Discover the concept of a 'deep life' with five essential elements that promise fulfillment. Dive into strategies for mastering remote work while maintaining structure and discipline. Explore the delicate balance between work and personal well-being, including approaches to manage multiple projects effectively. There's also a discussion on overcoming phone addiction and making pivotal life decisions amidst overwhelming choices. Plus, the importance of authenticity, human connection, and creativity in living deeply is emphasized.
Emphasizing the importance of 'escape,' the podcast discusses how radical changes in environment or job can unlock new experiences and greater meaning.
The element of 'mastery' highlights the joy found in exceptional skill development, creating authenticity and fulfillment without external validation.
Service is presented as a fundamental aspect of the deep life, fostering connections and community through acts of altruism and support.
Deep dives
Emergence of the Deep Life Concept
The concept of the deep life emerged during the pandemic when a growing number of people began seeking meaningfulness in their lives amidst the chaos. It developed as a response to the pressures of the pandemic, with discussions about its elements appearing in writings and early podcast episodes. The speaker shared that he first introduced the term in an email newsletter in April 2020, which became a subject of ongoing exploration in his podcast and future writings. This unique context led to a quest for understanding what constitutes a deep life and how it can be pursued in a distracted world.
Five Elements of the Deep Life
The discussion outlines five refined elements essential to living a deep life: escape, mastery, discipline, service, appreciation, and awe. Escape involves radical changes in one’s environment or job to unlock new experiences and meaning. Mastery emphasizes the pursuit of skills to an exceptional level, fostering authenticity and control over one’s work. Each of these elements plays a significant role in deepening one's life experience, particularly when they are intentionally integrated into daily living.
The Role of Escape
Escape is identified as the first element of a deep life, highlighting the necessity of altering one’s physical or career circumstances to foster personal growth. This could involve relocating from a bustling urban environment to a tranquil rural setting or transitioning to a less demanding job that allows for creative pursuits. Such changes can lead to greater fulfillment and open pathways to new experiences. The speaker provides examples of individuals who have made significant life changes leading to greater depth, illustrating the transformative power of escape.
Understanding Mastery and Discipline
Mastery stresses the importance of elevating one's skills to create a fulfilling life, focusing on the joy and pride derived from crafting without the need for external validation. Examples include writers and artists who engage deeply with their craft without the anxieties of outside reception. Discipline plays a pivotal role by enabling individuals to push themselves toward extreme commitment, often leading to life-altering transformations, as seen in fitness journeys or personal development. The stories shared emphasize how discipline and mastery interconnect to enhance life satisfaction.
The Importance of Service and Community
Service emerges as a fundamental element of the deep life, emphasizing the significance of connecting with others through acts of service and forming strong relationships. This connection may manifest in various forms, from volunteering to simply being present for friends and family. Engaging in service not only strengthens community ties but also nourishes the spirit by emphasizing altruism and shared humanity. The discussion underscores that even amidst individual pursuits, the commitment to serving others can be a cornerstone of a deeply fulfilling life.
In this classic episode Cal talks about the elements of the Deep Life. He then answers a variety of questions about work, family, and phone distractions.
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 should I get started in a new remote work job? [17:39] - How I time block a purely reactive job? [22:49] - Should I bother capturing tasks that are fast to complete? [26:20] - How do I tame multiple concurrent projects? [29:53] - How do I schedule optional deep work in an exhausting job? [32:51] - How much time is left for family after goals and deep work? [39:56] - Is there such a thing as deep fun? [42:44] - I am addicted to my phone. What do I do? [44:48] - How do I make a big life decision when I have lots of options? [50:35]