In 'Company of One,' Paul Jarvis challenges the conventional notion that business growth must always mean scaling up. He argues that staying small can provide more freedom, independence, and a better quality of life. The book offers practical advice on setting up a solo business, determining desired revenues, keeping clients happy, and dealing with crises. Jarvis emphasizes the importance of resilience, autonomy, speed, and simplicity in running a successful 'company of one.' This approach is particularly appealing to solo entrepreneurs and small business owners who prioritize a balanced and fulfilling life over traditional growth models.
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[1][2][4].
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In a recent appearance on the Tim Ferriss podcast, the prolific fantasy author Brandon Sanderson revealed how he reshaped his media company to help him do what he does best. In this episode, Cal explores the idea, and asks the key question: why is this not more common? While exploring an answer, Cal uncovers a bigger issue in modern digital knowledge work and points towards potential answers. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a tech corner about Alan Turing.
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
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
Deep Dive: Let Brandon Cook [4:56]
- What is your opinion on mind mapping and have you ever used it? [32:35]
- What “really matters” to develop career capital for a civil servant? [36:28]
- What’s your view on Daniel Immerwahr’s recent New Yorker article on the attention crisis? [42:23]
- How does mentoring fit into knowledge work development? [49:54]
- Is it possible to use Paul Jarvis’s approach to start a company to merge the divide with Slow Productivity? [57:20]
- CALL: A 15-year-old and a smartphone [1:03:28]
CASE STUDY: Using AI to expand work skills [1:07:59]
TECH CORNER: Let Turing Cook [1:21:41]
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
tim.blog/2025/02/05/brandon-sanderson/
spectrum.ieee.org/alan-turings-delilah
podcast.feedspot.com/computer_science_podcasts/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
cozyearth.com/deep
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indeed.com/deep
grammarly.com/podcast
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
Deep Questions with Cal Newport 
