Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 299: Our Love/Hate Relationship with Personal Productivity

Mon May 06 2024

book promotionproductivity literaturestress-free productivitysimplificationminimalismfinding meaning in student lifedeconstructing productivityproductivity critique movementknowledge managementdeep workintentional livingsustainable statusbook recommendationsrunningphilosophy

Description

The episode explores the evolution of book promotion, shifts in productivity literature, introduction of stress-free productivity, and the transition towards simplification and minimalism. It delves into finding meaning in student life, deconstructing productivity, and the productivity critique movement. The episode also covers effective knowledge management, building the skill of deep work, intentional living, and choosing sustainable status. Book recommendations and reviews are discussed, along with insights on running and philosophy.

Insights

Evolution of Book Promotion

Cal Newport reflects on the two-month mark since his book Slow Productive was released and discusses the evolution of book promotion from traditional methods to podcasts.

Shifts in Productivity Literature

In the 1990s, two major tones of productivity books emerged: one focused on human flourishing and thriving with systems like Stephen Covey's 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,' and the other providing sage advice for professional success like Jeffrey Fox's 'How to Become CEO.'

Introduction of Stress-Free Productivity

Alan introduced the concept of stress-free productivity to combat the overwhelming volume and velocity of work in the early 2000s.

Shift towards Simplification and Minimalism

The focus of productivity shifted from complex systems to simplification and achieving a better quality of life

Finding Meaning in Student Life

The speaker discusses finding meaning in student life by enjoying the journey and not just focusing on the end goal.

Deconstructing Productivity

Greg emphasized the importance of pushing back against overwhelming workloads and focusing on tasks that truly matter

Productivity Winter and Practical Discussions

The post-Trump era saw a surge in left-wing academic ideas critiquing productivity, including postmodern and critical race theory perspectives.

Nuanced Approach to Productivity

Productivity discussions should focus on doing great work and having a sustainable life simultaneously.

Psychological Distress and Personal Productivity

The podcast discusses the importance of addressing psychological distress for professional flourishing and productivity.

Science of Learning and Improvement

The podcast discusses a book by Scott H. Young that delves into the science of learning and improvement.

Chapters

Summary

Transcript

Evolution of Book Promotion

00:11 - 06:58

Cal Newport reflects on the two-month mark since his book Slow Productive was released and discusses the evolution of book promotion from traditional methods to podcasts.
He shares his experience with promoting his previous books and how they gained traction over time, highlighting the impact of positive reviews and mentions in media.
Newport announces plans for a deep dive into his 20-year history as a writer focusing on productivity topics, including a Q&A segment with Scott Young about mastering hard skills.
He outlines his upcoming content, including discussing the changing relationship with personal productivity over the years and sharing insights on what is important in current times for getting things done.

Shifts in Productivity Literature

06:30 - 14:03

In the 1990s, two major tones of productivity books emerged: one focused on human flourishing and thriving with systems like Stephen Covey's 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,' and the other providing sage advice for professional success like Jeffrey Fox's 'How to Become CEO.'
The shift in productivity literature in the early 2000s was marked by David Allen's 'Getting Things Done,' which emphasized stress-free productivity by organizing thoughts and tasks to unleash creative potential.

Introduction of Stress-Free Productivity

13:34 - 20:30

Alan introduced the concept of stress-free productivity to combat the overwhelming volume and velocity of work in the early 2000s.
The personal productivity world initially believed that using new tools would help manage the increasing workload, leading to more technical and complex systems like Getting Things Done workflow.
Blogs like Merlin Man's 43 Fold emerged during this time, focusing on implementing advanced technology and software for productivity solutions.
There was a trend towards creating highly complicated techno systems, known as 'prong,' to cope with the unsustainable nature of work brought about by technological advancements.
The speaker's first two books were influenced by a different mindset from GTD style thinking, drawing from a 90s approach with provocative rules aimed at students.

Shift towards Simplification and Minimalism

20:15 - 27:18

The focus of productivity shifted from complex systems to simplification and achieving a better quality of life
Tim Ferriss's book 'Escape 9-5 Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich' introduced radical ideas about lifestyle design and changing the way people think about work
The financial crisis further fueled the desire for a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle, leading to a movement towards minimalism
The shift in mindset influenced the author's writing career, focusing on helping students reduce stress and find meaning in their academic lives

Finding Meaning in Student Life

26:55 - 33:23

The speaker discusses finding meaning in student life by enjoying the journey and not just focusing on the end goal.
The speaker's blog motto during a particular period was 'do less, do better, know why,' promoting a slower and more engaging approach to success.
The speaker's book 'How to Come High School Superstar' advocated for a less stressful and overloaded approach to achieving success in academics.
The speaker's book 'So Good They Can't Ignore You' emphasizes building a career based on control and expertise rather than blindly following passion.
A shift occurred in the productivity space towards fighting back against overwhelming workloads within traditional job structures, exemplified by Greg McEwen's book 'Essentialism.'

