Explore a richer approach to self-help by delving into quality resources beyond quick social media tips. Discover the balance between meaningful growth and the hazards of low-quality content. Engage emotionally with literature and narratives that resonate with your personal journey. Rethink productivity by prioritizing quality work and addressing psychological barriers to challenging tasks. Learn about 'slow productivity' and its implications for knowledge workers while navigating the complexities of work and mental health.
Choose career-boosting projects that develop valuable skills, even if they aren't immediately enjoyable.
Start your workday with something you're passionate about to set a positive tone.
Establish pre-writing rituals to mentally prepare for creative tasks and ease the transition.
Build confidence in your writing abilities by learning about the publishing industry and connecting with other writers.
Deep dives
Prioritize Building Career Capital Over Immediate Enjoyment
When choosing a project to boost your career capital, prioritize options that will help you develop rare and valuable skills, even if they are not as enjoyable in the moment. Balancing immediate enjoyment with long-term career growth is important, so avoid projects that are purely for fun and do not contribute to your career goals.
Consider Starting with Fiction Writing First
To address the issue of feeling drained after technical writing, try working on your fiction writing first in the day. This way, you can allocate your most creative and focused energy to the project you are passionate about before proceeding with the technical writing. Starting with something you enjoy can help set the right tone for the rest of your workday.
Create Rituals and Routines Around Fiction Writing
Implementing rituals and routines can help ease the transition between technical writing and fiction writing. By establishing a pre-writing routine, such as going for a walk or reading a few pages of your novel, you can mentally prepare yourself for the creative task ahead. This can make the process feel less draining and allow you to tap into your creative mindset more easily.
Build Trust in Your Ability to Write a Novel
Ensure your brain trusts in your ability to write a novel by acquiring the necessary knowledge and understanding of the publishing process. Connect with other writers, join a writers' group, and learn about the industry to instill confidence in your capabilities. By reassuring your brain that you are equipped to succeed, you may find it easier to engage in fiction writing without feeling drained.
The Shepherd's Life by James Reebank: A beautifully written book about life as a shepherd.
The Shepherd's Life by James Reebank is a classic and beautifully written book that provides insights into the life of a shepherd. Reebank, who grew up on a farm, went on to study at Oxford and eventually returned to shepherding. The book offers a unique perspective on the connection to nature and the rhythms of life in the countryside.
The Man from the Future by Antonio Batacarya: A biography of Jean von Neumann, a polymath figure in 20th century physics, mathematics, and computer science.
The Man from the Future by Antonio Batacarya is a biography of Jean von Neumann, an influential figure in physics, mathematics, and computer science. The book delves into von Neumann's life and his contributions to various fields. It provides insights into his intellect, accomplishments, and the impact he made in shaping these disciplines.
Palestine 1936 by Orrin Kessler: An exploration of the Palestinian nationalist movement during the British mandate in Palestine.
Palestine 1936 by Orrin Kessler is a book that examines a crucial period in the Palestinian nationalist movement. The book highlights the uprising that occurred under British rule in 1936 and how it played a significant role in shaping Palestinian nationalism. Kessler's thorough research and analysis shed light on the historical context and complexities surrounding this pivotal event.
A key step in cultivating a deep life is reflecting on what matters to you and the best strategies for pursuing it. This, in turn, requires that you engage in the consumption of some manner of self help. It’s here that many people sell themselves short, limiting this intake to short videos and the occasional advice guide. In today’s episode, Cal talks about cultivating a much richer approach to self-help in which you’re able to take in wisdom from a variety of sources of various levels of sophistication.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo
- How can I prevent hard tasks from derailing my productivity systems? [38:47] - Should I get ahead in my career with a project that I hate? [47:54] - How can I make progress on my novel when my day job drains me? [52:39] - Is there such a thing as too much deep work? [59:32] - CALL: Will short deep work sessions work to write effectively? [1:12:17]
CASE STUDY: Reducing stress with slow productivity [1:18:40]
