Embracing Self-Awareness for Better Productivity

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Episode 3308:

Cal Newport explores the surprising difficulty of simple tasks and challenges our assumptions about productivity. He questions the reliability of traditional productivity methods, highlighting the unpredictable nature of motivation. Newport suggests a shift from rigid control to a more adaptive approach, focusing on awareness and energy management.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2007/09/26/dangerous-ideas-what-if-everything-we-thought-was-true-about-productivity-was-wrong/

Quotes to ponder:

"It seems that the general paradigm shift at play here is one away from rigid control over your entire work day and toward one where you acknowledge a big part of your motivation is out of your control."

"Many times, however, I can’t stand the thought of it."

"The slump is the evil twin to the groove."

Episode references:

The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Full-Engagement-Managing-Performance/dp/0743226755

Csikszentmihalyi's Flow: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202

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