# How to Do Cal Newport Style Multi-Scale Planning in Obsidian ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VFPKz9Do5Kg/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=0s) - [[Cal Newport]] is a computer scientist at [[Georgetown University]] and a bestselling author who has written books such as "Deep Work" and "So Good They Can't Ignore You", focusing on topics like the ability to focus and developing skills for a meaningful career [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=0s). - Cal Newport has been advocating for time blocking as a method for daily planning for over 15 years, which influenced the creation of daily time block plans [(00:00:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=18s). - A mistake made early on was doing time blocking in isolation, without connecting it to one's vision and values, leading to the development of a personal system for this purpose [(00:00:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=26s). - The concept of multiscale planning was introduced by Cal Newport in a recent podcast episode, sparking interest in the mechanics of how he implements this concept [(00:00:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=43s). - After exploring the concept, a system for multiscale planning in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] was created by combining existing habits with a few tweaks and utilizing templates and plugins [(00:00:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=56s). - This video aims to walk through the process of setting up Cal Newport style multiscale planning in Obsidian using a combination of templates and plugins [(00:01:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=64s). - The video is not affiliated with [[Cal Newport]], but rather created by a fan who applies the concepts discussed by Cal Newport [(00:01:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=77s). ## What is Multi-Scale Planning? [(00:01:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=85s) - Multiscale planning is a method to ensure that one's vision and values are translated into quarterly, weekly, and daily plans, allowing individuals to stay grounded and focused on what's truly important to them [(00:01:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=87s). - The primary benefit of multiscale planning is that it helps individuals avoid getting sidetracked by non-essential tasks and maintain focus on high-priority goals [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=98s). - Multiscale planning involves more than just breaking down large projects; it begins by considering one's core values and personal mission, which serve as the foundation for planning [(00:01:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=110s). - Cal Newport's approach to multiscale planning involves establishing "rules" and values, while an alternative approach starts with a personal "Life theme" or mission statement that encapsulates one's life purpose and core values [(00:01:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=112s). - A personal mission statement and core values should be reviewed regularly, such as every 90 days, to ensure alignment with one's goals and priorities [(00:02:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=124s). - Before engaging in planning, it's essential to have a clear understanding of what's truly important to you, allowing you to create effective plans that align with your values and goals [(00:02:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=131s). - Multiscale planning can be applied using various time scales, with [[Cal Newport]] recommending quarterly, weekly, and daily planning, although the specific cadence may vary depending on individual preferences [(00:02:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=139s). ## Quarterly Planning [(00:02:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=147s) - Quarterly planning is preferred over yearly planning because it is considered the sweet spot, allowing for significant progress while having built-in periods for resetting and making adjustments [(00:02:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=158s). - A quarter is long enough to make progress but short enough to reassess and make necessary changes, providing four opportunities to fix broken systems and make course corrections instead of one [(00:03:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=187s). - The idea of quarterly planning was first encountered in the book "The 12 Week Year" by Brian Moran and Michael Lenington, which argues that annual goals often lead to procrastination for 11 months and a last-minute push [(00:02:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=171s). - A framework for quarterly planning is followed, which is outlined in a separate [[YouTube]] video and includes a downloadable template available in the free [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] University Starter Vault at obsidianuniversity.com/vaa [(00:03:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=196s). ## Weekly Planning [(00:03:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=213s) - Multiscale planning involves creating a weekly plan, which includes reviewing the calendar for the week, identifying important tasks, and scheduling them around meetings and appointments [(00:03:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=215s). - Considering tasks at the weekly level provides more flexibility and margin to work with, allowing for adjustments to be made without disrupting project deadlines [(00:03:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=234s). - Weekly planning helps maintain a consistent work rhythm over time by making plans more fluid and adaptable [(00:04:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=257s). - The weekly plan is used to inform the daily plan, which involves time blocking and prioritizing three to five tasks to work on [(00:04:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=266s). - Time blocking involves giving every hour a job, determining intentions ahead of time, and focusing on a limited number of tasks to avoid overcommitting [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=279s). - Regularly consulting the weekly plan helps track progress and resist the temptation to do too much in a single day [(00:04:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=291s). - Multiscale planning can be done with simple tools, such as notebooks and plain text files, but [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] is also a suitable tool for this purpose [(00:05:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=318s). - [[Cal Newport]], who popularized the concept of multiscale planning, often discusses it on his podcast, The Deep Life [(00:05:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=302s). ## Obsidian Setup [(00:05:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=329s) - To set up Obsidian for multiscale planning, a couple of plugins and templates are necessary, including the Daily Notes core plugin, which is required for daily time block planning in a day planner, but not strictly necessary if daily plans are not done in Obsidian [(00:05:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=331s). - The Daily Notes core plugin should be enabled, and the Periodic Notes Community plugin should be installed to create notes from templates for weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual notes [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=336s). - The Periodic Notes plugin offers options for note name format, template file, and folder location, allowing users to customize their notes, such as naming weekly notes with the year, week number, and using a specific template file [(00:05:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=356s). - Users can set up their weekly notes to include the year, week number, and use a specific template file, such as the Weekly Planning template file, and store the created files in a designated folder, such as "Planning" [(00:06:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=381s). - Quarterly notes can be set up similarly, with a custom file name, template file, and folder location, such as the [[Retreat (spiritual) | Personal