Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Ep. 352: It’s Okay to Slow Down
May 12, 2025
Explore the value of 'slow productivity' through the contrasting writing habits of Haruki Murakami and Joan Didion, highlighting the joy of consistent, intentional work. Delve into effective email management strategies and learn about navigating distractions with creative tools like burner phones. The conversation also touches on mental health in journalism, ethical dilemmas in AI, and the misconceptions surrounding communication, making for a thought-provoking discussion on achieving balance in work and life.
01:09:36
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast emphasizes that both intensive and relaxed writing routines can yield significant results, highlighting the essence of quality over quantity in creative output.
- It introduces the concept of 'slow productivity,' advocating for a steady pace in work that fosters creativity while avoiding the pitfalls of perfectionism.
Deep dives
Contrasting Writing Routines of Famous Authors
The podcast examines the contrasting writing routines of renowned authors Haruki Murakami and Joan Didion. Murakami's routine involves waking up at 4 a.m., writing for five to six hours, followed by physical exercise like running or swimming, showcasing a disciplined and rigorous approach to writing. In contrast, Didion's method is more relaxed; she spends the day reflecting on her work, writing only a few sentences in the late afternoon, often while enjoying a drink to aid her focus. The discussion highlights that both authors produced significant work despite their vastly different approaches, suggesting that the quality of output matters more than the intensity of the writing routine.
