Ep. 312: Productivity Basics

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcastVideo from today’s episode:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjDEEP DIVE: Is Ambition Worth It? [2:45]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- Should you ditch your to-do list with slow productivity mindset? [27:20]- What should I do while waiting for code to compile? [33:20]- What do you do when you get tired? [36:26]- How do I succeed as a postdoc? [39:17]- What do you eat to support Deep Work? [42:04]- What is your updated advice about “temporary plans”? [49:53]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- How do I balance deep work personal pursuits? [56:35]- At what age will Cal allow his kids to have phones and social media? [1:00:11]- Is Cal’s outlook on the future too optimistic? [1:02:52]- I followed my passion. Am I screwed? [1:08:51]Thanks to our Sponsors:Blinkist:  Blinkist.com/DeepAthletic Greens:  Athleticgreens.com/deepJUST EGGNew Relic:  Newrelic.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.

28 Feb 20221h 13min

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:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjDEEP DIVE: Is TikTok a Good Thing? [2:47]CALLS:- Deep work for sales. [16:10]- Where to find arguments I disagree with. [20:18]- Little bets. [25:37]- Taming information overload. [39:45]- Minimalism as a med student. [48:56]Thanks to our Sponsors:Headspace:  Headspace.com/QUESTIONSBlinkist:  Blinkist.com/DEEPMunk Pack:  MunkPack.com - Enter code DEEPJUST EggThanks 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 Feb 202256min

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:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjCORE IDEAS: The Deep Life [4:55]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- Does time blocking work with ADHD? [33:39]- How should I approach my PhD? [35:38]- How can I meet other deep workers? [39:40]- How can I improve Zoom meetings? [44:19]- How do I shutdown while watching kids? [47:21]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- How do I balance my personal and professional life? [57:12]- How do I pick a major if I can’t follow my passion? [59:27]- Is there a place where I can find all of the ideas from this podcast? [1:04:45]Thanks to our Sponsors:Headspace:  Headspace.com/QUESTIONSBlinkist:  Blinkist.com/DEEPMunk Pack:  MunkPack.com - Enter code DEEPJUST Egg  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.

21 Feb 20221h 8min

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:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjBEHIND THE CURTAIN: Jesse asks Cal questions about his life.  [2:41]- Listening to arguments on both sides of an issue. [24:49]- Designing a fantastic gap year. [33:51]- Juggling too many hobbies. [42:27]- Struggling to stay disciplined with home chores. [46:56]- Cal’s thoughts on the Metaverse. [58:58]Thanks to our Sponsors:My Body Tutor:  MyBodyTutor.com: Mention “Deep Questions” for $50 off 1st monthAthletic Greens:  Athleticgreens.com/deepStamps.com:  Stamps.com - Use promo code “Deep”Grammarly:  Grammarly.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.

17 Feb 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:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjCORE IDEA:  Deep Work [5:10]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- How much should I care about promoting my work? [28:07]- When do you write your weekly plan? [33:22]- What does Cal think about digital notebooks? [34:00]- Why is everyone so bad at email? [36:45]- What is Cal’s advice for a distracted high school student? [40:02]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- Does disconnection improve creativity? [50:57]- How do I teach my kids to focus? [57:52]- How do I get my students off their phones? [1:02:20]- What does Cal think about the book “Four-Thousand Weeks”? [1:05:21]Thanks to our Sponsors:My Body Tutor:  MyBodyTutor.com: Mention “Deep Questions” for $50 off 1st monthAthletic Greens:  Athleticgreens.com/deepStamps.com:  Stamps.com - Use promo code “Deep”Grammarly:  Grammarly.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.

14 Feb 20221h 8min

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: tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjCal's January Books: [2:00]Listener Calls:- Implementing the deep life [21:30]- Physical vs. e-books [33:33]- Finding hobby motivation [37:39]- Asking for help [45:14]- Deep student life [52:34]- Deep work for a new father [1:04:27]Thank you to this episode's Sponsors:Policy Genius:  Policygenius.comCentered:           centered.app/deepquestionsMagic Spoon:    magicspoon.com/calExpressVPN:     expressvpn.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.

10 Feb 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:  tinyurl.com/b2rkctfjCORE IDEAS: Is Slow Productivity the Solution to Burnout? [2:58]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:- How does Cal manage information?  [35:56]- What notebooks does Cal use? [38:52]- What’s the deep approach to job searching? [44:20]- What did Cal’s readers learn about deep work? [48:00] -Can I work deeply for more than 4 hours a day? [55:46]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- How should Cal’s time management advice be adjusted for students from underrepresented backgrounds? [1:04:58]- How do I survive college admissions craziness? [1:09:47]Thanks to our Sponsors:Policy Genius:  Policygenius.comCentered:  centered.app/deepquestionsMagic Spoon:  magicspoon.com/calExpressVPN:  expressvpn.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.

7 Feb 20221h 23min

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: Don’t Follow Your Passion   [3:07]- Dividing time between multiple pursuits. [17:38]- Implementing ideas from A World Without Email in small businesses. [22:17]- Estimating the tie required to complete tasks. [27:42]- Organizing household space for productivity. [34:12]- Tips for passing a highly competitive exam. [43:01]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.

3 Feb 202251min