Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 31: RYAN HOLIDAY on Ranch Life, Fostering Discipline, and the Loss of Reading Culture
Ryan Holiday, bestselling author and stoicism advocate, shares insights from his life on a ranch. He discusses fostering discipline and the impact of our declining reading culture. The conversation touches on the trend of relocating to Austin, the balance of urban and rural life, and the interplay of solitude and creativity. Holiday also delves into his reading habits and the evolving definitions of success in writing, emphasizing personal fulfillment over external validation.
01:15:59
Ranch Life Benefits
- Ryan Holiday finds having 40 acres provides freedom and a connection to nature.
- His family takes nightly walks, observing wildlife like deer and coyotes.
Dedicated Workspace
- Create a dedicated workspace free from distractions.
- Move personal items out of your main living space to improve focus and relationships.
Environmental Priming
- Design your environment to prime your mind for the desired mood and work.
- Use art, inspiring quotes, and personal mementos to create a "sacred space."
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
The Great Migration: California to Texas
04:29 • 3min
Balancing Urban and Rural Life
07:45 • 4min
Cultivating Creativity Through Clarity
12:05 • 8min
The Interplay of Solitude and Discipline in Creative Work
20:01 • 3min
Exploring Reading Habits and Writing Insights
23:11 • 15min
The Evolving Landscape of Literary Success
38:39 • 15min
Bridging Academia and Public Discourse
53:45 • 22min
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larry mcmurtry
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The story follows high school seniors Sonny Crawford and Duane Jackson as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, love, and loneliness.
The town, symbolizing a fading America, is characterized by boredom and desolation, with the local pool hall, diner, and picture show being the main gathering places.
The novel explores themes of isolation, connection, and the decay of small towns, while also delving into the characters' personal struggles and sexual explorations.
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The book teaches how to outsource life tasks, automate income, and eliminate unnecessary work using principles like the 80/20 rule and Parkinson’s Law. Ferriss shares his personal journey from a corporate workaholic to a location-independent entrepreneur and provides practical tips and case studies to help readers achieve similar results.
The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-value activities, taking 'mini-retirements', and living life to the fullest in the present rather than deferring enjoyment until retirement.
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In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy.
The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill.
These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'.
Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
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Newport presents four rules: Don't follow your passion, Be so good they can't ignore you, Turn down a promotion, and Think small, act big.
He supports his arguments with case studies from various professionals who have found satisfaction in their careers through hard work and skill development.
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The narrative transcends a simple tale of a billionaire vs.
a media empire, offering insights into the broader implications for culture and society.
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Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
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Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience.
The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living.
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Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
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Lives of the Stoics
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Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
This book presents the fascinating lives of twenty-six ancient Stoics, from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, organized in digestible mini-biographies.
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The authors intertwine historical context with philosophical insights, making the book both educational and entertaining.
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Postman contends that this shift has radical consequences for politics, art, education, intelligence, and truth.
He describes how technology has become the primary source of moral authority, leading to a culture that values efficiency and technical calculation over human judgment.
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In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
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Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success.
The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives.
Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
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Range
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In this book, David Epstein examines the success of generalists in various fields, including sports, arts, music, invention, forecasting, and science.
He argues that generalists, who often find their path late and juggle multiple interests, are more creative, agile, and able to make connections that specialists cannot.
Epstein uses stories and research studies to show that wide sampling and late specialization can be more valuable than early specialization, especially in complex and unpredictable environments.
He also discusses the distinction between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments and the importance of balancing specialization with range for long-term success.
In this episode of Deep Questions we try something a little different: our first guest!
Bestselling author Ryan Holiday joins me to help answer reader questions, as well as more than a few queries from me. We cover a variety of topics, including his life as a writer living on a ranch, how he fosters discipline, the impact of our diminishing reading culture, and why everyone keeps trying to get me to move to Austin.
Be sure to check out Ryan's new book: LIVES OF THE STOICS (https://dailystoic.com/preorder).
To submit your own questions for the show, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com.
You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.
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