Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 222: Did Cavemen Use To-Do Lists?

Nov 14, 2022

Exploring whether cavemen used to-do lists offers a humorous take on productivity. The discussion dives into the stark contrasts between ancestral work and today’s tasks, advocating for focused work methods. There's a deep dive into the challenges of balancing work, life, and academic commitments, plus insights into the effects of rapid email responses as talent markers. A case study on freelancing reveals strategies for achieving freedom and satisfaction, while the podcast tackles the impact of smartphone bans on youth mental health.

01:30:28

Creator website

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Deep Work Scheduling Strategies

01:22

Needle Mover Activities

01:24

Overcoming Procrastination and Resistance to Deep Work

01:05

How Quick Should Someone Answer My Email?

01:04

Intro

2min

Work Through the Lens of History

20min

Cognitive Evolution and Practical Solutions

7min

Balancing Work and Life Commitments

24min

The Balance of Responsiveness and Deep Work

7min

Mastering Time Management Techniques

6min

Freelancing for Freedom: A Case Study

4min

Balancing Work and Life

7min

Navigating the Smartphone Ban

11min

10.

Addressing Youth Mental Health Through Proactive Engagement

2min

Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

DEEP DIVE: Did Caveman Use To-Do Lists? [1:28]
Article Link: bit.ly/3NYRbnF

- LIVE CALL: Debating a master’s program [27:59]
- How do I practice the “journalistic” mode of scheduling deep work? [37:32]
- How do I determine when something I’m working on is good enough? [44:20]
- Should I take two months off work to write in a cabin? [49:14]
- Is answering email quickly really a good marker of talent? [53:45]
- Is there a tutorial for Cal’s planning system? [1:00:04]
- When is the new version of the Time Block Planner coming? [1:01:34]

CASE STUDY: A Freelancer Crafts a Deep Life [1:04:18]

CAL REACTS: New Insights on Kids and Phones [1:16:33]

School Took Smartphones Away: on.wsj.com/3Trj4G3
Social Media and Teenage Mental Health: bit.ly/3A3KN99

Thanks to our Sponsors:
rhone.com/cal
blinkist.com/deep
hensonshaving.com/cal
expressvpn.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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