# How To Disappear To Transform Yourself | Cal Newport ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X-No3_zwagI/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Time to Unplug [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=0s) - The dynamics leading up to elections, especially [[United States | American]] presidential elections, amplify the interruptive nature of digital content, making people feel compelled to constantly check social media, online news, or newsletters for updates on highly salient breaking news or hot takes [(00:00:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=39s). - This trend is problematic because [[Context switch | context switching]] is an expensive neural operation that can take 5-20 minutes for the mind to completely change cognitive context, leading to mental exhaustion and drained feelings when constantly switching between tasks [(00:01:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=101s). - The interruptive nature of digital content is heightened during elections due to the strong sense that there could be breaking news at any moment, making people feel the need to constantly check their devices [(00:00:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=59s). - The emotional salience of digital content is also amplified during the pre-election season, making people more likely to see content that creates strong emotional reactions such as happiness, upset, outrage, fear, or frustration [(00:02:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=177s). - This amplification of emotional salience is due to the competition among content creators to move their content to the top of the curation wars, leading to an intense informational [[Darwinism | Darwinian]] battle for attention [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=211s). - The algorithmic and cybernetic dynamics of social media platforms, such as [[Twitter]], contribute to this amplification, with hundreds of millions of tweets generated daily and only a couple hundred making it to the average user's attention [(00:03:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=213s). - The result of these dynamics is an incoherent cognitive context, leading to feelings of mental exhaustion and drained energy, which people often associate with the pre-election period [(00:02:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=149s). - The digital landscape, particularly social media platforms like Twitter, is an incredibly complex competition where the most attention-grabbing content tends to win, and this can be draining and exhausting, especially during election cycles [(00:04:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=247s). - The constant exposure to digital content can scramble minds and strain nervous systems, making it essential to take a break and reassess one's relationship with technology [(00:04:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=278s). - A proposal has been made to take a substantial break from digital content sources that have been exhausting and draining, using the post-election period as an opportunity to reform one's relationship with the digital world [(00:05:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=355s). - Four specific suggestions have been made to achieve this: taking a break from social media, stopping the consumption of news podcasts, avoiding hot takes and opinion pieces, and finding alternative sources of information [(00:06:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=381s). - Taking a break from social media is strongly suggested, especially for those who are not professional commentators, as it can have a negative physiological and psychological impact during election seasons [(00:07:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=431s). - Stopping the consumption of news podcasts is also recommended, as they can be overwhelming and immersive, and this podcast is intended to be an antidote to news podcasts [(00:07:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=452s). - The goal of these suggestions is to provide a healing opportunity for individuals to step away from the exhausting digital chatter and reform their relationship with technology [(00:05:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=339s). - To transform oneself, it's essential to take a temporary break from certain types of information and conversations, especially those related to news and politics, to avoid further immersion in trauma or celebration, depending on one's perspective on the political spectrum [(00:08:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=485s). - A temporary break should be taken from news roundup style podcasts, news analysis podcasts, and independent media podcasts, such as [[The Daily (podcast) | The Daily]], [[The Dispatch]], and Barry Weiss's podcast, to get away from the constant stream of news and analysis [(00:08:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=503s). - Unsubscribing from political newsletters, at least for a while, is also recommended, as they often clog inboxes with hot takes and tired infighting, which can contribute to feelings of burnout and being drained [(00:08:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=525s). - Switching to a slower pace of media consumption is suggested, and one way to do this is by picking up an old-fashioned printed newspaper, free from algorithmic optimization and clickbait curation, to check in on major events in the world [(00:09:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=589s). - [[Reading]] a printed newspaper, such as a Sunday only paper subscription, can be a good way to stay informed about current events without being overwhelmed by the constant stream of news on social media, podcasts, and newsletters [(00:10:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=611s). - This approach allows for a more curated and balanced view of the news, as newspapers are not algorithmic and do not customize their content to individual interests, providing a more comprehensive understanding of current events [(00:11:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=691s). - News about events such as missile barrages in [[Kurdistan]] may not be widely known due to limited social media coverage, but reading an article about the topic can provide a more in-depth understanding without requiring constant updates on the latest developments [(00:11:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=707s). - Consuming news in this way can reduce the footprint of news on one's day-to-day attentional landscape, allowing for a more focused and less informed approach to staying up-to-date [(00:12:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=732s). - A new book