The Productivity Paradox: The Harder You Try, The Worse It Gets... | Cal Newport

Cal Newport talks about the Productivity Paradox in Episode 285 of the Deep Questions podcast.

One of the more interesting realities of people who live remarkable lives is that they are often much less busy than the rest of us. In this episode, Cal explores three ideas that help explain why this is true, then explains how we can use these ideas to reduce our own workloads.

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0:00 The Productivity Paradox
25:18 How does a weekly plan work?
29:49 Do errands or reading count toward fixed schedule productivity?
33:06 How should a graduate embrace slow productivity?
34:45 If I embrace slow productivity, how can I be sure I’m doing enough?
40:36 Did Cal follow Slow Productivity in his 20’s?
46:12 Uprooting a good planning system? -
50:59 Playing video games with intention
59:22 How to Have a Productive Year

Connect with Cal Newport:

About Cal Newport:
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. In addition to his academic research, he writes about the intersection of digital technology and culture. Cal's particularly interested in our struggle to deploy these tools in ways that support instead of subvert the things we care about in both our personal and professional lives.

Cal is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including, most recently, A World Without Email, Digital Minimalism, and Deep Work. He's also the creator of The Time-Block Planner.

The videos are considered to be used under the "Fair Use Doctrine" of United States Copyright Law, Title 17 U.S. Code Sections 107-118. Videos are used for editorial and educational purposes only and I do not claim ownership of any original video content. I don't use said video clips in advertisements, marketing or for direct financial gain. All video content in each clip is considered owned by the individual broadcast companies.

#CalNewport #DeepWork #DeepLife #DeepQuestions #TimeblockPlanner
#WorldWithoutEmail #DeepQuestionsPodcast

[milenkomiljenovic]

I'm a gamer since high school. Mostly I played single player games.
Now I tend to play 1 hour every day, but with a twist. I play them on a foreign language so I can soak it.
I'm a strong believer of learning new languages through watching movies and playing video games.
Try it :)

[peterbruck]

17:32 The phantom article Cal is mentioning is most likely called "The power of being the best" from July 20 2007, you can still find it in his blog. It's the one linked to in the original article from 2011 he shows at the beginning of the show (0:52), I checked on wayback machine.

[JamieNicholson]

I embrace slow productivity in college and definitely relate to the discomfort of feeling I'm "not doing enough." Despite being the happiest and most outwardly accomplished I've ever been... it's a lot better than the anxiety of having a packed schedule though!

[beatbuildersstudio]

I loved the breakdown of slow productivity. I always think im not doing enough or being productive because in my head I can always do more.

[wilfredpadilla]

This is the first time I have heard of slow productivity. I think this will fit my life well. Thanks.

[taylorjanegreen]

Your work is remarkable. You are changing my life. Thank you. I love you distinguishing between a remarkable life, a deep life… as opposed to a successful life, a busy life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your passion for discovering and articulating all of this. You are changing lives.

[haudacia]

an answer to this question about doing enough is exactly what I needed

[keno]

Your explanation starting at 40:36 was really refreshing and affirming and makes me want to really dig my heels deeper into working on my craft. Thanks for the inspiration, Cal!

[kgbov]

I like Cal's wristwatch game. Could he be a watch nerd too?! Perhaps a four-hour podcast on watch movements is in order.

[chelseafama]

Hi Team Deep Questions! Cal, I will preorder your new book!!! I just explained to my BFF about Career Capital because it's exactly what she's doiny. Currently reading So Good

[balintpeterfuzes]

bought the audiobook, Cal! can't wait to listen to it :)

[crm]

Why do some people jump on the Deliberate Practice bandwagon, while others seem blissfully unaware it even exists?
Ever pondered what fuels ordinary folks to continuously stretch their skill levels, propelling them into the realm of elite performers (and unlocking the secrets of the "Relaxed Life of Super Achievers")?

Is it their elevated IQ, impressive street smarts, keen observation of life, upbringing by exemplary parents, or perhaps stumbling upon deliberate pursuit by accident? Maybe it's the magic of their practice perfectly aligning with their skills, talents, and interests, turning even tougher challenges into a joyride.

Or, it's the blend of some of those elements, concocting a secret sauce for whipping up an (almost) effortlessly remarkable life?
… love the post, it really struck a chord with me!!!

