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.DEEP DIVE: My October reading list [1:49]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - How do you avoid burn out from deep work? [11:55] - Are your (Cal's) systems for tracking deep work and for tracking GTD projects independent? [13:59] - Does studying “on the go” incur cognitive burden? [18:07] - What category of things do you track on your (Cal's) Trello boards? [26:42] - What skills are most important for an undergraduate looking to become a professor? [32:12]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS: - What would you recommend to a doctoral student without a mentor?  [36:53] - How do you balance physical and digital tools in productivity?  [39:16] - Do you suggest reading for quality or quantity with non-fiction books?  [41:34] - How do you apply your ideas to make sure your family can pursue a deeper life?  [43:25] - Is the deep life compatible with helping humanity?  [48:27]Thanks to 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.

8 Nov 202155min

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.DEEP DIVE: Is Overload Necessary? (Epic rant alert) [3:53]LISTENER CALLS: - Beyond the most important task of the day. [27:00]  - "Pseudo-blocking" household admin. [31:53]  - A doctor struggling to find leisure time. [36:47] - Defanging the internet with strategic browser plug-ins. [44:26] - Applying sprints outside of the tech sector. [49:35]Thanks to 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.

4 Nov 202154min

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 would you say you do here? [3:05]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - What time management strategies do you suggest if I work a 9-5 and want to pursue master's or phd? [13:32] - How to overcome productivity pr0n?  - Lifehacker addict is hung up on the fomo (fear of missing out) of potential shortcuts. [19:51]- could save time - How to time block deep work while juggling the demands of "in the moment questions". [25:03]- Pharmacist manager gets bogged down with constant questions despite needing time to do deep work. - How do you differentiate productive meditation with "day-dreaming mode" to solve problems?  [32:28]        - Relaxing the pre-frontal cortex - What are your thoughts on scaling up for sole proprietors? [35:37]- A digital marketer thinking of outsourcing for book keeping, etc.DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS: - What do you do/read to keep the path of living a deep life?  [38:57] - What's your class policy regarding your students and their phone use?  [42:38] - How do you combat confirmation bias as an author and academic?  [44:58]  - How do you balance reading new books and re-reading books (especially past ones that have proven valuable)?Thanks to 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.

1 Nov 202154min

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.DEEP DIVE: On Facebook, Misinformation, and the Death of Collaborative Curation [2:59]LISTENER CALLS: - My thoughts on speed reading. [21:29] - My system for writing New Yorker articles (routinizing demanding work). [24:43] - The importance of media for academic careers. [34:07] - Re-assessing linked note-taking. [40:02] - The absurdity of live study streams. [44:12] - Time blocking without a time-block planner. [51:21]Thanks to 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.

28 Okt 202155min

DEEP DIVE: Is the Era of Social Media Ending? [2:37]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS: - Did COVID-19 closures change my (Cal's) thoughts on my working situation? [18:01] - Should I stick with management consulting? [37:06] - How do I lead my organization away from email? [40:17] - How do I pick a specialization in a broad field? [44:55]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS: - Do I (Cal) use my smartphone for directions and photos? [48:48] - How do I choose my minor? [51:37] - What is something I (Cal) have changed my opinion on in recent years? [55:00] - Should I publish this book? [56:53] - Do I (Cal) regret becoming a public intellectual? [1:02:28]Thanks to 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 Okt 20211h 9min

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.DEEP DIVE: Smartphones and moral panics. [3:43]LISTENER CALLS: - Scheduling when you've fallen behind. [12:29] - Squandering autonomy. [18:06] - Hacking habits and the shortcomings of raw discipline. [26:11] - Tenure and valuable skills. [31:38] - Adding more to your plate without it tipping over. [36:24] - Frustration and the Deep Life (and an update on my next book). [42:41]Thanks to 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 Okt 202148min

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: Will Offices Survive the Pandemic? [6:01]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do I practice my writing better? [22:07] - Is it harder to write a dissertation or a book? [25:08] - Will 10-minute sitting breaks destroy my concentration? [29:04] - Am I good at time management or just lazy? [35:52] - How do I get the most out of an assistant who handles my inbox? [40:24]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - How do I structure all my leisure time when I have no kids? [44:13] - Is digital nomadism making a comeback? [46:53] - Are RSS feeds a good alternative to social media? [52:37] - How do I find fellow Deep Questions listeners to hang out with? [58:49]Thanks to 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 Okt 20211h 3min

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. - Interacting with potential clients while avoiding constant distraction. [2:10] - Self-promotion without social media. [8:21] - Dealing with an overflowing "to read" folder. [13:19] - Correcting weekly plan drift. [18:13] - The secrets of my high-volume reading. [22:47] - Personal vs. organizational productivity. [27:29] - Balancing deep and shallow work. [36:10]Thanks to 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.

14 Okt 202151min