You can’t just turn a “work harder” or “relax” knob. Once you realize that productivity ideas can offer you great autonomy in shaping your life - however you decide to do that - your relationship with it becomes more nuanced and fruitful. Productivity can be understood as applying organization tools and deliberate processes to take back control of your obligations. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: Is productivity about optimization or autonomy? [6:06] - Should I start a blog to prepare to write a book? [23:18] - How do I recover from burn out? [30:11] - How do I prioritize when I have too many interests? [35:15] - Should I ditch my side hustle? [39:25] - How do I convince my self-focused colleagues to participate in more efficient group systems? [43:24] Something Interesting: - The five books I read in February 2023 [53:24] Links: vice.com/en/article/akdyje/the-relentless-rise-of-the-productivity-influence youtube.com/watch?v=YctcDlPixb8 Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Better Help: betterhelp.com/deepquestions blinkist.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep ladderlife.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

The relationship with time is one of the more interesting things going on in work culture. Many knowledge workers take on too much work and become overloaded. If we have less to do, our relationship with time can be repaired. So we have to think very concretely about building systems and mindsets that reduce how much we have to do. Life of Focus link here: life-of-focus-course.com Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: Is our relationship to time broken? [16:12] - Do we need AI-driven time management tools? (Rant alert) [39:39] - Is slow productivity compatible with becoming world class in a competitive field? [47:46] - What deep accomplishments are Cal and Jesse most proud about? [50:15] - CASE STUDY: A composer embraces slow productivity [59:40] Something Interesting: - Quiet quitting in academia? [1:08:35] Links: https://www.ft.com/content/176c104a-32c0-4267-b122-add10e5405f9 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/books/time-jenny-odell-.html https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00633-w Thanks to our Sponsors: https://www.hensonshaving.com/cal https://www.huel.com/questions https://www.stamps.com/deep https://www.80000hours.org/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

The reading life is a deep life. The screen-filled life can be primitive and exhausting. Which one do you want? Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: Why is it important to read books? [7:23] - Should I buy physical copies of books I enjoyed on my kindle? [30:45] - How should I organize my notes when writing a non-fiction book? [34:38] - How do I train myself to become a reader? [40:34] - How should I build a library? [50:25] - What does Cal think about Sam Bankman-Fried’s claim that books are worthless? [55:12] Something Interesting: [1:02:21] - Napoleon’s solution to inbox overload - Rethinking productivity: impact vs. velocity Links: abc.net.au/religion/maryanne-wolf-cultivating-deep-reading-in-a-digital-age/102001224 reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/11fphcy/til_napoleon_bonaparte_refused_to_open_his_mail/ itamargilad.com/velocity-vs-impact/ Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/tone mybodytutor.com blinkist.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: Should we consider a radically reimagined internet? [7:03] - Can we build a better internet? [29:20] - Will the coming augmented reality make the deep life impossible? [36:18] - How do I become more disciplined about shutting down my phone? [44:26] - Is the internet alive? [49:35] - How does Cal see the connection between his professor and writer roles? [55:40] Something Interesting: Michael Cera Doesn’t Use a Smartphone [1:10:47] Links: https://www.buzzfeed.com/mychalthompson/michael-cera-smartphone-social-media https://urbit.org https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/google-supreme-court-youtube.html Elevate Your Team Thanks to our Sponsors: https://www.hensonshaving.com/cal https://www.huel.com/questions https://www.mintmobile.com/deep https://www.policygenius.