Ep. 151: Should you move to the country?

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Nov 29, 2021

Dive into the transformative decision of moving from the city to the country, exploring the benefits of a slower lifestyle and remote work. Discover essential productivity techniques and how to maintain connections in simpler work environments. Learn about the importance of intentional living and aligning actions with your core values. Tackle the 'inspiration trap' to gain clarity in decision-making and career stability. Plus, get practical advice for working parents and effective techniques for enhancing morning routines.

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ANECDOTE

McKibben's Escape

Bill McKibben, a rising star at The New Yorker, quit his job after a change in ownership.
He moved to rural Johnsburg and embraced a simple life, focusing on writing and environmentalism.

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ADVICE

Remote Simplicity

Embrace remote work and relocate to a more affordable, scenic location.
Simplify your life and work less, enjoying a slower pace and increased autonomy.

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ADVICE

Time Blocking

Time blocking is helpful when your schedule is complex or your tasks unclear.
For routine or single-focus days, time blocking might be unnecessary.

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From City Life to Country Living

02:34 • 23min

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The Balance of Attention and Essential Life Advice

25:12 • 2min

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Embracing Intentional Living: Do Less, Do Better, Know Why

27:26 • 7min

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Navigating the Inspiration Trap

34:02 • 28min

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Redefining Success and Strategic Choices in Academia

01:02:19 • 4min

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How to Become a Straight-A Student

The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less

Cal Newport

In this book, Cal Newport shares insights and strategies gathered from interviews with high-achieving college students who maintain excellent grades without excessive studying. The book emphasizes the importance of effective time management, focused study sessions, and smart note-taking techniques. It introduces the 'Straight-A Method' which is based on four pillars: knowledge, control, strategy, and balance. Newport argues that by using these methods, students can avoid procrastination, optimize their study time, and achieve academic success while maintaining a balanced life.

A World Without Email

Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload

Cal Newport

In 'A World Without Email', Cal Newport argues that the constant digital communication, which he terms the 'hyperactive hive mind', has become a productivity disaster. He contends that this workflow, driven by email and other messaging tools, reduces profitability, slows economic growth, and makes workers miserable. Newport proposes a workplace where clear processes, not haphazard messaging, define task management. He advocates for each person working on fewer tasks but doing them better, with significant investment in support to reduce administrative burdens. The book lays out principles and concrete instructions for streamlining important communication and reducing the central role of inboxes and chat channels in the workplace.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Robert Fulghum

This book, published in 1986, is a compilation of fifty short essays by Robert Fulghum. It emphasizes the importance of basic principles such as sharing, kindness, cleanliness, and a balanced life, which are first learned in kindergarten. Fulghum argues that these simple rules can significantly improve the world if adhered to by adults. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including childhood, death, and the lives of interesting people, and are characterized by their storytelling and humorous tone.

Digital Minimalism

Cal Newport

In 'Digital Minimalism', Cal Newport argues that we need to be more intentional about the technologies we allow into our lives. He proposes a philosophy of digital minimalism, where individuals focus their online time on activities that strongly support their values and ignore the rest. The book highlights the negative effects of behavioral addictions created by technology, such as solitude deprivation and the fleeting nature of social media satisfaction. Newport suggests a 30-day 'digital declutter' process and other practices to help readers integrate digital minimalism into their lives, emphasizing the importance of optimizing technology use to support personal goals and values.

Deep Work

Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Cal Newport

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.

So Good They Can't Ignore You

Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

Cal Newport

In this book, Cal Newport challenges the conventional wisdom that following one's passion is the key to career happiness. Instead, he argues that passion often follows mastery and that developing valuable skills and expertise is essential for creating work you love. 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.

Full Catastrophe Living

Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness

Jon Kabat-Zinn

This book, first published in 1990, is based on the work of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. It introduces the concept of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and provides a step-by-step guide to various forms of meditation, including breathing, sitting, body-scan, yoga, walking, and loving-kindness meditation. The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind and body and offers strategies for coping with stress, pain, and illness by living fully in the present moment. It is structured into five parts, covering the practice of mindfulness, a new paradigm for health and illness, stress, and practical applications for managing various types of stress.

The end of nature

Bill McKibben

Bill McKibben's "The End of Nature" is a seminal work in environmental literature, published in 1989. The book explores the profound impact of human activity on the Earth's climate and ecosystems. McKibben argues that human-induced climate change has fundamentally altered the natural world, marking the end of an era where nature existed independently of human influence. The book's impact lies in its powerful articulation of the urgency of the climate crisis and its call for collective action. It remains a significant text in the environmental movement, influencing subsequent discussions and activism on climate change.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

DEEP DIVE: Should you move to the country? [3:55]

DEEP WORK QUESTIONS:

- Is it worth time blocking for long projects? [20:11]
- What’s your (Cal’s) opinion on bosses stopping by the office to chat? [22:16]
- How can I remember all of your advice? [25:39]
- How do I avoid the feeling of just going through the motions? [32:41]
- How do I better get started in the morning? [38:31]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS:

- What’s your advice for studying while also working in a warehouse? [44:38]
- How can I improve my meditative walks? [50:10]
- How can working parents maximize time spent with children? [54:12]
- Are you so good you can’t be ignored in computer science? [58:40]
- How do I choose a thesis topic? [1:03:41]

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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