Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

OPENING CHAT

The 5 Books I Read in November (Bonus Rant: Why did Jurassic Park need an assessment from a chaos theoretician?) [00:17]

DEEP WORK QUESTIONS

– Is it worth becoming good at skills that you only need short term? [19:59]
– How do I seem present online when working on side projects? [24:57]
– Should I revise my weekly plan if things change? [30:55]
– How should I manage reading I want to do? [34:15]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

– How can I take a deep approach to networking? [41:05]
– How can I focus on deep work with so much suffering around me? [45:45]
– How do I teach my students to not buy into the hyperactive hive-mind? [52:25]
– What’s your (Cal’s) advice for “jack of all trades” people who want to become so good they can’t be ignored? [54:26]

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