Ep. 121: Is Writing Everyday Overrated? (with Srini Rao)

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaUpdate on Cal’s book writing [5:11]- LISTENER CALL: How do I get information out of my inbox? [9:59]- How do I choose a masters program? (RANT alert) [15:16]- How do you know what is enough for the next step of your career? [19:47]HABIT TUNE-UP: Multi-Scale Seasonality (The second principle of slow productivity)  [34:01]RAPID FIRE CALLS:- How do I improve my evening wind down routine? [40:36]- How do you take a Deep Holiday? [42:52]- How do you organize your books? [46:12]NEWS: A novel solution to the problems of social media [51:45]Can I live a Deep Life if I decide to start a family? [57:27]Thanks to our Sponsors:Getkion.com/CalMagicspoon.com/CalZocdoc.com/DeepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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.

30 Maj 20221h 4min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaThe Overlooked Radicalism of Tim Ferriss [13:53]QUESTIONS:- Is it time for a career change or do I just lack discipline? [37:30]- Do occasional leaks mean that my productivity system is broken? [46:02]- LISTENER CALL: How should this exhausted professorI structure her sabbatical? [50:16]Habit Tune-Up: The Corner Marking Method [59:03]- Why use a paper notebook for Time-blocking instead of an app? [1:20:58]- How can I do longer Deep Work sessions? [1:26:48]Thanks to our Sponsors:Trybasis.com/CalWren.co/DeepExpressVPN.com/DeepNovo.co/DeepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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.

23 Maj 20221h 33min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:   youtube.com/calnewportmediaCal reacts to his inbox [7:48]QUESTIONS:- How do I manage a two-part workday?  [26:49]- How do I save my “shut down” ritual? [34:14]- LISTENER CALL: Should I work on challenging projects or take the easy path? [37:58]Cal reacts to the news: A Catholic Response to Workism [48:48]- How do I select projects? [1:10:51]- How do I tame WhatsApp with my friends and family? [1:20:51]Thanks to our Sponsors:Blinkist.com/DeepZocdoc.com/DeepLadder.com/DeepAthleticGreens.com/DeepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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 Maj 20221h 28min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaCAL REACTS: His latest article for The New Yorker [16:06]QUESTIONS:- How do I balance my walking ‘modes’ when living a Deep Life? [39:43]- Why not recommend time-blocking for leisure? [44:09]- LISTENER CALL: How do I avoid my phone when I’m tired? [46:57]HABIT  TUNE-UP: WorkingMemory.txt - LISTENER CALL: How does a manager do Deep Work? [1:10:28]- Where do you put your extended thoughts about your life? [1:19:52]Thanks to our Sponsors:ExpressVPN.com/DeepMyBodyTutor.comGrammarly.com/DeepStamps.comThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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.

9 Maj 20221h 24min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDEEP DIVE: The Surprising Math of Doing Less [8:58]QUESTIONS:- How do I improve my discipline?  [26:16]- How do you break down a complicated problem? [37:20] - LISTENER CALL: Has Cal read “Stolen Focus”? [40:27]The Books I Read in April 2022 [46:41]- LISTENER CALL: Playbook for writing in The New Yorker [1:12:37]Thanks to our Sponsors:Blinkist.com/DeepAthleticGreens.com/DeepPolicyGenius.comMagicSpoon.com/DeepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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.

2 Maj 20221h 18min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaCAL REACTS TO THE NEWS [8:05]QUESTIONS:- How do I read more?  [45:35]- Rapid Fire: TV, Email, and Journaling [54:44]- Listener Call: How is a weekly plan different than what’s in Trello? [59:33]HABIT TUNE-UP: Fixed-Schedule Productivity [1:06:07]- Listener Call: How would Cal design a university? [1:19:47]- Should college students avoid social media? [1:29:58]Thanks to our Sponsors:Zocdoc.com/DeepMagicmind.co/DeepNovo.co/DeepBlinkist.com/DeepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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 Apr 20221h 34min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDEEP DIVE: The Crypto Question No One is Asking [1:43]QUESTIONS:- Should I be productive or bill more hours? [24:51]- Can someone with ADHD succeed with Deep Work? [28:44]- Can I find depth if I have roommates? [33:12]- How do I track more publications? [37:49]- I can’t time-block. What should I do? [43:33]- How do I tame Netflix? [47:19]- How does Cal come up with ideas? [55:04]- How do I shorten weekly planning sessions? [58:26]    Thanks to our Sponsors:Headspace.com/QuestionsLadderLife.com/DeepAthleticGreens.com/DeepBlinkist.com/DeepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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.

21 Apr 20221h 2min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaQUESTIONS:- How do I stick with just one organization system? [3:38]- How do I maintain a routine in a job with wildly changing demands? [9:00]- Cal Reacts to the News: Is Twitter Ruining Society? [23:30]- How do I apply your ideas to skilled labor? [44:14]- How do I cure my current feeling of burnout? [49:25]- Should I focus on process or results-focused goals? [1:01:51]Thanks to our Sponsors:Blinkist.com/DeepAthleticGreens.com/DeepLadderLife.com/DeepHeadspace.com/QuestionsThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro 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 Apr 20221h 4min