Ep. 69: How Do I Find Joy in Leisure?

29 snips

Feb 8, 2021

Discover how to harness time blocking for effective productivity, especially for new professors. Explore the intriguing question of whether ASMR can enhance deep work and debate the merits of audiobooks versus traditional reading. Learn strategies for balancing leisure with productivity while navigating distractions in a remote work environment. Uncover methods to escape the social media bubble and find joy in leisure, all while managing personal and family tasks effectively!

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ADVICE

Afternoon Time Blocking

Change your afternoon schedule to be less demanding.
Prioritize nutrition, sleep, breaks, and movement to maintain energy.

ADVICE

New Professor Priorities

Prioritize publishing papers in good venues that get cited.
Fit teaching, service, and administrative tasks into the remaining time.

ADVICE

Protecting Deep Work

Be hard to reach and minimize communication overhead.
Be lazy about taking on new responsibilities and stick to core deep work.

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First Things First

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Stephen Covey

Stephen Covey's "First Things First" is a self-help book focusing on time management and prioritization. It introduces the concept of prioritizing tasks based on their importance rather than urgency. The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on what truly matters in life, aligning actions with personal values and goals. Covey's work encourages readers to develop a proactive approach to time management, emphasizing planning and self-discipline. The book's enduring popularity stems from its practical advice and its focus on achieving a greater sense of balance and fulfillment in life.

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].