On this episode, Cal Newport joins me to talk about his latest book, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. He is a computer science professor at Georgetown University and is a self-professed blogging nerd. He is also the author of six books, focusing on topics related to professional productivity, personal satisfaction and the intersection of technology and society.

My guest this time around is Cal Newport. Cal is a friend of mine and I’ve always loved chatting with him. This episode is no exception. We dived into a lot, talking about how I tend to share cool things on Facebook, the concept of “keeping things in boxes”, and being more intentional with birthday notifications – all in the name of what Cal has dubbed “Digital Minimalism.”

Talking Points

More of less is more: The rise of minimalism in the physical and digital world

Gaining meaning back into your life through less digital presence

Lifestyle philosophy over lifehacks, tips and tricks

Keeping boxes packed and installing only apps you miss

Clutter is costly: The negative cost that offsets the ‘benefits’ of clutter

Optimization is important: Make digital platforms work for you instead of you working for them

Intentionality trumps convenience: Reorienting your life to the things that provide most value

Quality analog friendships: Our lives pre-2007 and why Facebook birthday notifications is a giant Ponzi scheme 

Mindset shifts to make minimalism sustainable

Quote

“Digital minimalism is a movement. There’s a lot of people out there doing this. These are the people you see who are not looking at their phone when they’re waiting in line, they’re enjoying something outside and not documenting it, they have long conversations with friends where they don’t have a phone with them, they’re the guys building a canoe in their woodshed and haven’t seen their phone in three hours. They have so much more meaning and satisfaction they’re getting out of their lives.” 

Relevant Links

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World

Deep Work with Cal Newport | The Productivityis Podcast

Leo Babauta | Zen Habits

Joshua Becke | Becoming Minimalist

Courtney Carver | Be More with Less

Ryan & Joshua | The Minimalists

Packing Party: Unpack a Simpler Life

Sensible Defaults | Patrick Rhone

Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator for Chrome and Mozilla

Instapaper

Buffer

Cal Newport

I’m pleased to bring you this insightful conversation between me and Cal. The two of us can just talk for hours and cover so many things; I look forward to having him on again soon. I hope you’ll find this episode packed with tidbits to help you deal with your digital (and life) clutter.

Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.

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