The Cognitive Groove: Overcoming Writer's Block

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Overcoming writer's block is about acknowledging that it's not a real block but rather a challenge in shifting from evolved physical cognition to abstract thinking. Our brains are not naturally inclined towards abstract cognitive pursuits like writing, causing initial resistance. However, once we engage and activate relevant neural networks, we enter a cognitive groove where writing becomes easier. The key is to start, push through the difficulty, and trust that with continuous effort and practice, the work will improve over time.

In a recent interview, held to promote his new Netflix movie, Jerry Seinfeld went on a remarkable 10-minute run in which he rattled off one insight after another about deep work, procrastination, and the quest to live an intentional life in a distracted world. In this episode, Cal extracts four key lessons from this segment of Jerry’s interview. He then takes listener questions and ends with a segment in which he apologizes to an internet personality whom he incorrectly associated with the dreaded “hustle culture.”

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

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Seinfeld on The Deep Life [4:31]

- Do I need to practice outside of work to improve my craft? [30:26]
- Can I tackle learning goals sequentially? [38:44]
- How do I get through “grinding” at work? [43:10]
- How can I build my craft to grow my YouTube channel? [49:56]
- Can Cal talk about being an assistant professor with young kids? [54:49]

CASE STUDY: Using lifestyle-centric career planning to upgrade my job and life [1:00:09]

CAL REACTS: James Scholz studies twelve hours a day [1:05:19]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
youtube.com/watch?v=TXAvkqXD-Fc
youtube.com/c/jamesscholz

Thanks to our Sponsors:

drinklmnt.com/deep
blinkist.com/deep
mybodytutor.com
shopify.com/deep

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