# How To Not Waste Your Time - 5 Keys To Master Productivity & Reinvent Your Life | Cal Newport ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LxTiFNJdVBI/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Productivity Basics [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=0s) - [[Productivity]] is defined as the ability to control time and attention to intentionally direct energy towards shaping life towards deeper objectives and separating results from exhaustion by working smart to produce good results without wasting time and energy. [(00:05:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=311s) - Multiscale planning involves creating a strategic plan for work and personal life, building a weekly plan that aligns with the strategic plan, and creating a daily time block plan informed by the weekly plan. [(00:08:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=535s) - Minimizing context switching is crucial for productivity, and strategies such as office hours, meeting windows, and project protocols can help reduce unscheduled communication and promote focused work. [(00:16:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=973s) ## How closely should I schedule my leisure activities? [(00:44:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=2652s) - It is suggested that time blocking leisure activities should not be done and that a more loose approach to scheduling non-professional pursuits is better. [(00:46:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=2783s) - It is recommended to include leisure activities in weekly plans and block off time for specific time-consuming appointments or tasks related to them. [(00:46:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=2803s) - It is advised to avoid over-scheduling free time and instead focus on choosing interesting activities to do with the available time without stressing about the amount of time spent or tasks completed. [(00:48:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=2914s) ## How do I time block a day that lasts longer than 11 hours? [(00:49:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=2983s) - College students can avoid working late into the night by utilizing available time throughout the day. [(00:50:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3032s) - Students should keep their course loads manageable, utilize autopilot scheduling for regular tasks, and make use of time between classes. [(00:51:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3065s) - Working in a quiet environment without distractions, such as a phone, can significantly increase [[Productivity | productivity]]. [(00:53:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3225s) ## Can I save mental energy at work to be more alive outside of work? [(00:56:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3401s) - To combat mental fatigue after work, implement a shutdown ritual at the end of the workday and prioritize physical health by eating well and engaging in regular exercise, including a morning workout and an intense resistance workout when transitioning from work to non-work activities. [(00:56:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3419s) - Some jobs are inherently demanding and require significant time, attention, and energy, even with effective time management and organization techniques. [(00:59:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3546s) - To address the challenges of a demanding job, engage in lifestyle-centric planning to define an ideal lifestyle vision, including daily rhythms, location, and activities, and then assess if the current job aligns with or hinders the realization of that vision. [(01:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3608s) ## How do I actually motivate myself to execute the work I planned? [(01:02:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3742s) - Deep work is a cognitive state where full attention is given to a demanding task without distractions, leading to high-quality output. [(01:03:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3786s) - Two reasons for struggling to execute planned tasks are not fully accepting the plan and deep procrastination stemming from a lack of intrinsic motivation. [(01:03:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3826s) - To overcome these challenges, consolidate shallow tasks, prioritize demanding tasks earlier in the day, and dedicate specific days to each role to minimize context switching. [(01:06:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=3986s) ## Dealing with AI driven calendars [(01:13:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=4404s) - AI-based scheduling systems are unnecessary for people who practice multiscale planning because building and adjusting a schedule doesn't require much time. [(01:15:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=4532s) - AI cannot replicate the human brain's ability to consider various factors like energy levels, current events, and overall well-being when making scheduling decisions. [(01:16:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=4574s) - AI-driven scheduling promotes a task-oriented approach to work, reducing knowledge work to a series of menial tasks, whereas individuals should focus on the bigger picture and the creative aspects of their work. [(01:16:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=4611s) ## The 7 Books Cal Read in July, 2024 [(01:23:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=5028s) - Seven books were read in July 2024, two more than the usual five. [(01:23:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=5034s) - The books cover a variety of topics including American history, marine biology, underwater archeology, memoir, film history, artificial intelligence, and techno-thrillers. [(01:24:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=5046s) - The reader found all of the books to be interesting and enjoyable, although some were denser and more challenging reads than others. [(01:26:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTiFNJdVBI&t=5167s)