Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 27: Inside My Planning Discipline, the Joys and Sorrows of Slack, and Finding Depth Among Shallow Friends | DEEP QUESTIONS

Sep 14, 2020

Explore the intricacies of planning and productivity strategies, including the importance of structured workflows over messaging apps like Slack. Discover how to overcome writer's block and the balance between career satisfaction and skill cultivation. Delve into the challenge of finding meaningful connections in a fun-focused culture and hear personal stories that emphasize depth over superficiality. Learn about effective study techniques and how to embrace multiple interests while staying true to one’s calling.

01:19:46

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Highlights

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Episode notes

Keeping Your Head Above Water, the Crucial Emales

02:06

Active Recall: A Better Way to Study

01:10

The Importance of a Productivity System and Daily Discipline for Success

01:29

Productive Struggles: The Growth in Writing and Weightlifting

01:13

Intro

19min

Navigating Career and Study Success

25min

Balancing Productivity and Connection

19min

Redefining Career Satisfaction: Skills Over Passion

5min

Staying True to Yourself in a Party Culture

12min

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about what’s on my weekly plan at the moment, the complicated impact of Slack, and pursuing depth among friends more interested in fun.

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Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:

WORK QUESTIONS

* Is monthly planning necessary? (Bonus: A look at my current plans) [2:12]

* Breaking up time blocks [10:03]

* Debunking writer’s blocks [11:28]

* Favoritism versus career capital [17:56]

* When to stop studying [27:35]

* Getting back up when struggling in your work [30:19]

QUESTION ROULETTE [34:58]

TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS

* The productivity apps I use [42:49]

* Do academics need good digital presences? [43:37]

* Leaving social media when you can’t leave the house [45:13]

* The mixed impact of the rise of Slack [50:53]

BACKSTAGE PASS [57:41]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS

* Finding a calling when you’re interesting in many things [1:01:57]

* Sticking to the deep life when you’re friends are deeply into the fun life (Bonus: tales from my one day as a Dartmouth frat brother) [1:07:14]

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

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