Ep. 324: Taming Non-Work Tasks

whatshot 942 snips

Oct 28, 2024

Explore strategies for managing non-work tasks alongside professional duties. Discover lifestyle-centric planning to balance household responsibilities and personal aspirations. Learn about effective multi-scale planning techniques and the importance of flexibility. Delve into the shift towards slow productivity, focusing on quality over quantity. Get insights on upcoming technologies like augmented reality eyewear and how they might transform daily life. Overall, it’s a guide to enhancing productivity amidst life’s myriad obligations.

01:20:21

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Time Blocking After Work

Resist the urge to over-schedule your evenings and weekends.
Your brain needs unstructured time to relax and recharge after focused work.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Weekly Planning for Non-Work

Review non-professional tasks during weekly planning to stay aware and coordinate.
Put time-sensitive non-work tasks on your calendar.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Generic Household Task

Create a "generic household task" to handle important but non-urgent items.
Dedicate short bursts of time to this task most days, even if it's only 20 minutes.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Mastering Non-Work Responsibilities

04:06 • 17min

chevron_right

Balancing Tasks and Aspirations

21:30 • 6min

chevron_right

Strategies for Effective Multi-Scale Planning

27:20 • 2min

chevron_right

Lifestyle-Centric Planning and Productivity

29:50 • 32min

chevron_right

The Shift to Slow Productivity

01:01:21 • 11min

chevron_right

The Future of Virtual Eyewear and Its Impact on Daily Life

01:12:28 • 4min

chevron_right

The Future of Screen Technology and Augmented Reality

01:16:35 • 3min

chevron_right

• Mentioned in 344 episodes

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.

#895

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

The Name of the Wind

Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind is a heroic fantasy novel that tells the life story of Kvothe, an infamous adventurer and musician. The story is presented in a 'story-within-a-story' format, where Kvothe recounts his life to a scribe named Chronicler. The narrative spans from Kvothe's childhood in a troupe of traveling performers to his years as a student at a prestigious school of magic, and through various trials and hardships. The book is renowned for its vivid world-building, rich dialogue, and the emotional depth of its characters.

#83

• Mentioned in 113 episodes

Slow Productivity

The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

Cal Newport

In this book, Cal Newport draws on the habits and mindsets of historical figures like Galileo, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and Georgia O’Keefe to propose a new approach to productivity. He argues against the modern culture of 'pseudo-productivity,' where busyness is mistaken for actual productivity. Instead, Newport advocates for 'slow productivity,' which involves doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. The book combines cultural criticism with practical advice to help readers transform their work habits and achieve more sustainable and meaningful accomplishments.

#1918

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a self-taught chemist working in the 1950s and 1960s, a time when women were undervalued in the scientific community. After being forced out of her doctoral program and facing numerous challenges, Elizabeth finds herself as the reluctant star of a popular TV cooking show called 'Supper at Six.' Her unique approach to cooking, combining chemistry with everyday life, proves revolutionary and inspires women to challenge societal norms. The book is a humorous, observant, and vibrant tale of a woman who refuses to accept the status quo and instead dares to change it.

We talk a lot on this show about how to organize your professional efforts. But what about all your obligations outside of work? The personal goals, the household repairs, the family tasks? In this episode, Cal discusses organizational strategies custom-fit to these types of obligations. He then answers listener questions and checks in on a hidden trend in the world of technology.

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: Taming Non-Work Tasks [4:48]

- How do you manage unexpected projects in your time management system? [26:57]

- How can I implement lifestyle-centric planning if my life has been directed by other people? [29:36]

- How do you figure out what your rare and valuable skill is? [33:57]

- Should I return to social media to promote my new book? [37:30]

- How can I do fewer things if I’m expected to bill 40 client hours every week? [46:23]

- CALL: Hiring an administrative assistant [50:08]

CASE STUDY: A software developer’s “pull” system [57:35]

TECH CORNER: The Quiet Revolution [1:08:34]

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?

newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/the-frightening-familiarity-of-late-nineties-office-photos

youtube.com/watch?v=-lRkCbhABvo

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books