Ep. 320: Jobs and the Deep Life

One of the single most important factors in your attempts to cultivate a deep life is your job. Yet, many people don’t give much thought to the role their work will play in their conception of a life well-lived. In this episode, Cal looks deeper at this topic. He starts by outlining four common traps people fall into when thinking about their work and happiness, then offers an alternative model that works better. He continues by answering listener questions about jobs and happiness, and ends with a look at Robert Caro’s writing shack.

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: Jobs and the Deep Life [3:43]

- How can I tame my 12-hour work days? [26:25]
- Should I worry about having too many daily metrics? [29:49]
- How can I create an inspiring deep work environment if I work out of my car? [33:24]
- How can I remain accessible to my kid's daycare without being constantly distracted? [35:36] 
- How can I use the principles of slow productivity for my MBA studies? [39:58]
- CALL: Applying Cal’s principles as a new parent [45:49]

CASE STUDY: Focused work for a PhD program [51:37] 

CAL REACTS: Robert Caro’s Budget Writing Shack [1:01:18]

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/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?tumblr.austinkleon.com/post/761805215728009216/in-the-shack-with-robert-caro-he-bought-the-prefab

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

notion.com/cal
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oracle.com/deepquestions
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Chapters

• 3:43 Deep Dive: Jobs and the Deep Life
• 26:25 How can I tame my 12 hour work days?
• 29:49 Should I worry about having too many daily metrics?
• 33:24 How can I create an inspiring deep work environment if I work out of my car?
• 35:36 How can I remain accessible to my kids daycare without being constantly distracted?
• 39:58 How can I use the principles of slow productivity for my MBA studies?
• 45:49 CALL: Applying Cal’s principles as a new parent
• 51:37 CASE STUDY: Focused work for a PhD program
• 1:01:18 CAL REACTS: Robert Caro’s Budget Writing Shack