titled "Slow [[Productivity]]: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout" is available, which explores ideas discussed in the video, and a free excerpt can be obtained at [[Cal Newport | Calnewport.com]] [(00:12:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=747s). - Redirecting newly liberated attention towards real community with people who live nearby can help retrain the brain to stop thinking of the world as hopelessly fractured into vicious tribes [(00:13:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=798s). - Spending time with real people in real situations can rewire one's perception of the world, making it harder to see the world through a lens of hatred [(00:15:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=927s). - The digital world can create a reality where people are defined by their allegiance to a particular team or issue, leading to a mindset where individuals feel the need to publicly signal their allegiance [(00:14:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=881s). - This mindset is a result of digital media and can be overcome by engaging with real people and activities unrelated to online conflicts [(00:15:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=915s). - Humans are wired to cooperate and empathize with people they don't know, which allowed [[Human | Homo sapiens]] to succeed at a global level, unlike other closely related hominid species that couldn't cooperate with non-kin and ultimately failed to grow large trade networks or cities [(00:15:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=938s). - Being around real people and engaging in human interaction can retrain one's instincts, leading to increased happiness and reduced upset [(00:16:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=980s). - [[Reading]] books can provide a deeper understanding of issues, challenge perceptions, and sharpen and sophisticate one's understandings and beliefs in ways that online content cannot [(00:16:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=987s). - Books offer a slower and more meaningful way to gain a better understanding of the world, as opposed to trying to make sense of things through a multitude of hot takes or podcast interviews [(00:17:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=1058s). - Reading books that help one better understand what's going on in their country can be a valuable way to gain insight, as it provides a slower and more meaningful encounter with relevant ideas [(00:17:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=1064s). - In 2016, after the [[Donald Trump | Trump]] victory, there was a feeling of bafflement among some people, particularly those who were supporters of [[Barack Obama | Obama]] and had never been exposed to the mindset of Trump voters [(00:18:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=1111s). - To gain a better understanding of the opposing viewpoint, one can read books from different perspectives, including center-left, center-right, and other viewpoints, as a way to increase empathy and understanding [(00:19:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=1141s). - Reading books such as Thomas Frank's "Listen, Liberal", which discusses the evolution of the [[Democratic Party (United States) | Democratic Party]], can provide valuable insights into the complexities of politics and society [(00:19:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=1162s). ## How do I organize all the information in my life? [(00:36:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2201s) - To organize information effectively, it's essential to have both a digital and physical filing cabinet, where important documents and files are stored in a structured manner [(00:37:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2225s). - A physical filing cabinet is a literal storage space with folders and hanging folders, while a digital filing cabinet is a specific directory tree on a computer where information is stored [(00:37:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2229s). - The digital filing cabinet should be treated like a physical one, with a clear organizational structure, and it's recommended to use encrypted backup services like [[Dropbox]] to ensure the files are safely stored and can be accessed online [(00:37:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2271s). - Important information, such as emails or documents, should be printed or exported as a PDF and stored in either the physical or digital filing cabinet, rather than leaving them in an inbox or other temporary storage [(00:38:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2306s). - It's not necessary to replicate information between the physical and digital filing cabinets, but rather to choose one or the other for each item [(00:39:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2342s). - The concept of a "trusted storage system" from [[David Allen (author) | David Allen]] emphasizes that information is not considered stored until it's in one of the designated filing cabinets [(00:39:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2360s). - Simplifying the storage options to just physical and digital filing cabinets can help reduce stress and make it easier to manage information [(00:39:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2384s). - Once important information is stored in one of the filing cabinets, it's not necessary to worry about other storage locations, such as archived emails [(00:39:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2392s). ## How can I do a side hustle if it’s against company policy? [(00:40:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2404s) - A person has a job with a strict conflict of interest policy, preventing them from performing their craft on the side, and wants to start their own indie business, which goes against the advice to prove that you can make money doing something before quitting your day job [(00:40:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2404s). - The advice to use money as a neutral indicator of value means that people are happy to give verbal praise, but they are less likely to give you their money, so you should try to sell your idea or product to see if people are willing to pay for it [(00:40:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2427s). - Verbal praise or affirmation from others means nothing, as people might not know anything about your idea or are just trying to be nice, but if people are willing to give you their money, it's a sign that your idea has value [(00:40:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2446s). - If you can't sell your idea or product, it's not good enough to make a living