Discover how remarkable individuals often achieve more by being less busy. The discussion dives into the 'productivity paradox,' revealing that focused practice trumps endless busyness. Explore the concept of 'slow productivity' and learn to prioritize quality over quantity in your work. Insights into weekly planning encourage aligning daily tasks with larger goals. Plus, hear about the unique benefits of video games and the long-term value of skill development. It's a refreshing take on achieving fulfillment without the frantic pace.
Adjust the level of detail in your plans at different scales to improve execution without completely uprooting your current planning system.
Embrace slow productivity and focus on developing rare and valuable skills in your chosen field to achieve long-term success and open doors for remarkable opportunities in the future.
Incorporate video games into intentional living by selecting games with well-crafted single-player stories, rich storytelling, complex characters, and visually original worlds.
Deep dives
Improving Execution Without Changing Planning System
To improve execution without completely uprooting your current planning system, it may be helpful to adjust the level of detail and specificity in your plans at different scales. As you move from daily to weekly to quarterly planning, allow for more flexibility and looseness. Daily plans can be more structured and constrained, while weekly plans can have a bit more room for adaptation and adjustment. For longer-term plans, such as quarters or semesters, focus on broader objectives or outcomes, rather than rigid timelines or specific tasks. This allows for more adaptability and reduces the risk of feeling anxious when things don't go exactly as planned. Remember, the goal is to aim your energy and intention, not to predict every detail of how your energy will unfold.
Balancing Slow Productivity and Early Career Success
For a smart and committed young knowledge worker, a slow productivity approach can be effective and lead to success. It is not necessary to achieve big short-term wins early on as long as you focus on developing rare and valuable skills in your chosen field. Slow and deliberate practice to improve your craft is more important than being constantly busy or seeking quick achievements. Remarkable lives are built on a foundation of skill and expertise, which takes time to develop. The conquer-the-world mindset may have its place, but it is not required to achieve long-term success. Slow productivity allows you to focus on honing your skills, which will ultimately set you apart and open doors for remarkable opportunities in the future.
Choosing the Right Video Games for Intentional Living
Incorporating video games into intentional living is possible by selecting games with well-crafted single-player stories. These games can be seen as an art form, akin to high-quality films. Look for games with rich storytelling, complex characters, and visually original worlds. Block out dedicated time on your calendar, similar to watching a high-quality television drama, to immerse yourself in these games. By choosing games with artistic and narrative depth, you can enjoy the experience without compromising intentional living. Examples of such games include Firewatch, Inside, Her Story, and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Adopting a Brain-Healthy Diet with Mosh Bars
Mosh bars are protein bars designed to support brain health. Inspired by personal experience with Alzheimer's, the founders prioritize ingredients like Ashwagandha, collagen, and omega-3s. Mosh also donates proceeds to support gender-based brain health research, particularly for Alzheimer's in women. With their mission-driven approach and delicious taste, Mosh bars offer a way to nourish both body and brain.
Understanding and Implementing Weekly Planning
Weekly planning is a crucial component of a comprehensive productivity system. It involves aligning your weekly tasks with your larger strategic goals and finding dedicated time for important projects. By strategically allocating time and protecting it on your calendar, you can ensure progress on significant objectives. Weekly planning also allows for flexibility in rearranging tasks and optimizing your schedule to maximize productivity. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to review and update your task systems, ensuring clarity and prioritization. Embracing weekly planning helps individuals balance workload, avoid reactive decision-making, and enhance overall productivity.
One of the more interesting realities of people who live remarkable lives is that they are often much less busy than the rest of us. In this episode, Cal explores three ideas that help explain why this is true, then explains how we can use these ideas to reduce our own workloads.
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
- How does a weekly plan work? [32:26] - Do errands or reading count toward fixed schedule productivity? [36:55] - How should a graduate embrace slow productivity? [40:11] - If I embrace slow productivity, how can I be sure I’m doing enough? [41:54] - Did Cal follow Slow Productivity in his 20’s? [47:45] - CALL: Uprooting a good planning system? [53:23]
CASE STUDY: Playing video games with intention [58:05]
CAL REACTS: How to Have a Productive Year [1:06:34]
