Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 101: Does Productivity Impede the Deep Life?

May 31, 2021

Discover how to strike a balance between productivity and leisure in a hectic life. Explore the strategic commitment to projects and the evolution of passion as a driving force in your career. Learn the best ways to manage numerous tasks effectively and the importance of automation in both work and investing. Delve into how intentional choices shape a meaningful life, emphasizing passion as something to be cultivated rather than just found. Gain insights on crafting a career that aligns with your values and interests.

58:15

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Balancing Productivity and Leisure in a Busy Schedule

34min

Strategic Commitment and the Evolution of Passion in Work

4min

Crafting a Passion-Driven Career

4min

Investing in Intention: Balancing Productivity and Meaning

12min

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

DEEP WORK QUESTIONS

- Should I maintain a day free from all work? [3:55]
- How do I take notes on a Kindle? [9:06]
- How an I integrate accountability with my time-block planning? (Bonus rant on making workloads transparent.) [11:31]
- How do I avoid over-structuring my life as a student? [19:49]
- What is my (Cal) computer science research about? [21:35]
- What is the best productivity system for someone who manages hundreds of tasks across numerous projects? [25:26]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

- How do you decide when to commit to a new role or project? [34:07
- Are my (Cal) ideas on passion in stark contrast to most philosophers? [39:44]
- Have I (Cal) started a new book yet? [44:25]
- Should I spend time on investing or my side project? [45:07]
- What is the role of productivity in the deep life? [51:19]

Thanks to Jay Kerstens for the intro music.