Ep. 36: Habit Tune-Up: Scheduling Life Admin, Finding Time for Practice, and High-Tech Metric Tracking
Oct 15, 2020
46:02
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Quick takeaways
To rebuild a reading habit, start with a specific goal of reading two chapters every day and incorporate it into your routine by setting a dedicated time for reading.
In a profession that requires deep dives into unpredictable areas of knowledge, use time blocking to adjust your schedule accordingly and prioritize deliberate practice early in the day to enhance cognitive performance and develop expertise.
Deep dives
Rebuilding a Reading Habit
To rebuild a reading habit, start with a simple goal of reading two chapters every day. Set a specific time for reading, such as during lunch breaks or before bed, and make it a regular part of your routine. Consider time blocking a reading session in your schedule to ensure you have dedicated time for it. Start with books that are easier to read and gradually build up to more complex topics. Track your reading progress to stay motivated and hold yourself accountable.
Incorporating Deep Work in an Unpredictable Job
In a profession that requires frequent deep dives into unpredictable areas of knowledge, time block planning is crucial. Embrace the unpredictability and make use of time blocking to adjust your schedule accordingly. After an unexpected deep work session, take the time to review and fix your schedule for the remaining tasks. Prioritize deliberate practice by setting aside dedicated time early in the day, before other demands arise. Building a routine for deliberate practice will enhance your cognitive performance and help you develop expertise in specific areas of your profession.
Tracking Metrics: Paper vs. Digital
Tracking metrics on paper is effective and low-friction. Simply writing down your metrics can motivate you to improve and provide a sense of progress. If you prefer a digital approach, using spreadsheets or specialized apps can offer additional insights and trend analysis. The key is to minimize friction and find a method that works best for you. If a complex digital system becomes a distraction or feels burdensome, revert to a simpler method like paper tracking to ensure the habit remains consistent.
The Value of Two Chapter Rule
Start by committing to read at least two chapters every day. Create a routine for reading, such as a lunch break or morning session. Time block a reading block in your schedule to guarantee dedicated reading time. The goal is to establish a habit of reading and gradually increase your reading time. Even a simple paper tracking habit can motivate engagement with books and provide a sense of progress. Consider incorporating digital systems for tracking if they align with your preferences and reduce friction.
In this mini-episode, I answer audio questions from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.
I also officially announce my new Time-Block Planner! Available for pre-order everyone you buy books. Find out more about the Time Block Academy event I'm holding for those who pre-order at calnewport.com/blog.
You can submit your own audio questions at speakpipe.com/calnewport.
Here are the topics we cover:
* Trello versus Workflowy for task management. [9:08] * Integrating life admin into your work day. [12:54] * Finding time for deliberate practice in an unpredictable work day. [18:46] * Rekindling a reading habit lost to distraction. [30:10] * High-tech metric tracking. [36:46]
Offer links from this episode's sponsors: * Optimize.me/deep * ExpressVPN.com/deep * Purple.com/deep10
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.
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