Ep. 93: Am I Overcommitted or Bad at Time Management?

27 snips

May 3, 2021

A listener shares their transformative experience of spending a year without a smartphone, unveiling the benefits of digital minimalism. The conversation dives into the evolution of personal productivity, examining its historical roots and how it affects modern knowledge work. Strategies for balancing deep work with collaboration are discussed, emphasizing the importance of high-quality content creation. Additionally, the challenges and joys of fostering social connections in the workplace post-pandemic are explored, highlighting the value of intentional living.

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ANECDOTE

A Year Without a Smartphone

A listener turned off their smartphone for a year and experienced significant positive changes.
These changes included stronger relationships, increased solitude, and rediscovering hobbies.

ADVICE

Process Over Inbox

When starting a new job, focus on establishing clear processes instead of inbox management.
Identify recurring tasks and implement alternative workflows to the "hyperactive hive mind."

INSIGHT

Hyperactive Hive Mind

Cal Newport clarifies the argument in his book "A World Without Email" is not against all email usage.
The book targets the hyperactive hive mind workflow, not email's utility for asynchronous communication.

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The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Steven Pressfield

In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.

A mind at play

How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age

Jimmy Soni

Rob Goodman

This biography, written by Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman, reveals the full story of Claude Shannon for the first time. It chronicles Shannon's life from his small-town Michigan roots to his groundbreaking work at MIT and Bell Labs. The book highlights his contributions to digital circuit design and information theory, as well as his interactions with notable figures like Alan Turing, John von Neumann, and Albert Einstein. Shannon's personal life, including his interests in juggling, unicycling, and inventing unusual devices, is also explored. The authors provide a detailed and engaging account of Shannon's impact on the information age and his unique blend of playfulness and genius[2][3][4].

Genius

The Life and Science of Richard Feynman

James Gleick

This sweeping biography by James Gleick integrates Richard Feynman’s work and life, making it accessible to both laymen and scientists. It details Feynman’s quick mastery of quantum mechanics, his role in the Manhattan Project, and his contributions to particle physics and quantum electrodynamics. The book also explores Feynman’s eccentric and irreverent personality, his interactions with other notable physicists, and his impact on the scientific community[1][2][3].

Big Magic

Elizabeth Gilbert

In 'Big Magic', Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the mysteries of creativity, encouraging readers to live more creative and fulfilling lives. The book is divided into six parts: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. Gilbert argues that creativity is an essential part of human nature and that it requires courage to accept and overcome fears. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, trust in the creative process, and the need to separate creativity from the pressure of making a living. Through personal anecdotes and insights from other artists, Gilbert demystifies the creative process and inspires readers to pursue their passions with curiosity rather than fear[2][3][5].

On Writing

A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King

This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C.V.'), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.

The Management of Time

James T. McCay

This book provides readers with a creative approach to managing time, focusing on creating a time investment portfolio that maximizes personal growth and work performance. It offers practical advice for individuals looking to improve their productivity without working longer hours.

The Effective Executive

The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done

Peter Drucker

In this book, Peter F. Drucker identifies five essential practices for business effectiveness: managing time, choosing what to contribute to the organization, knowing where and how to mobilize strength for best effect, setting the right priorities, and making effective decisions. Drucker emphasizes that these habits can and must be learned to achieve true effectiveness in an executive role. The book draws from his extensive experience in organizational management and consulting, offering insights that remain relevant despite the passage of time since its original publication in 1967.

Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Anne Lamott

Susan Bennett

Bird by Bird is a comprehensive guide to writing that covers various aspects of the craft, from the initial stages of starting a project to the technical details of plot, character, and dialogue. Lamott emphasizes the importance of persistence, faith, and hard work in writing. She advocates for writing imperfect first drafts and warns against the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-criticism. The book also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, encouraging writers to confront their deepest fears and desires. Lamott's approach is down-to-earth, humorous, and generously filled with personal experiences and practical advice.

Grant

Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow's biography of Ulysses S. Grant provides a detailed and nuanced portrait of Grant's life, from his humble beginnings to his rise as a Union general and his presidency. The book corrects many misconceptions about Grant, portraying him as a complex figure who was both a skilled military commander and a progressive leader in terms of race relations. Chernow explores Grant's struggles with alcoholism, his military campaigns, and his efforts to protect the rights of newly freed slaves during Reconstruction. The biography also delves into Grant's post-presidency, including his world tour and the publication of his memoirs with the help of Mark Twain[2][3][4].

Lincoln's Virtues

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William Lee Miller

This book by William Lee Miller is an ethical biography that traces the development of Abraham Lincoln's moral and intellectual virtues. It highlights Lincoln's strong opposition to slavery, his thorough research for speech preparation, and his commitment to moral principles despite the political realities of his time. Miller argues that Lincoln's moral realism, derived from Max Weber's ethics of responsibility, guided his actions and decisions. The book also explores Lincoln's rise as a politician and how his conduct became more virtuous as he gained power, making him a rare example of a great man who was also a good man[1][2][3].

The rise of Theodore Roosevelt

Edmund Morris

This book is the first in a trilogy by Edmund Morris and details the life of Theodore Roosevelt from his birth in 1858 through to 1901. It includes his family history, his turbulent childhood illnesses, his education at Harvard, and his early involvement in politics. The biography explores Roosevelt's passion for learning, his various roles such as New York State Assemblyman, Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. It also covers his leadership of the Rough Riders in Cuba and his eventual rise to the Vice Presidency, setting the stage for his future as President of the United States.

A World Without Email

Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload

Cal Newport

In 'A World Without Email', Cal Newport argues that the constant digital communication, which he terms the 'hyperactive hive mind', has become a productivity disaster. He contends that this workflow, driven by email and other messaging tools, reduces profitability, slows economic growth, and makes workers miserable. Newport proposes a workplace where clear processes, not haphazard messaging, define task management. He advocates for each person working on fewer tasks but doing them better, with significant investment in support to reduce administrative burdens. The book lays out principles and concrete instructions for streamlining important communication and reducing the central role of inboxes and chat channels in the workplace.

Digital Minimalism

Cal Newport

In 'Digital Minimalism', Cal Newport argues that we need to be more intentional about the technologies we allow into our lives. He proposes a philosophy of digital minimalism, where individuals focus their online time on activities that strongly support their values and ignore the rest. The book highlights the negative effects of behavioral addictions created by technology, such as solitude deprivation and the fleeting nature of social media satisfaction. Newport suggests a 30-day 'digital declutter' process and other practices to help readers integrate digital minimalism into their lives, emphasizing the importance of optimizing technology use to support personal goals and values[2][3][5].

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.