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/podcast.BOOK REPORT: The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin [1:30]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How do I eliminate the hive mind from interaction with other departments? [13:36] - How do I capture small tasks so I don't forget them? [23:23] - How do I (Cal) feel about career counselors? [29:31] - Are there professions for which time blocking doesn't work? [33:42] - How do I organize my tasks without using task boards? [37:55] - Should I build a radical setting to support the deep life? [39:50] - How do I become the right person to write a book? [42:52]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - Can a digital minimalist use a fitness tracker? [54:33] - When should I switch from work to leisure? [56:27] - How do I get back on track with a deep life after a hard pandemic? [59:24] - What is my (Cal's) top piece of parenting advice? [1:02:04] - Cal's Curmudgeon Corner: How do I find meaning beyond simply expressing myself? [1:05:01]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.

12 Juli 20211h 19min

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. - Breaking up big projects into small tasks. [4:19]- The productivity baby steps (epic answer alert). [8:58]- Taming late night meetings. [26:02]- Best book of mine for college students. [34:45]- Shutdown routines with unpredictable schedules. [38:28]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.

8 Juli 202143min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.FROM THE NEWSLETTER: Notes on Quentin Tarantino's Writing Routine [3:39]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - How fluid are my quarterly plans? [17:00] - What is a good approach to take notes in meetings? [19:59] - What do you include ads o your podcast? [23:31] - How do I install a deep work mindset in my team? [25:25] - How do you (Cal) use Evernote? [32:37] - Am I planning an app version of my time-block planner? [35:30] - Any tips to help me actually do the things I have time blocked? [37:21]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - How do I stop embracing my distracting thoughts? [45:37] - How does a high school student find things to be interested in? [55:24] - How do I get started writing on an already popular topic? [59:42] - How does deep work relate to Dave Epstein's idea go Generalists vs. Specialists? [1:05:45]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.

5 Juli 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. - Why people get mad at me. [1:21]- Scheduling reading. [7:06]- Semester goals and time block planners. [11:41]- McKeown's effortlessness vs. Newport's automation. [25:05]- Translating the deep life into concrete action. [30:23]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 Juli 202135min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.BOOK REPORT: The Square and the Tower [3:6]DEEP WORK QUESTIONS - What should I do if I like my job but dislike the industry? [11:41] - How hard should I push back against a shallow company culture? [16:15] - Is productivity only for people with certain personality types? [25:05] - What is the best strategy for an aspiring academic? [27:30] - Should I ask experts or learn on my own? [29:23] - Can you tell me more about the CIA's mail tubes? [34:45] - How do I get on the New York Times bestseller list? [40:36]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - Is there value in keeping a daily record of significant activity? [49:50] - Can I pursue the deep life if I have mental health issues? [56:06] - Are there wrong ways to pursue the deep life? [1:00:22] - How much time do I (Cal) spend reading? [1:04:09]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 Juni 20211h 8min

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. - The hyperactive hive mind and the return to the office. [2:57]- Becoming productive. [12:23]- Time tracking apps. [24:51]- Scheduling continuous projects. [27:19]- Struggling with time blocking. [36:51]- Working on problems past when it's useful. [41:47]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.

24 Juni 202144min

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 WORK QUESTIONS:- How do I cultivate urgency for long-term projects? [2:49]- How do I learn more about deliberate practice? [11:54]- How do deal with an "open door" policy at work? [17:06]- How can I return to academia after taking an industry job? [19:57]- Does a commitment to deep work block me from management? [21:37]- How do I avoid distractions when working from home? [24:56]- Can condensed deep work rituals still be effective? [27:45]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:- How should I use boredom? [37:09]- Will organized schedules undermine my social life? [45:42]- What is my (Cal) take on Clubhouse? [52:11]- How can someone with few resources cultivate meaningful leisure? [56:48]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 Juni 20211h

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.  - Balancing work and school. [3:34] - Deep work and ADHD. [8:28] - Building career capital as an account executive. [15:15] - Do I know Naval Ravikant? P22:35] - Art without social media. [27:31] - Pursuing a PhD purely for passion. [33:53]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.

17 Juni 202139min