Ep. 350: Is Inbox Zero Possible?

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

The white whale of modern productivity discourse is achieving an empty email inbox; a goal state that’s often referred to simply as “inbox zero.” In this episode, Cal looks at why the original advice for achieving inbox zero failed and explores a strategy that might work better. He then answers listener questions and in a final segment reacts to a recent guest on the Tim Ferriss podcast who provides an interesting case study of the deep life in action.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

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

Deep Dive: Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:45]

How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:40]
How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [34:55]
How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:08]
How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:34]

CALL: Identifying the next action [44:02]

CALL: Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:33]

CAL REACTS: Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:18]

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?
youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep
auraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]
kinsta.com/deepquestions
udacity.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

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

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:

– Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:44]

QUESTIONS:

– How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:47]
– How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [35:02]
– How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:5]
– How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:41]

CALLS:

– Identifying the next action [44:15]
– Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:45]

CAL REACTS:

– Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:25]

YOUTUBE TITLE

– Stop Feeling Inbox Overwhelmed: A System For Finding Peace, Focus & Productivity | 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.youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.cozyearth.com/deep
https://www.auraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]
https://www.kinsta.com/deepquestions
https://www.udacity.com/deep

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

DEEP QUESTIONS