Ep. 312: Productivity Basics

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

It’s mid-summer, people have some extra breathing room in their schedule, they’re relaxed. This moment of quiet seems like a perfect time to revisit some of this show’s most popular ideas about finding productivity in a world drowning in digital distractions. In this episode, Cal reviews his five most effective productivity related ideas. He then answers reader questions and reviews the seven books he read in July 2024.

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

Deep Dive: Productivity Basics [2:55]

– How closely should I schedule my leisure activities? [46:32]

– How do I time block a day that lasts longer than 11 hours? [51:57]

– Can I save mental energy at work to be more alive outside of work? [58:59]

– How do I actually motivate myself to execute the work I planned? [1:04:38]

– Am I obsessing over the right things for promotion? [1:10:16]

– CALL: Dealing with AI driven calendars [1:16:29]

FINAL SEGMENT: The 7 Books Cal Read in July 2024 [1:26:11]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zocdoc.com/deep

expressvpn.com/deep

drinklmnt.com/deep

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

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

Download my FREE Deep Life Guide HERE: https://bit.ly/3QBIcug

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

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

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

DEEP DIVE:

– Productivity Basics [2:55]

QUESTIONS:

– How closely should I schedule my leisure activities? [46:33]
– How do I time block a day that lasts longer than 11 hours? [51:58]
– Can I save mental energy at work to be more alive outside of work? [59:02]
– How do I actually motivate myself to execute the work I planned? [1:04:38]
– Am I obsessing over the right things for promotion? [1:10:29]

CALL:

– Dealing with AI driven calendars [1:16:34]

JULY BOOKS:

– The 7 Books Cal Read in July, 2024 [1:26:20]

YOUTUBE TITLE:

– How To Not Waste Your Time – 5 Keys To Master Productivity & Reinvent Your Life | Cal Newport

LINKS:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Order a signed copy of “Slow Productivity” here: https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/authors-top-books-21st-century.html

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions
https://www.zocdoc.com/deep
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep
https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep

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

DEEP QUESTIONS