Deconstructing Productivity

32:56 - 40:14

Greg emphasized the importance of pushing back against overwhelming workloads and focusing on tasks that truly matter
Books like 'Deep Work' and 'The One Thing' advocated for prioritizing undistracted focus over high velocity and interruptions in the workplace
The period from 2019 to 2023 marked a shift towards deconstructing productivity, with books like 'How to Do Nothing?' challenging capitalist narratives of efficiency and techno determinism
Jenny Odell's book 'How to Do Nothing?' introduced academic formalisms into discussions about work and productivity by adapting Marxist arguments to modern information age issues

Productivity Winter and Practical Discussions

39:51 - 46:56

The post-Trump era saw a surge in left-wing academic ideas critiquing productivity, including postmodern and critical race theory perspectives.
The 'productivity winter' involved deconstructing productivity and questioning who is being left out of the discourse.
Elite academic energy focused on critiquing productivity, leading to a mix of Marxist and postmodern arguments.
The exhaustion from knowledge work and fast-paced working environments fueled the productivity critique movement.
Despite efforts to deconstruct productivity, the underlying issues of excessive workload persisted.
Transitioning out of the productivity winter, there is a shift towards practical discussions on personal productivity.

Nuanced Approach to Productivity

46:31 - 53:18

Productivity discussions should focus on doing great work and having a sustainable life simultaneously.
Humanistic productivity emphasizes dignity, quality, clear deadlines, and organization as key pillars.
The history of productivity has evolved over the past 20 years, moving away from hustle culture towards a more nuanced approach.
Future changes in productivity may be influenced by advancements in AI and the need for systemic changes in knowledge work.

Psychological Distress and Personal Productivity

53:00 - 59:56

The podcast discusses the importance of addressing psychological distress for professional flourishing and productivity.
BetterHelp is highlighted as a platform that provides convenient access to professional therapy for dealing with psychological aspects.
Notion is promoted as a tool that helps in building custom information systems and processes, integrating AI features for improved efficiency.
The Q&A session features special guest Scott Young, known for his expertise in learning and intentional living, discussing his new book 'Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery.'

Science of Learning and Improvement

59:34 - 1:05:37

The podcast discusses a book by Scott H. Young that delves into the science of learning and improvement.
The book breaks down learning into three components: learning from others, practice, and feedback.
Common pitfalls in mastering skills include not understanding best practices or lacking sufficient practice.
Understanding the actual process of mastering a skill is emphasized over creating one's own story about it.
Productivity-related questions are raised, including challenges with file organization hindering deep work blocks.

Effective Knowledge Management

1:05:21 - 1:11:37

The Para method by Tiago Forte focuses on organizing knowledge and information effectively, especially for big projects with lots of files.
Creating tags or breadcrumbs in an external knowledge management system can make it easier to retrieve information later based on the context in which it will be needed.
Having a good file system is crucial for managing research efficiently, as disorganized systems can make it difficult to find relevant information when needed.
Simpler, low-friction systems for personal information management can be more effective than complex systems that may deter usage due to high entry barriers.
Using tools like Scrivener for organizing research materials into folders can help maintain a manageable system with low friction for easy retrieval.

Organizing Research Papers

1:11:09 - 1:17:23

The speaker used an archive software to organize research papers by creating notes and linking them together.
They found it necessary to refactor their system as the project grew in complexity, similar to how programmers refactor code.
The speaker created a system for connecting papers by using brief citations and organizing files by author names.
Organizing information helped the speaker find references easily, especially when compiling stories from multiple sources.
Having a key document with descriptions of papers proved useful for quickly referencing relevant research.
The focus was on building a system that solves existing problems rather than expecting the system to generate new insights automatically.

Balancing Complexity and Effort

1:17:00 - 1:23:31

Balancing the complexity of a note-taking system to avoid slowing down information processing.
Effort towards goals should not be minimal to achieve sustainable success in professional life.
Adopting lifestyle-centric planning can provide a clearer purpose and motivation for work.
Recognizing the destructive cycle of diminishing effort and quality in work due to deep procrastination.