[anilaytac]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

00:00 The *paradox: Remarkable people often seem less busy. The video explores why remarkable individuals are less busy than those feeling overwhelmed.*
01:20 Cal *Newport refers to an article discussing a study on elite musicians' practice habits. Elite players focus on deliberate practice, not spreading their work throughout the day. They consolidate work into two well-defined periods, sleep more, and are more relaxed.*
05:57 Rare *skills fuel remarkability. Getting really good at something provides leverage, options, and opportunities for crafting a remarkable life through career capital.*
07:33 Combining *the ideas that rare skills don't require busyness but fuel remarkability, Newport concludes that remarkable lives don't require busyness.*
08:41 Two *traps: 1) As you get better, more opportunities arise, leading to busier lives. 2) Larger, more time-consuming tasks may be required even for the same activities.*
13:46 To *avoid the first trap, be cautious about adding more to your plate. Consider time-gating opportunities or exploring with tight time bounds.*
15:23 The *second trap is unavoidable; as you get better, tasks may become larger and more time-consuming. Suggests embracing natural variations in intensity and taking breaks.*
16:46 Newport *emphasizes the paradox: Remarkability comes from skill, not busyness. Craft a remarkable life by focusing on what you're good at, not by being overly busy.*
21:19 Maui *Venison offers ethical meat with low stress lives and deaths, contributing to wildfire-affected residents in Maui.*
21:46 Maui *Venison is a subscription service providing healthy and ethically sourced meat; use code "mauii venison" for a 20% discount.*
22:56 Mosh *Bars, founded by Maria Shriver and Patrick Schwarzenegger, promote brain health with high-protein snacks; use code "SLDEEP" for 20% off and free shipping.*
25:28 Cal *Newport explains the role of weekly planning in his productivity system, involving strategic reflection, calendar optimization, and task system review.*
29:53 Fixed *schedule productivity focuses on setting work hours in advance; non-professional tasks can be accommodated within those hours, emphasizing the importance of protecting work time.*
33:07 As *a grad student, prioritize research regularly, fitting other tasks around it; establish a daily writing routine for consistent progress.*
34:59 Slow *productivity challenges the notion of using busyness and exhaustion as markers of productivity; emphasizes doing fewer things at a natural pace, focusing on quality over quantity.*
40:49 Slow *productivity can be successful for smart and committed young knowledge workers; rejects the need for bigger short-term wins driven by busyness, advocating for the development of rare and valuable skills over time.*
41:44 Short-term *big wins are rare; big wins require time and long-term focus. Spending your 20s on mastering a valuable skill is crucial.*
43:28 Significant *accomplishments often happen in your 30s, not your 20s. Focus on your craft, say no to distractions, and resist the allure of shiny objects.*
45:48 Slow *productivity is psychologically sustainable and healthier for ambitious individuals. Use your 20s to build skills and know yourself before seeking public recognition.*
46:41 Question *about improving execution with an existing planning system: As you scale up (from daily to weekly to quarterly planning), loosen the specificity of your plans to allow for adaptability.*
51:11 Case *study on video games: High-quality single-player games can be like art, providing an immersive experience. Be cautious with addictive multiplayer games that can replace meaningful aspects of life.*
55:36 Blinkist: *An app offering book summaries and audio guides. Use it to triage books you're considering reading. Special offer for a 7-day free trial and 25% off a premium membership at blinkist.com deep.*
57:39 Policy *Genius: Simplifies life insurance comparison, ensuring you get the best coverage. Visit policygenius.com deep for free life insurance quotes and potential savings.*
01:00:00 New *Yorker article summary: Productivity advice evolves due to changing work demands. Historical perspectives on productivity guides reveal shifts in challenges and approaches over the decades.*
01:02:02 Historical *shifts in productivity advice: From 1959's time optimization to 80s self-actualization, 2001's automation focus, and the current challenges of pandemic-induced busyness and communication overload.*
01:03:25 Current *issues: Pandemic-related busyness, nihilism about work, and communication overload. Classic Cal Newport advice includes structured task systems, multiscale planning, and communication rules.*
01:05:01 Balancing *productivity approaches: Avoid the extremes of productivity fetishism and rejecting productivity thinking. The challenge is to reassess how we work without falling into endless tweaking, aiming for a sustainable approach to modern knowledge work.*

Made with HARPA AI

[RemoneCunningham]

That Mark example is happening to so many youtubers. They are ambitious and so they go after these oppourtunities but there is indeed a trade off. We have to learn to say NO. This was a good episode.

[ascensionbias]

@6:00 In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is King.

[benhulme]

Actually it gets better every lifetime.

[silverchairsg]

Hey Cal. I have a question. How do we learn to distinguish hype from actual expertise and to tell who or what is worth listening to, especially in fields we know nothing much about? For example, there are tons of AI channels on Youtube who cover the latest developments in AI. How do we know who is just speculating or talking crap, and who has actual deep expertise? Especially since I don't know that much about AI. This is even more applicable to fields like say investing or health where lots of people want to sell you something.

[ascensionbias]

@51:11 A lot of a-list games have downloadable content- free and paid for, this also, can be very dangerous.

Borderlands 3 being one example.

[WORKOUTSOLUTIONS]

We are not alone, God is with us ❤☦🙏💪🤗

❤‍🔥🔥😍✌🥅🎯👩‍❤‍👨💪🕊🙏✝GOD BLESS ☦️🙏💒🌟👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🫶🧗‍♂️🎄🥇🚨🙌💯❤🤗

[fnt]

the information i have…the low fat in venison is not desirable…