Ep. 317: The 10-Year Rule

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about organizing massive projects, taming IM, and elaborating the books I would include in the Deep Life Canon.To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can also submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:DEEP DIVE: The Deep Reset, Part 1WORK QUESTIONS - The limits of deliberate practice? [12:09] - Getting started on massive projects. [20:11]  - Social media and the dissemination of academic research. [25:04] - Digital time blocking. [31:59] - My opinion on GTD-style contexts. [35:50]   - When a job requires social media use. [40:01] TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS - Taming IM. [42:13] - How to attend online classes. [50:08] - Breaking a YouTube addiction. [1:00:30] - Controlling heavy RSS use. [1:03:40] - On the phenomenology of technology. [1:06:31] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS - Deciding when to give up on a book [1:12:25]. - Dealing with an overwhelming amount of advice. [1:14:05] - Living deeply in high school. [1:17:30]  - The Deep Life Canon. [1:23:47]Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

30 Nov 20201h 34min

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.Here are the topics we cover:* Time blocking versus calendar planning [6:07]* Deep work for professional athletes [12:24]* Capturing non-urgent ideas [21:33] * Distracted by rumination [35:09]* Prioritizing interesting projects [43:17]Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 Nov 202049min

In this episode of DEEP QUESTIONS we're joined by a guest host: Brad Stulberg.Brad is a bestselling writer who focuses on human performance. He's known for his books PEAK PERFORMANCE and THE PASSION PARADOX, as well as for his popular "Do It Better" column for Outside Magazine.We go deep on Brad's story, using it to illustrate timeless points on burnout, recovery, transformation, and intentional living. We also talk about the unexpected television commercial that helped vault his first book to success and, of course, answer your questions.You can find out more about Brad at https://www.bradstulberg.com/To submit your own questions for this podcast, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com.Thank you to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

23 Nov 20201h 48min

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.Here are the topics we cover: Opening: When did productivity become personal? (My new article for The New Yorker.)* Becoming so good they can't ignore you as a teacher [19:07]* Finding focused after receiving emotional emails [30:18]* Scheduling deep work amidst unpredictable childcare [43:19]* Fitting a large amount of leisure into a small amount of free time [52:19]Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

19 Nov 20201h 1min

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about dealing my Trello setup, reducing student screen time, and our collective need for a "deep reset," among many other topics.To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:WORK QUESTIONS* Entry level jobs and shallow work [11:24]* The future of bullshit jobs [16:25]* Staying in the zone over the weekend [23:09]* Deciding what to read as an academic [26:45]* Calibrating academic service [29:15]* Revisiting my 2009 advice on grad school [34:43]* Deep work with a new kid [44:50]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS* My Trello setup [50:06]* Reducing student screen time [54:46]* Boredom versus high quality diversions [58:37]* Note-taking apps [1:07:25]* Agile methodologies and deep work [1:10:11]DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS* Young mother seeking better friends [1:17:05] * Young father seeking improvement [1:21:36] * Kids versus career [1:27:45]* Thoughts on the Astros [1:29:23]* My call for a “Deep Reset” [1:29:48] Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Nov 20201h 38min

In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.Here are the topics we cover: * Prioritizing tasks when you have too much to do [9:28]* Making the most of the weekend [18:53]* Balancing my academic and writing obligations [26:42]* Improving reading habits [35:25]* Resisting radicalization (sermon alert) [41:07]Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 Nov 202057min

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about dealing with unproductive days, avoiding curated content fatigue, and the importance of developing character, among many other topics.To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:OPENING: The terribleness of my recent experiment with constant online news consumption.WORK QUESTIONS* Dealing with unproductive days [11:50] * My system versus David Allen’s systems [15:16] * The timeline for developing deep habits [22:35]* Assessing your own career capital [31:17] * The road to academic superstardom [36:05] * Ideal number of working hours [45:28] * Building a reasonable schedule for an unreasonable workload [51:32]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS* Avoiding curated content fatigue [53:41]* Capture technology [58:22]* The plan for this podcast [1:00:19]* Music and concentration [1:07:01]* Instant messaging and distraction [1:08:02] DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS* Essentialism versus the deep life [1:13:48] * Deep home life [1:16:57] * My ideal work environment [1:23:37]* Character and the deep life [1:27:58] Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Nov 20201h 37min

In this special episode of DEEP QUESTIONS, I rebroadcast a conversation recorded earlier this summer, featuring me and the bestselling author Greg McKeown. It originally aired on Greg's fantastic podcast, WHAT'S ESSENTIAL (https://gregmckeown.com/podcast/).You probably know Greg from his influential 2014 book, ESSENTIALISM, which I recommend all the time. In this conversation, we talk about unplugging from distraction, the art of doing less (without accomplishing less), and how to improve your ability to focus.I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to our sponsors Magic Spoon (use magicspoon.com/CAL to receive free shipping) and Blinkist (use blinkist.com/DEEP for a 7 day free trial).Also thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Nov 202053min