Avoiding Deep Procrastination

1:23:07 - 1:29:52

People may not think about their goals if things come easy to them, leading to a lack of motivation and challenge.
Seeking out challenges that match one's abilities can help in avoiding coasting through tasks and pushing oneself to try harder.
Having clear goals and reasons for working on difficult tasks can break the cycle of deep procrastination.
Monk mode, as a way to escape constant context switching and distractions, may not be necessary if daily work is structured to minimize these interruptions.

Building the Skill of Deep Work

1:29:26 - 1:35:27

Transitioning into a focused work mode, akin to monk mode, can help in tackling cognitively demanding tasks
Creating constraints and rituals around deep work can improve productivity and concentration
Deliberate scheduling of deep work hours and physical removal from distractions can aid in building the skill of sustained cognitive effort
Consistent practice of deep work can lead to increased comfort with sustained concentration and cognitive strain

Monk Mode Morning and Process Over Tools

1:35:09 - 1:41:14

Implementing a 'monk mode morning' with uninterrupted time allowed for significant progress on important tasks.
Transitioning from checklist-based productivity to deep work focusing on complex, non-linear tasks as one's career matures.
Emphasizing the importance of process over tools in managing complex knowledge work jobs.

Structured Task Management and Non-Interruptive Communication

1:40:47 - 1:47:08

Some people focus on writing a certain number of words per day to achieve productivity, but for others, focusing on time blocks and avoiding interruptions is more effective.
Structured task management with tools like Trello or Google Docs can help keep track of projects and relevant information in one place.
Multi-scale planning involving quarterly, weekly, and daily plans is essential for managing complex tasks effectively.
Non-interruptive communication strategies such as daily office hours and group meetings with dockets can prevent distractions and enhance productivity.
Deep productivity processes do not necessarily require complex technology; simple tools like Zoom for office hours and Google Docs for dockets can be highly effective.
Productivity tools should complement individual workflows rather than dictate them, emphasizing the importance of understanding personal needs before selecting tools.

Underrated Habits and Intentional Living

1:46:55 - 1:53:36

Underrated habits for a great life include having family dinners and spending time with loved ones, as well as making time for hobbies.
Human connection and relationships are crucial for happiness, even more so than financial success.
Living intentionally by directly engineering the lifestyle you want is underrated compared to pursuing big goals in hopes of fulfillment.
Focusing on lifestyle-centric planning and practicing activities related to your goals can be more effective than solely pursuing a single cause or passion.

Choosing Sustainable Status and Slow Productivity

1:53:20 - 1:59:56

Motivation can stem from status anxiety, leading to self-delusion about one's goals and desires.
Courage is needed to push back against the societal pressure to constantly seek higher status and instead focus on what truly makes one happy.
Choosing sustainable status over constant comparison and competition can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Embracing slow productivity outside of work can have positive effects on personal life and relationships, allowing for a more intentional and quality-focused approach.

Book Recommendations and Reviews

1:59:37 - 2:06:48

The transcript discusses a book titled 'Get Better at Anything: 12 Maximums for Mastery' by Scott, recommended as a handbook for achieving mastery in various aspects of life.
The book is described as deeply based on science and approachable, providing practical steps for improvement.
The host expresses gratitude to Scott for writing the book and recommends it to listeners.
The podcast also features discussions about finding doctors through Zocdoc and using Shopify for e-commerce purposes.
A book review segment is mentioned where the host talks about 'An Empire of Their Own' by Neil Gabler, focusing on early tycoons of Hollywood.

Book Recommendations Continued

2:06:28 - 2:13:08

The first book discussed is a well-written but somewhat slow read that focuses more on psychoanalytical biography than technical history of early film technologies.
Ethan Molick's book 'Co-intelligence' provides a conversational and informative overview of AI, catering to those looking to understand the latest advancements in the field.
Carl Sagan's 'Dragons of Eden' delves into neuroscience and evolution, exploring how our brains evolved and touching on the evolutionary origins of fear and fantasy.
Sagan's book won a Pulitzer Prize for its innovative ideas in neuroscience, highlighting his transition from a professor to a public science personality.
'The Perfect Mile' by Neil Bascom is praised for its engaging narrative style, following the quest to break the four-minute mile record by three different runners with distinct training approaches.

Insights on Running and Philosophy

2:12:39 - 2:18:43

Different versions of amateurism in running are discussed - British, Australian, and American.
The book 'The Perfect Mile' is mentioned as a well-researched and well-written book about running.
The podcast host praises the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks for his writing style and ability to summarize philosophical ideas from various thinkers.
Jonathan Sacks' book 'To Heal a Fractured World' is highlighted for its exploration of ethics and the rise of monotheism.