Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement

3640: "Write Every Day" is Bad Advice: Hacking the Psychology of Big Projects by Cal Newport


Listen Later

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3640:

Cal Newport challenges the popular “write every day” mantra by revealing how it can backfire for ambitious, cognitively demanding projects. Instead, he advocates for a more strategic approach, optimizing your schedule to make space for deep work while managing motivational psychology with intentionality and clarity.

Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2013/01/13/write-every-day-is-bad-advice-hacking-the-psychology-of-big-projects/

Quotes to ponder:

"Big projects are psychologically daunting. We fear them."

"Working consistently, but not necessarily every day, ensures you preserve the psychological connection to the project."

"When you do work, work deeply. Depth generates value faster than shallow repetition."

Episode references:

The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026

Deep Work: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-ImprovementBy Justin Malik

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

2,993 ratings


More shows like Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement

View all
Daily Boost Motivation and Coaching by Scott Smith - Motivation and Coaching

Daily Boost Motivation and Coaching

1,360 Listeners

TED Health by TED

TED Health

1,428 Listeners

Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

Good Life Project

3,324 Listeners

The Mindset Mentor by Rob Dial

The Mindset Mentor

13,617 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,774 Listeners

Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice by Optimal Living Daily | Diania Merriam

Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice

1,266 Listeners

Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition by Optimal Living Daily | Dr. Neal Malik

Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition

678 Listeners

Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship by Optimal Living Daily | Dan W.

Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship

217 Listeners

Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting by Optimal Living Daily | Greg Audino

Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting

307 Listeners

The Science of Happiness by PRX and Greater Good Science Center

The Science of Happiness

1,888 Listeners

7 Good Minutes by Clyde Lee Dennis

7 Good Minutes

696 Listeners

Self Improvement Daily by Best You 2025

Self Improvement Daily

319 Listeners

The Motivated Mind by Scott Lynch

The Motivated Mind

414 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,382 Listeners

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos by Pushkin Industries

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

14,419 Listeners

How to Be a Better Human by TED

How to Be a Better Human

1,390 Listeners