Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 254: The Laws of Less


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Some of the most interesting and impactful people in the world build their work around a commitment to doing only a few things very well. No one remembers that it took Newton decades to finish The Principia, they just know that he wrote a book that changed science forever. In this episode, Cal defines some concrete laws for successfully implementing a shift toward doing less – but doing what you do better – in your own professional life. 

 

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 should I do less? [7:29] 

 

- How can a teacher embrace slow productivity? [31:26] 

- How do you know if an idea is good enough to spend years working on? [39:07] 

- How can I slowly build the success needed to pivot into a new career? [46:16] 

- How does Cal read 5 books a month? [49:58] 

 

CASE STUDY: I can do my job in 4 hours a day [55:53] 

 

The 5 Book Cal Read in May 2023 [1:07:04] 

 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

 

betterhelp.com/deepquestions 

cozyearth.com 

hensonshaving.com/cal 

drinklmnt.com/deep 

 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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Deep Questions with Cal NewportBy Cal Newport