Ep. 281: Learning Hard Things

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: Making a Living Online [8:26]- How do you get over the fear of starting a business? [39:21]- How can I convince my wife I’m unavailable during deep work sessions? [43:09]- Struggling to focus because of a personal crisis  [54:49]- What is the potential of AI in productivity optimization? [1:00:30]Interesting Mail Bag [1:05:52]- Can you reduce attention residue? [1:19:01]- Impact of Cal’s podcast on his idea process [1:22:31]Thanks to our Sponsors:Betterhelp.com/DeepQuestionsStamps.com/DeepTrybasis.com/CalZbiotics.com/CalThanks 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.

20 Juni 20221h 30min

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: Feedback Councils [2:58]- How can you not lose faith if there is always more to be done? [23:22]- Do you have two shutdowns when you’re working two shifts? [27:04]- CALL: Decoding the Deep Life [32:13]- What are some good Deep Leisure activities? [47:32]- CALL: Looking to write after early retirement [53:16]Books I read in May 2022 [1:03:13]Thanks to our Sponsors:PolicyGenius.comTrybasis.com/CalMagicSpoon.com/CalExpressVPN.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.

13 Juni 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/calnewportmediaUpdate on Cal’s book writing [ 2:03]WORK QUESTIONS- How do I get my family and friends to take my profession seriously? [14:11]- How should we adjust our work for the arrival of our first baby? [21:33]- Do maximum deep work durations depend on the type of work? [28:10]- How do I overcome the sense of being overwhelmed by all of my goals? [31:21]TECHNOLOGY QUESTION- What are the most important trends in technology at the moment? [37:25]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS- Does reading too many books dilute their impact? [1:01:01]- How do I turn off my ambitious mind? [1:02:35]- How do I get back on the productivity horse after I fall off? [1:05:05]Thanks to Our Sponsors:EightSleep.com/DeepBlinkist.com/DeepGrammarly.com/DeepMyBodyTutor.com  Thanks 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.

10 Juni 20221h 9min

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