
Ep. 222: Did Cavemen Use To-Do Lists?
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
How to Schedule Deep Work Sessions to Get the Most Out of Them
When scheduling deep work sessions, there are three main strategies to consider: rhythmic, bimodal, and journalistic. Rhythmic scheduling involves working at the same times on the same days each week, allowing your brain to get used to the idea of deep work and making it easier to get into the mode. Bimodal scheduling involves alternating between periods of intense deep work and periods of non-deep work, either on a large time scale or a smaller time scale. Journalistic scheduling is based on finding time for deep work on a week-to-week basis, looking at your schedule and identifying when you can fit it in. To succeed with journalistic scheduling, it is recommended to plan deep work sessions on a weekly basis and schedule them like any other meeting. When feeling exhausted and fatigued, it is important to do less and simplify your deep work schedule. Consider adopting a rhythmic approach, especially first thing in the morning when energy levels are typically higher. Additionally, reducing the total workload can help alleviate overwork and exhaustion.