [48:46]- What is the values plan? [53:23]The 5 books Cal read in February 2024 [1:01:45]The Sabbath (AJ Heschel)Making Movies (Sidney Lumet)Killer of the Flower Moon (David Grann)Orthodoxy (G.K. Chesterton)The Good Shepherd (CA Forestor)Links:FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deepdrinklmnt.com/deepmybodytutor.comblinkist.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11 Mars 20241h 8min

One of the most common strategies for achieving a powerful ideal lifestyle vision is to leverage entrepreneurial activities to find a stable source of income that allows autonomy and flexibility. To help understand how to succeed in such ventures, Cal interviews the entrepreneur and author Noah Kagan about his new book, "The Million Dollar Weekend." Recording on the road as part of his book tour for "Slow Productivity," Cal also shares some lessons about what he's been observing.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: Marketing guru Noah Kagan [11:06]Links:Use this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestionsmauinuivenison.com/deepquestionszocdoc.com/deepexpressvpn.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

4 Mars 20241h 31min

How did we end up tyrannized by our inboxes? How is this related to Tyrannosaurus? What was it like working at a high-tech company at the exact moment email was introduced? In this episode, Cal weaves together all these questions into a story about the unexpected ways technology impacts our lives and what we can do after the fact to make things better.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  https://youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: The Email Catastrophe [3:47]- How do I deal with email overload in a government job? [45:34]- How do I deal with an employer who demands constant responsiveness?[55:36]- How can I concentrate when coding when I need to use my web browser? [58:27]- How do I overcome my fear of missing important emails? [1:02:35]- CALL: Can slow productivity work for an academic? [1:06:38]CAL REACTS: Reader Comments on his NYT Op-Ed [1:17:47]Links:newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-day-the-dinosaurs-diedpnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1817407116newyorker.com/magazine/1994/01/10/e-mail-from-bill-gatesblog.rescuetime.com/communication-multitasking-switches/nytimes.com/2024/02/16/opinion/creative-work-productivity-seasonality.htmlUse this link to preorder a signed copy of “Slow Productivity”: peoplesbooktakoma.com/preorder-slow-productivity/ FREE download excerpt and 2 Bonuses for “Slow Productivity”: calnewport.com/slow  Thanks to our Sponsors: zocdoc.com/deeppolicygenius.com/deepquestionsblinkist.com/deepmoshlife.com/deepshopify.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 Feb 20241h 31min