Ep. 254: The Laws of Less

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

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.

Some of the most interesting and impactful people in the world build their work around a commitment to doing only a small number of 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.

Link to submit questions: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

TODAY’S DEEP QUESTION:

– Why should I do less? [8:18]

QUESTIONS:

– How can a teacher embrace slow productivity? [31:15]
– How do you know if an idea is good enough to spend years working on? [39:05]
– How can I slowly build the success needed to pivot into a new career? [20:40]
– How does Cal read 5 books a month? [49:54]