The Cal Newport Show

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on taming writer's block, the exaggerated importance of digital presence, and the miseries of digital living, among many other topics. I also play some question roulette and give an update on the current status and ambitious future plans for my Deep Work HQ.

I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport

Please 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

* Using music to help focus [1:58]
* Limits on deep work quantities [3:07]
* Teaching a team to value depth [7:36]
* Taming writer's block [16:14]
* Deciding whether to pursue an MBA [18:58]
* Measuring success in academia [21:37]
* Taking breaks from time blocking [25:03]


QUESTION ROULETTE [28:47]


TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS

* Thoughts on iPads + Apple pencil as productivity booster [35:52]
* Overcoming the paradox of choice with productivity apps [38:17]
* YouTube detoxing [43:12]
* Organizing academic research [44:59]
* The false necessity of building a digital presence [47:19]

WHAT I'M UP TO 
* A closer look at Deep Work HQ [53:08]


DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

* Instilling focus in kids [1:02:22]
* On the value of my hyper-focused fitness [1:05:55]
* Conversing with distracted people [1:12:50]
* Managing multiple projects [1:15:44]
* Unsolicited Sermon: The miseries of a life lived on screens [1:19:53]


Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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: 

* Problems settling on a productivity system [1:01] 
* Figuring out which professional skill to improve [7:20] 
* The difference between boredom and solitude [21:12] 
* Craving depth in a shallow job [32:20] 
* Keystone habits [38:39]

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on calendar shaming, digital detox struggles, and the unexpected challenges of gaining more professional autonomy, among many other topics.

I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport

Please 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

* Modernizing GTD [2:18]
* Calendar Shaming [7:59]
* How I keep track of projects [14:15]
* Staying relevant when less connected [16:29]
* The inherent unpredictability of kids and facing the productivity dragon [19:21]
* Quantifying career capital [25:09]

AUDIO QUESTION OF THE DAY [28:17]

TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS

* Dealing with screen time overload [31:36]
* Is a Kindle a screen? [36:32]
* The relative depth of books versus podcasts [36.48]
* Digital detox struggles [39:26]
* Instagram struggles (hint: my suggestion starts with a ‘Q’ and rhymes with ‘bit’) [44:02]

QUESTION ROULLETE [45:49]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

* Interviewing people you want to emulate [49:04]
* Dealing with psychological hurdles such as negative self-talk and impostor syndrome  [54:30]
* Learning hard things fast [1:03:53]
* Vitamin solitude [1:05:24]
* The challenges of autonomy [1:07:54]
*  Understanding those upset by depth [1:11:05]


Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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: 

*  outsourcing household work [1:46]

* mitigating the damage caused by unavoidable distractions [6:45]

* the utility of fancy flashcard software [12:43] 

* tips for becoming a professor [24:04] 

* productivity beyond basic lists [34:01] 

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on delegating without email, effective methods for fighting imposter syndrome, and my take on critical theory (which leads to an impromptu history seminar, which is the price one pays for asking an academic a question about academic theory),  among many other topics.

I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport

Please 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

* Effective delegation (hint: don't send an email) [8:09]
* Bosses with varied productivity styles [16:25]
* Crucial skills for the 21st century [18:54]
* The danger of using a pseudonym to evade imposter syndrome [23:34]
* How I choose my career [26:23]
* Optimal specificity for daily plans [29:40]
* Advice for someone new to writing [33:55]

QUESTION ROULETTE [35:43]

TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS

* My thoughts on smart watches [38:49]
* Using "memory palaces" to train your brain (random story alert) [40:56]
* Moving tasks out of email, even if annoying [44:52]
* The limited use of social media for a non-established writer [46:29]
* My thoughts on the Boycott Facebook movement [48:11]

DEEP LIFE QUESTION

* The secret to my "smooth" answers to questions [50:38]
* Getting back on track after a professional failure [54:14]
* Sticking with a job you dislike [59:32]
* An impromptu history seminar on critical theory [1:05:00]

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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: 

* Does capturing thoughts diminish deep work? [2:09]

* Trouble relaxing after periods of intense focus. [7:37]

* Should you list specific tasks on time block schedules? [14:23]

* Time blocking for jobs with regular unexpected emergencies. [18:46]

* What administrators can do to help teachers work deeply. [26:08]

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing or leaving a rating/review.

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on deep work in groups, the double-edge sword of deploying social media in politics, and a discussion of the most common objection about my work, among many other topics.

You can submit your audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport

I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com.

Please 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 work in groups [1:42]
* Rethinking the "Dorsey Exception" [3:52]
* The wrong reason to pursue a PhD [9:04]
* Background noise and distraction [10:10]
* Managing tedious life admin [14:02]
* Turning down a promotion to avoid shallow work [22:30]
* Audio Question of the Day: Can attention residue ever be positive? [25:32]
* Staying up on news in depressing times [30:57]
* Thoughts on the Kindle [35:00]
* Thoughts on the Pomodoro Technique [38:00]
* Social media and politics [41:23]
* Deep work versus social media [47:20]
* Question Roulette: When will depth become mainstream? [50:31]
* Habits to pick up in childhood [54:56]
* How students can cultivate a deep life [57:02]
* Recharging during deep work breaks [1:02]
* Uncommon sources of high quality leisure [1:05]
* Teaching the deep life to children [1:06]
* The strongest arguments against my work [1:08]

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" 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: 

* Figuring out where to publish different types of writing [1:29]

* Balancing two careers [7:08]

* On productivity in support roles [13:04]

* Keeping all aspects of the deep life in balance [22:22]

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing. 

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on where I work (hint: an absurd number of different places), convincing students to disconnect, and applying deep work to deep social problems, among many other topics.

I need more audio questions for my habit tune-up mini-episodes. You can submit your audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport

I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com.

Please consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners consider the show).

Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:

 * My (many) deep work environments [1:50] 

 * Law firms are deep work disasters [6:42] 
 
 * On the deepness of business development efforts [13:03] 

 * Deep work for high school teachers [14:17] 

 * The danger of using random masters degree to "fix" your professional life [17:04] 

 * On becoming a great thinker (in graduate school) [18:26] 

 * Question Roulette: coping with mission failure. [20:12]

 * My book writing toolbox [24:38] 

 * The myth of the necessity of social media for professional success (rant alert!) [26:56] 

 * Getting students to disconnect [31:19] 

 * On social media and democratization movements [34:48]

 * The right order to teach my books [39:54] 

 * Moving past repeated failures to minimize technology use [44:48] 

 * Finding motivation to get things done (sermon alert!) [44:48] 

 * Deep work on deep social problems [52:37] 


Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.

Here are the topics we cover: 

* Advice on using "office hours" to reduce email [1:51] 

* Random thoughts and internet rabbit holes [11:18]

* Fear of mistakes crippling productivity [16:27]

* Escaping to phone when tried at work [22:11]

* The secret to making deep work deeper [25:10]

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please considering subscribing. 

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices