The podcast discusses the concept of slow distractions and their impact on quality of life. It provides practical strategies for deep work as a stay-at-home parent and succeeding as a musician without social media. It also explores the value of sharing work experiences and building career capital, as well as attitudes towards work and shaping your career.
Focus on honing your craft and creating excellent music to build an audience and gain recognition.
Consider traditional methods for growing your audience as a musician, such as live performances and connecting with industry professionals.
Set boundaries with social media, using platforms selectively for meaningful connections and avoiding mindless scrolling or comparisons.
Deep dives
Focus on being so good you can't be ignored
As a musician, focus on honing your craft and creating excellent music that stands out. Be so good that people can't ignore you. This is the foundation for building an audience and gaining recognition.
Explore traditional avenues for success
Instead of relying solely on social media, consider traditional methods for growing your audience. Perform live in real venues, showcase your talent at events, and connect with industry professionals who are actively seeking talented musicians.
Don't underestimate the power of slow progress
Avoid getting caught up in the idea of overnight success on social media. Remember that slow and steady progress can lead to long-lasting success. Take the time to develop your skills, build your reputation, and connect with genuine fans and supporters.
Set boundaries with social media
While it's important to connect with your audience, it's also crucial to set boundaries with social media. Use platforms like Instagram or Facebook selectively for specific communication purposes, such as arranging meetups or responding to messages. Focus on meaningful connections and avoid getting caught up in mindless scrolling or comparisons.
Building career capital for success in the job market
In this podcast episode, the host discusses the importance of building career capital in order to succeed in the job market. He emphasizes that having rare and valuable skills is crucial for standing out and gaining leverage in your career. Instead of focusing solely on finding your dream job, the host advises young professionals to aggressively develop their skills and accumulate career capital. This approach allows individuals to have more control and autonomy in their careers, as they become more valuable to organizations. The host also acknowledges that this mindset may not be evenly distributed, but it still reflects how the job market fundamentally operates.
Challenging the traditional model of job hunting
The podcast episode also explores a video where a young woman shares her struggles with finding a fulfilling career. The podcast host uses this video to critique the traditional model of job hunting, where individuals wait to be chosen for their desired roles. He argues that adopting a career capital mindset is a more effective strategy. By focusing on building valuable skills, individuals can create their own opportunities and have greater control over their career trajectories. The host acknowledges the difficulties and uncertainties that come with this approach, but highlights its long-term benefits and the need to actively develop skills for career success.
During the New Year season it is common to talk about how to be more productive. But what about the downtime between your major pursuits? In this episode, Cal argues for rewiring your brain to crave slow distractions over their faster (often digital) alternatives. The goal here is not to get more done but to transform your life into something slower and more meaningful.
Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
- How do I work deeply as a stay-at-home parent? [29:12] - Isn’t it myopic not to let young children use smartphones? [36:44] - How do I succeed as a musician without social media? [38:09] - How do I make plans without social media? [48:37] - CALL: How to share ideas without allowing social media to take control [55:02]
CAL REACTS: I’m a 33-year old woman without a job [1:05:55]