on it, and you should consider alternative options, such as getting a big enough book advance or finding a different idea [(00:41:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2471s). - If you have a contract that prevents you from trying your idea on the side, you can still apply the advice by soliciting job offers from other companies, which can be a neutral indicator of value for your skills [(00:41:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2510s). - A job offer from another company can be a sign that your skills are valued, and you can use this as a way to transition to a new job that better fits your lifestyle and goals [(00:42:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2531s). - You can use the marketplace to see if there are other job opportunities that align with your skills and values, and if you can get a job offer that is sufficiently large, it can be a sign that your skills are in demand [(00:42:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2544s). - Jamie, also known as Jesse, is a producer for [[Joe Rogan | The Joe Rogan]] podcast and has a similar name and appearance to the speaker, which could make it easy for him to "disappear" and transform himself if he wanted to, by simply changing his name and keeping a low profile [(00:43:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2599s). - Jesse likely earns a significant amount of money from his work on The Joe Rogan podcast, which has a massive following and generates a substantial income, with Joe Rogan reportedly making around $30 million a year [(00:43:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2627s). - The Joe Rogan podcast has a relatively small operation, with Jesse handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, including putting files online and running the show, while Joe Rogan focuses on booking guests and conducting interviews [(00:44:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2652s). - To get on The Joe Rogan podcast, it typically requires a personal connection, with someone who knows Joe Rogan reaching out to the potential guest and asking if they can share their phone number, after which Joe Rogan will text the guest to discuss a potential appearance [(00:44:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2673s). - The speaker jokingly worries that if Jesse were to produce their podcast as well, it would create a conflict of interest, as both shows have a large following and would be competing for attention, with the speaker's podcast and The Joe Rogan podcast combined reaching around 5 million views per week [(00:45:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2731s). ## What is “Humanist Productivity”? [(00:46:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2786s) - There are two major definitions of [[Productivity | productivity]] that have dominated economic life, and a third option called humanist productivity is proposed as a better alternative [(00:46:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2819s). - The first definition of productivity, which emerged in the 18th century, is a ratio of output per unit input, such as bushels of corn per acres of land cultivated or number of model T's produced per paid worker hour [(00:47:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2836s). - This ratio-based productivity is the standard economic metric used to measure a country's productivity or productivity growth, typically by dividing the economic output of a sector by the number of people who work in the sector [(00:47:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2865s). - Ratio-based productivity was at the core of most economic growth that funded the Western world today, as argued by Peter jer, and led to massive explosions in economic growth through innovations and techniques that increased the ratio [(00:48:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2894s). - However, this definition doesn't cleanly apply to knowledge work, which became a major sector in the 20th century, as knowledge workers don't produce tangible outputs and work on many different projects, making it hard to measure their productivity [(00:48:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2921s). - As a result, a second notion of productivity, called pseudo-productivity, emerged in the knowledge work space, which uses visible effort as a proxy for useful effort, assuming that more activity is better, even if its direct impact on the bottom line is unclear [(00:49:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=2970s). - The traditional measure of [[Productivity | productivity]], which has been in place since the 1950s, is based on the amount of time spent at the office and has become less effective with the advent of email and mobile computing, leading to an exhausting and deranging work environment [(00:50:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3001s). - This pseudo-productivity measure has created inequities, where individuals with more free time can demonstrate visible activity by doing non-essential tasks, while those with family or other commitments are at a disadvantage [(00:51:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3063s). - Humanist productivity, on the other hand, focuses on optimizing an individual's flourishing as a person, rather than just their output or visible activity [(00:51:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3090s). - To achieve humanist productivity, individuals need to take control of their time, attention, and work, allowing them to accomplish their tasks on their own terms and have time for other important aspects of their life [(00:51:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3099s). - This approach enables individuals to prioritize their well-being, relationships, and community involvement, while still being productive and advancing their careers [(00:52:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3129s). - Humanist productivity is distinct from ratio-based productivity, which focuses on optimizing output, and pseudo-productivity, which prioritizes visible activity [(00:52:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3147s). - The anti-[[Productivity | productivity]] movement often presents a false binary choice between industrial-style productivity and abandoning productivity discussions altogether, but humanist productivity offers a third option that prioritizes individual flourishing [(00:52:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3170s). - To achieve [[Human | human]] flourishing, one should learn the tools of productivity to control tasks, time, and attention, and then use these tools to aim towards human flourishing, which is the core of humanist productivity [(00:53:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3197s). - Pseudo productivity can be extremely stressful, and stepping away from organizational thinking can also be stressful, leading to more work, stress, and frustration [(00:53:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3204s). - Humanist productivity involves using tools to control tasks, time, and attention, and then directing them towards human flourishing, rather than just being productive for its own sake [(00:53:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3220s). - There are several books that can help with humanist productivity, including "[[The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People]]", "[[Getting Things Done]]", "The 4-Hour Work Week", "[[Essentialism]]", "4,000 Weeks", "How to Do Nothing", and "Make Time" [(00:53:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3231s). - Another book that can be added to this list is "Eruption" by Michael Kryon and [[James Patterson]], which offers wisdom for human living [(00:54:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3257s). - Being distracted by one's phone can be a significant obstacle to [[Productivity | productivity]] and human flourishing, as evidenced by the question from Joel, a software student [(00:54:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3284s). ## Should I use a flip phone in college? [(00:54:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3288s) - The problem of technology's negative impact on certain aspects of life cannot be solved solely by changing the technology itself, but rather by changing behaviors and processes [(00:55:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3307s). - The tools one owns do not necessarily determine the rhythms of their life, and changing tools is not the only way to change undesirable rhythms [(00:55:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3321s). - If a strong addiction to a smartphone is present, replacing it with a non-smartphone, such as a flip phone, may be helpful, but it is not the technology itself that matters, but rather the rules and systems in place [(00:55:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3350s). - In college, it is beneficial to have academic sessions with no [[Context switch | context switching]], such as quick checks of phones, text messages, social media, or the web, as this can be like having a "superpower" that allows for faster completion of assignments and better performance [(00:56:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3371s). - To achieve this, it is suggested to study with zero connectivity, turning off Wi-Fi on computers and not bringing phones to study sessions [(00:56:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3408s). - If internet use is necessary, it should be done in a separate session, and gathering all necessary information beforehand can help minimize distractions [(00:57:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3432s). - Practicing studying without connectivity can be challenging at first, but it can become easier over time, and it is recommended to regularly practice being disconnected outside of study sessions as well [(00:57:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3444s). - Doing daily activities without a phone, such as having a meal or dropping off a book at the library, can help get used to the idea of being disconnected and make study sessions more successful [(00:57:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3456s). - Using timers can be helpful in study sessions, as setting a specific goal, such as studying for 50 minutes without looking at a phone, can make it easier to succeed [(00:57:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3478s). - Outside of practicing studying and writing without connectivity, the type of technology used does not matter, and it is recommended to focus on developing good habits and rules rather than relying on specific tools [(00:58:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3511s). ## How can I work at a natural place in a software company? [(00:59:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3549s) - The concept of Sprints from agile software development methodologies involves focusing on a single task or feature until it's completed, which can be beneficial for [[Productivity | productivity]] and reducing administrative overhead [(00:59:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3595s). - Sprints can be compatible with working at a natural pace, allowing for variations in intensity on multiple time scales, as humans are not meant to work at maximum capacity all the time [(01:00:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3659s). - Working at a natural pace involves recognizing the need for down cycles and rest periods to avoid burnout and maintain effectiveness [(01:01:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3661s). - Some companies, like [[37signals | Basecamp]], explicitly incorporate down cycles into their workflow, where employees take time to reflect, recharge, and close loose ends after completing a [[Sprint (running) | Sprint]] [(01:01:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3695s). - Individuals can also implement a similar methodology by requesting time to recharge and close loose ends after a challenging Sprint, which can be beneficial for productivity and overall well-being [(01:02:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3725s). - Sprints can also provide autonomy and flexibility, allowing individuals to vary their intensity and work at a natural pace on a smaller scale [(01:02:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3746s). - Working on a single feature allows for intense focus and flexibility in scheduling, enabling individuals to take breaks and recharge without impacting their overall [[Productivity | productivity]] [(01:02:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3760s). - In contrast, typical pseudo-productivity environments involve working on multiple tasks simultaneously, making it challenging to downcycle intensity or take time off without being noticed [(01:02:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3779s). - Having a single focus enables individuals to work at their natural pace, sprinting when needed, and taking breaks without negatively impacting their overall performance [(01:03:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3825s). - The habit of requiring employees to be constantly available on platforms like [[Slack (software) | Slack]] can be counterproductive, making them less effective in their work [(01:04:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3843s). - Working at a natural pace, compatible with