Ep. 308: The Power of the Quiet Mind

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: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjCORE IDEA:  Time Management  [4:37]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- What does deliberate practice look like for computer programming? [30:15]- Is it rational to quit your job if it implies a potential harm to society? [36:04]- When is deep work not the most important metric? [39:04]- Should I stay a job where the management actively tries to stifle productivity? [42:46]- What are your (Cal’s) tips for a mother of two small kids getting her masters? [51:15]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- Is raising kids part of the deep life or an obstacle to achieving it?  [1:00:22]- Is listening to audiobooks just as beneficial as reading hard-copy books? [1:04:55]- How do I accomplish a digital detox when all of my leisure involves my phone? [1:06:07]- How can high school students excel without SATs? [1:11:06]- Should I worry about social media getting me fired from my job? [1:12:21]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.

31 Jan 20221h 17min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.Videos of today’s questions: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjDEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- How should we use a ticketing system?  [4:15]- Should I resign after my boss does? [9:19]- Are breaks to rest your eyes considered context switching? [13:10]- How do you time block long but ambiguous intellectual activity?  [21:49] - How do you get back to scheduling after a vacation? [24:57] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- Is it okay for a one activity to fit into two different deep life buckets? [29:51] - How do I live deeply with a demanding job (i.e., should I quit my law partner job?) [33:51]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.

27 Jan 202244min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.ANNOUNCEMENT: Videos of the podcast are now live! (You can find then here: https://tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjDEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- How do I decide how much work is enough? [13:35] - How do I eliminate post-shutdown anxiety? [28:15]- How do I get back to work effectively after a lunch break? [37:43]- Why don’t you (Cal) use Zettelkasten? [40:09]- How do I limit activities that aren’t important for my long-term success a new job? [46:20]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- How do you (Cal) stay focused on campus when surrounded by “woke-ness”? [52:44] - How do you (Cal) keep sane as a published author? [58:31]- How do you “count” time that is between deep work and deep leisure? [1:02:24]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.

24 Jan 20221h 4min

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.OPENING DISCUSSION: How I schedule podcastingLISTENER CALLS:- My thoughts on psychedelics and the pursuit of awe. [8:38]- Time-block planning for the visually impaired. [19:07]- Struggling to escape a job. [23:24]- Concerns about book editors. [33:26]- My blog writing process. [43:41]- The deep life vs. the good life [48:49]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.

20 Jan 202255min

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: Why Are We Burnt Out?  [1:31]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- Should I exercise before or after deep work?  [20:28]- Why plan every quarter instead of every month or year? [23:56]- How do I master a hard technical skill?  [26:12]- What does my (Cal) knowledge management system look like? [30:17] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- Are my (Cal’s) online courses applicable to people with ADHD?  [40:37]- How do I apply deep work to my busy life?  [45:10]- How do I balance work, school, and kids?  [49:45]- What are my (Cal’s) thoughts on sleep?  [52:36]- How do I (Cal) think about earnings and personal finance? [56:23]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.

17 Jan 20221h 2min

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.LISTENER CALLS:- Optimal amounts of advanced scheduling. [6:46]- Recommendations for not going overboard with strategic planning. [14:31] - Training for hard intellectual work. [19:12]- Convincing students to limit social media (rant alert). [28:30]- Keeping eyes healthy. [43:45] 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.

13 Jan 202255min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.OPENING CHAT: The Books I Read in December 2021DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- How do I handle insecurity about my writing ability? [35:39]- How do I balance non-work and work activities? [39:51]- How can I take regular breaks to avoid eye strain? [43:53]- How can I reduce anxiety around long term projects? [45:43]- How should academic handle paper rejections? [48:36]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- What are your (Cal’s) thoughts on fasting and deep work? [54:59]- How should I maintain a healthy body posture while at the computer? [01:00:56]- How do I stick with habits for more than a couple days? [01:01:55]- How does a digital minimalist find interesting books to read? [01:04:57]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 Jan 20221h 6min

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.LISTENER CALLS:- Getting better vs. selling harder. [3:29]- Convincing a girlfriend to use less social media [9:15]- Time-blocking tips [20:29]- Ambition and the deep life [26:17]- Advice of an ideal desk set up [32:56]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.

6 Jan 202241min