Retreat]] template file and a "Personal Retreats" folder [(00:07:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=422s). - The Calendar Community plugin should be installed to quickly jump to daily and weekly notes, and the "Show week number" option should be toggled on to create weekly notes using the Periodic Notes plugin settings [(00:07:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=460s). ## Multi-Scale Planning in Obsidian [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=483s) - The personal Retreat process is a crucial part of multi-scale planning, where one dedicates an entire day to thinking and planning, often in a remote location such as a getaway house or tiny cabin on a campsite [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=483s). - The personal Retreat process involves reviewing one's life theme and personal core values, assessing current happiness in different areas of life, and deciding what to start, stop, or keep doing [(00:08:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=530s). - During the [[Retreat (spiritual) | personal Retreat]], one sets intentions for the next 90 days, which are goals to keep in mind during weekly planning to ensure consistent progress towards their completion [(00:08:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=539s). - The personal Retreat process is documented in a separate video and a video course, with access to the course included for those who sign up for the [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] University cohort [(00:08:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=507s). - The template for the personal Retreat process is available in the Obsidian University starter Vault for those who want to try it on their own [(00:08:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=522s). ## Weekly Planning Template [(00:09:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=556s) - A weekly planning template is used, which includes a date token at the top that adds the year and week number, with the code date: year year year year space- space w inside double curly brackets [(00:09:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=558s). - The template includes an Obsidian task query that shows tasks due in the next week, using the code block tasks do:after date: year year year year-month month-DayDay inside double curly brackets [(00:09:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=573s). - The query can be adjusted to accommodate different start dates for the week, such as adding -1D after the date for a Monday start date [(00:10:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=645s). - The template also includes a line to show tasks due before a certain date, using the code do:before date:+7D: year year year year-month month-DayDay inside double curly brackets [(00:11:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=676s). - The query can be customized to suit individual needs, such as adding a line for short mode or removing daily readings from a Chronological Bible reading plan [(00:11:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=698s). - The weekly note includes a section for top priorities, where a short list of about five tasks is manually created [(00:12:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=726s). - The template also includes a section called "Painting Success," where a single sentence is written about what success looks like for the week [(00:12:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=740s). - This section helps to drill down to the essence of what a successful week is and understand the true hierarchy of priority tasks [(00:12:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=751s). ## Analog Daily Planning [(00:12:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=763s) - Daily plans are created by time blocking the entire day and selecting three to five tasks to accomplish, with the option to use [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] for time blocking, although an analog method is currently preferred [(00:12:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=763s). - The analog daily planning is done using an UGmk Heirloom Journal with special paper and a fountain pen to write out the plan for the day, which is typically done every morning before work, but ideally as part of the shutdown routine the night before [(00:12:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=779s). - Every hour of the day is time blocked, from waking up to bedtime, with each hour assigned a job to ensure realistic goals and avoid overcommitting [(00:13:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=798s). - [[Cal Newport]] also advocates for analog planning, but a full analog system like the [[Bullet journal | Bullet Journal]] method has not been adopted due to a preference for using the computer as the brain of the task management system [(00:13:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=808s). - The daily task list is created separately from the task management system, with the top three to five tasks transferred to a note card that is placed on the desk as a visible reminder throughout the workday [(00:13:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=828s). - Having the task list visible and separate helps maintain focus on the important tasks and avoid frequent checks on the task manager [(00:13:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=836s). - Once the tasks are completed, the note card is discarded, tasks are checked off in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], and a new daily time block plan is created for the next day [(00:14:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=850s). ## Tying it All Together [(00:14:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=860s) - Implementing [[Cal Newport]] style multi-scale planning in Obsidian has been effective for the past couple of months, providing a balance between quarterly, weekly, and daily planning [(00:14:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=861s). - The planning cadence ensures daily plans align with quarterly intentions, while the [[Retreat (spiritual) | personal Retreat]] process helps in selecting projects that align with long-term vision and values [(00:14:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=869s). - This planning approach fits into the PKM stack model, which is discussed in another video [(00:14:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=885s). - For those interested in learning more about this approach, the [[PK machine gun | Practical PKM]] cohort is available, with more information at obsidianuniversity.com/cohort [(00:14:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=891s). - Viewers can sign up to be notified when the cohort reopens if it is closed at the time of watching the video [(00:15:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=902s). ## Outro [(00:15:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=907s) - All the resources mentioned in the video, including template files for multi-scale planning and [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], are available for free in the Obsidian University Starter Vault [(00:15:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=907s). - The Obsidian University Starter Vault can be downloaded for free by visiting obsidianuniversity.com [(00:15:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=917s). - The Starter Vault is regularly updated with new content, so it's recommended to check for the latest version, even if it's already been downloaded [(00:15:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=923s). - The Obsidian University Starter Vault contains various resources, including reference files, code snippets, [[IOS | iOS]] shortcuts, example callouts, custom [[CSS]] snippets, and preconfigured plugins [(00:15:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=928s). - The Starter Vault also includes templates and tips that have been available since its inception [(00:15:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=936s). - The Obsidian University Starter Vault can be downloaded for free by visiting obsidianuniversity.com [(00:15:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFPKz9Do5Kg&t=942s).