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: https://www.youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: How can I significantly decrease the footprint of my remote job (without anyone noticing)? [10:46] - How do I leverage a shift to remote work to gain a deeper life? [39:23] - How can I work deeply in a remote job that requires me to be available? [43:16] - How do I make time for my individual projects while working remotely? [53:47] - How do I avoid being promoted out of a nice remote position into a miserable management role? [55:35] CASE STUDY: Alternative Workflow Pitfalls [1:00:07] Something Interesting: The five books I read in January, 2023 [1:09:54] Links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/02/04/return-to-office-occupancy-status Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Better Help: https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions https://www.ladderlife.com/deep https://www.zocdoc.com/deep https://www.expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: Does Cal Still Think That Productivity is Overrated? [6:46] - Should I abandon my careful plan when I get on a roll? [30:47] - How do I achieve slow-and-steady work mode? [35:38] - How do I make my the most out of idle time? [41:37] - How does a deep work lover survive the shallows? [47:34] - Does productivity require that you’re anti-social? [51:16] Something Interesting: Rethinking productivity in academia [1:02:44] Links: calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/31/dangerous-ideas-productivity-is-overrated/ Thanks to our Sponsors: Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at stamps.com/deep. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! hensonshaving.com/cal blinkist.com/deep 80000hours.org/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: How can we be ambitious without burning out? [8:23] - How do I create a hit podcast? (Special guest JORDAN HARBINGER) [41:59] - How do I overcome boredom in my purposefully under-scheduled life? [1:01:57] - How do I manage multiple side hustle projects? [1:06:11] - Do I need two planning documents if I have two jobs? [1:13:14] - How do I get my 15-year-old brother to stop using his phone so much? [1:15:30] Something Interesting: The slow productivity of Maryam Mirzakhani [1:23:48] Links: screenrant.com/calvin-hobbes-bill-watterson-merchandising-lost-millions-reason/ web.archive.org/web/20150302235823/http://www.calnewport.com/blog wired.com/2014/08/maryam-mirzakhani-fields-medal/ thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-115-jordan-harbinger-what-is-the-future-of-podcasting/ Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/deep ladderlife.com/deep mybodytutor.com expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: How can I free myself from spending all day in my inbox? [8:24] - Why does Cal suggest having multiple email addresses? [43:27] - How do I convince my colleagues to actually read process-centric emails? [47:16] - How do I work with people who enjoy email check-ins? [52:16] - How do I get key information out of email an into a better system? [57:25] - How can I focus when my job demands an open door policy? [1:01:11] Something Interesting: Alex Haley wrote on a cargo ship [1:12:42] Links: affect.media.mit.edu/pdfs/16.Mark-CHI_Email.pdf tim.blog/autoresponse/ blog.rescuetime.com/communication-multitasking-switches/ www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/23/magazine/cal-newport-interview.html alexhaley.com/2018/08/04/aboard-the-african-star-by-alex-haley/ Thanks to our Sponsors: mintmobile.com/deep huel.com/questions hensonshaving.com/cal blinkist.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Today’s Deep Question: Why are lumberjacks happier than lawyers? [3:06] - Should I leave a good job to gain more autonomy? [32:34] - Should I quit my trainer job? [38:31] - What does Cal’s workday look like? [45:52] - How can I create a career without skills? [54:48] CASE STUDY: The Slow Lawyer [58:38] Books Cal Read in December [1:05:33] Links: - washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/06/happiest-jobs-on-earth/ - frugalwoods.com/2021/09/15/mr-fw-retired-and-we-paid-off-our-mortgage-frugalwoods-fire-is-complete/ - bench.co/blog/small-business-stories/paul-jarvis/ - calnewport.com/blog/2017/05/22/john-grishams-15-hour-workweek/ - itsfreetime.com/about Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Better Help: betterhelp.com/deepquestions huel.com/questions policygenius.com notion.com/cal Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP DIVE: Work Cycles [6:57] - Should I leave my relaxing job to make more money? [33:54] - Is there a need for deep work retreats? [45:59] - How do I find time to work deeply when I’m busy? [53:07] Case Study: On Walking and Remote Work [57:25] - Can Cal explain more about the “celebration” bucket? [1:02:09] SOMETHING INTERESTING: - Deep work cafe [1:10:28] cbsnews.com/news/manuscript-cafe-in-tokyo-serves-an-antidote-to-writers-block/ - Gloria Mark’s new book [1:12:50] amazon.com/Attention-Span-Finding-Fighting-Distraction/dp/1335449418 Links: basecamp.com/handbook/09-how-we-work bluemountaincenter.org/life-at-bmc cnn.com/travel/article/amtrak-free-residency/index.html myfranciscan.org/visit/hermitage/ Thanks to our Sponsors: 80000hours.org/deep blinkist.com/deep ladderlife.com/deep zocdoc.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia DEEP DIVE: How well are you living? [11:14] - How do you track deep life habits? [28:07] - How do I become more social? (Bonus: How does Cal avoid being killed by Jocko?) [34:15] - How do I distill essential ideas from complex topics? [46:13] - How does Cal research his articles? [53:49] - Should I get a Deep Life tattoo? [59:41] THREE INTERESTING THINGS: - Guillermo Del Toro Bought a Second House to Boost his Creativity [1:13:33] kpcc.org/show/the-frame/2016-07-22/bleak-house-a-tour-inside-guillermo-del-toros-creative-man-cave - Kary Mullis’s Nobel-Winning Moment of Insight [1:19:56] nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1993/mullis/lecture/ - Charles Dickens Wrote “A Christmas Carol” on Foot [1:22:38] Thanks to our Sponsors: stamps.com/deep grammarly.com/deep hensonshaving.com/cal mybodytutor.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo QUESTIONS: - How do I find time to study for a better job? [5:14] - How do I find rare and valuable skills to develop? [8:37] - How do I develop discipline if I have an easy job? [12:33] CASE STUDY: A graduate student with 5 kids takes control of his life [30:06] - Should I work or spend all my time with my son? [35:50] - How do I manage a strategic plan with lots of unpredictable projects? [42:54] - How does role-based communication work? [46:09] - How do I plan projects with unpredictable time demands? [50:58] - Should I move my family across the country to accept my dream job? [52:56] - How do you make time for Quality time with your wife with such a busy schedule? [58:43] - Does Cal write reports on the books he reads? [1:01:18] - Does slow productivity apply only to knowledge workers? [1:07:17] - Why do my side hustles fail? [1:10:35] Thanks to our Sponsors: https://www.notion.com/cal https://www.cozyearth.com https://www.blinkist.com/deep https://www.expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: A World Without Busyness? [4:51] - In an era of Quiet Quitting is it easier to become a star? [22:09] - How do I resist my job’s demand for out-of-hours work? [29:52] - Should new writers use social media to get feedback? [35:31] - Should I use social media to promote my filmmaking website? [46:11] - Am I too busy find new ideas? [53:54] THREE INTERESTING THINGS: - On Teenage Luddites [1:03:07] calnewport.com/blog/2022/12/16/on-teenage-luddites/ - Deep Work in Stocism [1:07:48] - Finding the Deep Life in the Mountains [1:09:09] outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/moving-to-a-ski-town-steamboat-springs-colorado-no-regrets/ Thanks to our Sponsors: ladderlife.com/deep eightsleep.com/deep wren.co/deep zocdoc.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo - DEEP DIVE: Should I Manage Time or Stress? [2:50] - How do I switch from a push to pull model of task management? [27:05] - Where should I live? [40:13] - Is “rare and valuable” the same as “impressive”? [49:01] - CALL: Integrating Deep Work to create a Deep Life [54:43] - How do I reconcile my lifestyle vision with my husbands very different vision? [58:09] - How does Cal structure his values document? [1:04:12] THREE INTERESTING THINGS: Twitter, Attention, and Democracy [1:14:28] (nytimes.com/2022/12/11/opinion/what-twitter-can-learn-from-quakers.html) Research: Walking Helps Thinking [1:22:10] (apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/xlm-a0036577.pdf ) Novelist Ian Rankin’s Slow Productivity [1:23:47] (theguardian.com/books/2016/may/07/my-writing-day-ian-rankin) Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deep rhone.com/cal blinkist.com/deep masterclass.