When building a strategic plan, allocate a certain percentage of your time or effort to research projects with variable durations to maintain flexibility and consistent progress.
Regularly review and update your weekly plans to effectively manage and progress in projects, ensuring you stay on track and make necessary adjustments based on project deadlines and progress.
Deep dives
Effective Time Allocation for Research Projects
When building your strategic plan, it's important to account for research projects that have a large variance in duration. Instead of specifying exact timeframes for these projects, focus on dedicating a certain percentage of your time or effort to them. For example, allocate 20% of your work time to a specific research project over the course of the quarter. This allows for flexibility while ensuring consistent progress. Additionally, break down the project into smaller milestones or deliverables that can be achieved within a reasonable timeframe. This helps maintain momentum and provides a sense of accomplishment along the way.
The Importance of Weekly Planning
Weekly planning is essential for effectively managing and progressing in projects. It allows individuals to assess their progress, allocate time accordingly, and adjust their plans as needed. By regularly reviewing and updating their weekly plans, individuals can ensure they stay on track and make necessary adjustments based on project deadlines and progress.
Choosing a Career Based on Lifestyle Attributes
When making career decisions, it is important to focus on the specific attributes of the desired job rather than fixating on the concept of a dream job. By identifying the specific properties and attributes that make a certain career appealing, individuals can make more objective comparisons and evaluate different paths to achieve their desired lifestyle. This approach involves considering various aspects of life, including location, family, community, and personal values, to make informed decisions about the most suitable career path that aligns with their overall lifestyle vision.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
QUESTIONS:
- How do I find time to study for a better job? [5:14] - How do I find rare and valuable skills to develop? [8:37] - How do I develop discipline if I have an easy job? [12:33]
CASE STUDY: A graduate student with 5 kids takes control of his life [30:06]
- Should I work or spend all my time with my son? [35:50] - How do I manage a strategic plan with lots of unpredictable projects? [42:54] - How does role-based communication work? [46:09] - How do I plan projects with unpredictable time demands? [50:58] - Should I move my family across the country to accept my dream job? [52:56] - How do you make time for Quality time with your wife with such a busy schedule? [58:43] - Does Cal write reports on the books he reads? [1:01:18] - Does slow productivity apply only to knowledge workers? [1:07:17] - Why do my side hustles fail? [1:10:35]