sprints, allows individuals to be more flexible and efficient in their work [(01:04:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3852s). - When doing good work, the biggest fear of an employer is losing the employee, and this mindset shift can lead to more autonomy and flexibility in the workplace [(01:04:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3876s). - Employers are more likely to accommodate requests for time off or flexible scheduling when they value their employees and don't want to lose them [(01:05:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3919s). - The example of Steph Curry's success in basketball is used to illustrate the importance of focus, hard work, and dedication in achieving excellence [(01:05:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3949s). - A question is presented, followed by theme music, to introduce a call from a listener named Amy, who is a PhD student [(01:06:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3960s) - Amy is about to ask a question, and her call is being introduced by the host, Jesse [(01:06:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3970s) ## Oliver Burkeman and imperfectionism [(01:06:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=3975s) - To have a career that allows for a desired lifestyle, it's essential to focus on producing work with unambiguously valuable capabilities or skills, which can be used as leverage to shape one's professional life [(01:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4010s). - Having tangible evidence of the value of one's work, such as sales figures or client praise, is crucial for career advancement and lifestyle-centric planning [(01:06:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4016s). - Oliver Burkeman's career is an example of lifestyle-centric planning, where he was able to engineer a lifestyle that allows him to write books and enjoy his free time due to his success as a journalist and author [(01:07:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4072s). - Burkeman's lifestyle is a result of his ability to produce high-quality work, which enabled him to take control of his profession and shape his ideal lifestyle [(01:07:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4078s). - To achieve a desired lifestyle, one should focus on producing high-quality work that is too good to be ignored, even if it means facing the possibility of unambiguous negative evaluation [(01:09:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4141s). - Not everyone needs to strive for unambiguously valuable work, but for those who want to make radical changes in their lives, taking risks and facing the possibility of notable failure is necessary [(01:10:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4205s). - Having a clear vision of one's ideal lifestyle is essential for making decisions about one's career and profession, and it's necessary to be willing to take risks to achieve that vision [(01:10:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4225s). - Ultimately, the goal is to produce work that is too good to be ignored, which can provide the leverage needed to make significant changes in one's life and achieve a desired lifestyle [(01:10:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4242s). ## Managing with slow productivity [(01:10:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4257s) - Susan, a new manager, was initially unclear about what to include her direct report in and when, so she cc'd him on everything and invited him to every meeting, which led to unclear expectations and workload management issues [(01:10:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4257s). - After implementing changes inspired by the concept of slow [[Productivity | productivity]], Susan drastically improved her clarity by whittling down non-productive work, meeting more often for short updates, and limiting her direct report's projects to a maximum of three in a shared list [(01:11:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4308s). - Susan also started sharing her project list with her direct report, which initially made her uncomfortable but ultimately led to increased accountability and collaboration [(01:12:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4334s). - By making workload management explicit, Susan was able to structure effort, making it more sustainable and easier, and improving overall effectiveness [(01:14:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4452s). - The key concept demonstrated by Susan is from principle one of the book "Slow Productivity," which emphasizes the importance of managing workloads better in knowledge work [(01:12:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4360s). - Susan's approach included being explicit about what her direct report was working on, limiting concurrent tasks, and implementing a communication protocol with regular meetings to reduce the need for one-off emails and increase efficiency [(01:13:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4380s). - The regular meetings, held three times a week, allowed for efficient updates and reduced the need for constant email checking and stress [(01:13:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4411s). - Midstar Health is a sponsor, and they provided a free MRI and a blood trend Fusion as a gift after a board meeting, with their logo printed on a big white mug [(01:14:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4464s). - My Body Tutor is a 100% online coaching program that solves the biggest problem in health and fitness, which is the lack of consistency, by simplifying the process and introducing accountability through a dedicated coach [(01:15:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4502s). - My Body Tutor assigns users to a coach who they check in with daily using a custom app to discuss exercise and nutrition behavior, which helps users adapt to specific situations and achieve results [(01:15:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4528s). - The program is popular because it works, and having an online coach is not as expensive as having a personal trainer or nutritionist [(01:16:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4581s). - Users can find out more about My Body Tutor at mybodytutor.com, and mentioning "deep questions" when signing up will give them $50 off their first month [(01:16:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4599s). - The Commuter Collection from Rhone is a clothing option that is comfortable, breathable, and versatile, with premium pieces that elevate every occasion [(01:17:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4622s). - Rhone's signature technical fabrics