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo - CALL: How do I balance different productivity systems? [5:24] - How do I deal with a sudden increase in my work responsibilities? [12:29] - How use the “waiting for” column on my task board when crafting a weekly plan? [18:39] - If I adopt a natural pace to my work will I lose the race to success? [30:57] - Should I quit my job to pursue a new business idea? [45:04] - How do I handle a short period of having too much work? [50:20] - I’ve lost my will to work. What do I do? [56:28] - Does Cal get annoyed when people incorrectly cite his ideas? [1:02:56] Books I Read in November 2022 [1:11:39] Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.com rhone.com/cal blinkist.com/deep expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: Did Alan Turing Invent The Computer? [5:25] INTERVIEW: Thriller writer J.T. Ellison [25:23] Thanks to our Sponsors: policygenius.com eightsleep.com/deep hensonshaving.com/cal Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at stamps.com/deep. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: A World Without Twitter? [7:28] bit.ly/3hQ9Wh4 LIVE CALLER: Starting a new company alone [34:28] - How do I (carefully) convince my employer to embrace Deep Work? [51:48] - I just quit my job. How do I reset my life? [1:03:36] - How do I deal with having too much freedom in my job? [1:10:09] - CALL: Which tool should I bring when I only have room for one? [1:17:53] - Who does Cal personally admire? [1:23:43] THREE INTERESTING THINGS: - A novel solution to cell phones in schools [1:41:57] bit.ly/3i2olHd - The age of social media ending. Welcome to my party! [1:47:19] bit.ly/3gosVit - Eat, pray, herd [1:50:26] wsj.com/3tOv6za Thanks to our Sponsors: grammarly.com/deep eightsleep.com/deep ladderlife.com/deep wren.co/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: Could This Meeting Have Been An Email? [5:48] bit.ly/3EDcuZ0 Questions for special guest host David Sax: - Is the Light Phone worth the money? [28:38] - How do I get started seeking higher quality leisure? [38:43] - How do I become a successful freelance writer? [49:01] - How do I make technical writing compelling? [1:08:03] - How do I kick my podcast habit while trying to work? [1:15:06] - Do weekly plans have to cover exactly one week? [1:18:44] - Should I join the Overemployed Underground? [1:26:36] Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.com eightsleep.com/deep blinkist.com/deep zocdoc.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: Did Caveman Use To-Do Lists? [1:28] Article Link: bit.ly/3NYRbnF - LIVE CALL: Debating a master’s program [27:59] - How do I practice the “journalistic” mode of scheduling deep work? [37:32] - How do I determine when something I’m working on is good enough? [44:20] - Should I take two months off work to write in a cabin? [49:14] - Is answering email quickly really a good marker of talent? [53:45] - Is there a tutorial for Cal’s planning system? [1:00:04] - When is the new version of the Time Block Planner coming? [1:01:34] CASE STUDY: A Freelancer Crafts a Deep Life [1:04:18] CAL REACTS: New Insights on Kids and Phones [1:16:33] School Took Smartphones Away: on.wsj.com/3Trj4G3 Social Media and Teenage Mental Health: bit.ly/3A3KN99 Thanks to our Sponsors: rhone.com/cal blinkist.com/deep hensonshaving.com/cal expressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo DEEP DIVE: The 20% Paradox [4:54] - INTERVIEW with Yael Schonbrun [18:59] - Cal and Jesse talk about Schonbrun interview [1:13:18] MAILBAG: [1:24:00] - Twitter is losing its most active users https://www.reuters.com/technology/exclusive-where-did-tweeters-go-twitter-is-losing-its-most-active-users-internal-2022-10-25/ Thanks to our Sponsors: policygenius.com hensonshaving.com/cal amazon.com/deep mybodytutor.com Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.