stretch in every direction, breathe, fight odor, and work effortlessly everywhere, making them ideal for active individuals who want to look good and feel comfortable [(01:17:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4670s). - The commuter collection has wrinkle release technology, which allows wrinkles to leave as you go through the day, eliminating the need to worry about packing and having wrinkled clothes [(01:18:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4699s). - The commuter collection is machine washable and does not require dry cleaning [(01:18:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4708s). - The collection features gold Fusion anti-odor technology, which helps you stay fresh throughout a long day [(01:18:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4710s). - The commuter collection is suitable for getting through any workday and transitioning into other activities [(01:18:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4717s). - A promo code "Cal" can be used to save 20% off the entire order when shopping at Rane.com [(01:18:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4723s). - The goal is to embody one's most confident self [(01:18:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4732s). ## Martha Stewart’s Productivity Tips [(01:19:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4744s) - Martha Stewart's early career involved managing multiple projects simultaneously, including renovating her property, running a catering company, and writing books, which sparked curiosity about her time management skills [(01:19:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4745s). - [[Martha Stewart]] wrote a book on time management called "Martha Stewart's Organizing," but its tips, such as keeping kitchen drawers organized and using a planner, seem unrelated to how she managed her busy life and empire [(01:21:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4863s). - The book's advice focuses on aesthetic [[Productivity | productivity]], which involves organizing physical things in a visually pleasing way, rather than providing practical tips for managing a crowded schedule [(01:22:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4942s). - Aesthetic productivity often uses the metaphor of organizing physical things to organize one's life, such as using a beautiful notebook or stickers, but this approach may not be effective for people with very busy lives [(01:22:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4960s). - Real productivity, on the other hand, involves managing a large amount of tasks and a crowded schedule, which requires more practical and effective time management strategies [(01:22:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4968s). - Effective time management is not about using aesthetically pleasing planners or organizers, but rather about taking control of one's schedule and prioritizing tasks, similar to how athletes train to achieve their goals [(01:22:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=4975s). - Martha Stewart's approach to time management would likely be very strict and disciplined, involving techniques such as time blocking and firing underperforming staff, as seen in her past business endeavors [(01:24:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5045s). - A hypothetical productivity book by [[Martha Stewart]] would likely be a brutal and straightforward guide to achieving success, similar to Sun Tzu's "[[The Art of War]]" [(01:24:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5082s). - While extreme organization and time management strategies may not be necessary or desirable for most people, it is interesting to learn about how highly busy and organized individuals manage their time and tasks [(01:24:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5096s). - There is a lack of resources and information available on how hyper-busy individuals organize themselves, with one notable exception being a book called "Hyper [[Productivity]]" written by a busy executive [(01:25:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5108s). - Highly successful individuals like Martha Stewart often have to juggle multiple responsibilities and tasks, and their approach to time management is likely to be highly structured and disciplined [(01:25:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5124s). - The use of aesthetically pleasing planners and organizers can downplay the importance and difficulty of effective time management, making it seem like a matter of personal taste rather than a crucial skill for success [(01:23:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5025s). - Martha Stewart's business career has been marked by both success and challenges, including a significant decline in her company's stock price during her legal troubles, but she likely remains a billionaire [(01:25:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5149s). - The concept of a "scoreboard" is discussed, where an individual sets a goal to achieve a certain status or milestone, such as becoming the richest self-made woman in the world, even if it's not functionally necessary for their success or happiness [(01:26:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5197s). - Having a brand built around a person can be highly lucrative and provide autonomy and flexibility, making it unnecessary to build a large company with many employees [(01:26:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5218s). - An example is given of someone who could have made a living through books, magazines, and TV shows, but instead chose to start a major company, which required scaling to justify its existence [(01:27:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5227s). - The podcast economy has changed the game, allowing individuals with exceptional talent to build a company around themselves and secure large deals, such as a $150 million podcast deal [(01:27:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5256s). - The desire for the limelight and being in the public eye may also be a motivating factor for some individuals to build a large company or seek fame [(01:27:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5271s). - The concept of "lifestyle-centric planning" is mentioned, where the focus is on building a business that provides autonomy and flexibility, rather than solely pursuing growth and scale [(01:28:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5291s). - The idea of building a business that allows for a good work-life balance and personal freedom is emphasized, rather than prioritizing the growth of a large company [(01:28:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-No3_zwagI&t=5304s).