Cal Newport on Time Blocking and Productivity

On today’s podcast, Ryan talks to “Deep Work” author and computer scientist Cal Newport about his new Time-Block Planner, the logistics of writing a good book, what life after COVID will look like, and more.
Cal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and the author of 6 books including his most recent, Digital Minimalism, which was a New York Times bestseller. He is also the host of the Deep Questions podcast which launched in May 2020.
This episode is brought to you by LMNT, the maker of electrolyte drink mixes that help you stay active at home, work, the gym, or anywhere else. Electrolytes are a key part of a happy, healthy body. LMNT was developed by co-founder Robb Wolf, a former research biochemist and 2X NY Times best seller. Right now you can receive a free LMNT Sample Pack for only $5 for shipping. To claim this exclusive deal you must go to drinkLMNT.com/dailystoic. This deal is only valid for the month of January. Get your FREE Sample Pack now. If you don’t love it, they will refund your $5 no questions asked.
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Stoicism is a practical philosophy. The main thinkers that the Daily Stoic focuses on in stoicism are Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca. The Daily Stoic is a guide to how to practice Stoicism in your daily life, the daily routines of Stoicism, and is a practical guide to Stoicism. This channel is Stoicism 101, it will tell you what Stoicism is and how to be a Stoic. Ryan Holiday has been practicing stoicism and writing about stoicism for more than a decade and his insights will give you guidance to practicing stoicism in your day to day life.
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Ryan Holiday has influenced the modern stoicism movement greatly. His books are read by modern stoicism's practitioners like Tim Ferriss, Robert Greene, and others.
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[@mrw9513]

"People are frugal in guarding their personal property; but as soon as it comes to squandering time they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stingy" Seneca

[@mrw9513]

“Do not act as if you had ten thousand years to throw away. Death stands at your elbow. Be good for something while you live and it is in your power.” Marcus Aurelius

[@ScottMills1988]

What you mention about graduate studies is so true. Many PhD holders, and academia in general, like to exaggerate the difficulty of the task. I had somebody claim that writing their thesis left them in hospital with multiple organ failure! Absolute nonsense. It can be a toxic culture. I got through it by applying myself for a few hours a day like Cal mentions, plus a couple weeks of harder work before final submission, but nothing terrible. I still slept 7 hours a night and ate 3 meals a day. In fact, the "hard" weeks of work at the end were the most enjoyable part of the whole process for me!

[@anirudhkannan9]

great comment

[@ImGeneralJAckson]

@@anirudhkannan9 as a full time worker, new mom and grad student this give me hope! So far I am able to balance these things with time mgmt. ('Spouse hack' helps too)

[@SamMartinPeakPerformance]

Greatest collab ever

[@AmandaJYoungs]

Yeah! High powered and productive, and a great insight for us!

[@ubseggie]

Two of my favourite writers and philosophors. My takeaway TIME BLOCKING, boundary with time not working before 10 etc..🙏🙌🙏

[@deboshreesarkar2568]

Two of my favourite authors in one video, how awesome is this!!!

[@alexgodwin5806]

Two of my favorite authors

[@mistguides]

Mine as well

[@jeremiah8716]

I’ve been waiting for this Ryan. Cal Newport is incredibly smart man! Always a pleasure listening to him

[@garethholebrook]

I found the irony of the editing glitch at 3:18 hilarious. Great video, thanks.

[@Tarasyoutube]

Air traffic controllers for your time is such a nice analogy 😊

[@wayofthewonderer]

Both lovely intelligent chaps. Lovely watching Ryans eyes throughout the interview visualising the scenarios Calport excellently orates.

[@johannacallaghan1623]

Such a perfect Collab 🥰 two of my favourite people

[@zaid_nt7092]

Me too🔥🔥

[@MindNow]

*We have limited time, so we have to prioritize on what’s important* 🙏❤️ Even though I don’t do time blocking, I have a todo list 😊

[@anabsalam9396]

I really needed this, and u just uploaded it. UFF WHAT A COINCIDENCE.

[@zaid_nt7092]

My two favourite humans ever in an hour collab💃💃💃💃❤️🌹huge thanks for this great video please do it again🔥🔥

[@grantegginton251]

Great interview Ryan. Cal has great ideas. I can’t wait to read Digital Minimalism.

[@Butlinsgvn6]

Thanks for sharing this great interview. It would have been nice to hear the guest speak more

[@maratbakhtygerey8969]

31:35 planning

[@expeditioner9322]

Hello Mr Holiday, thanks for creating this video with Mr Newport. It would be easier for viewers if you added chapter stamps to this video. Cheers.

[@johnvienna3422]

OMG, I just realized Ryan is Jerry Seinfeld. But without the gags. No offence, Ryan - love your stuff!

[@veeneemaas]

i need more Cal .. for sure ...

[@kishantirbowan24]

The intro background music was relaxing.

[@JR-gy1lh]

I love Cal!

[@mammobalbo]

Managing and blocking time is easy for entrepreneurs. But what about somebody working in corporate, 50ppl team, crazy tight programme, 3-to-6 hours zoom coordination meetings everyday and no time to do the actual work? That's my struggle at the moment.

[@Ivan.80p]

This was great!

[@formisfunction1861]

Striking gold!

[@Dacademeca]

Awesome

[@SunnytheWeim]

Best podcast I have heard in months.

[@MaggieGaba-doo-doo]

Cal Newport had such an amazing impact on my life. I wish Ryan Holiday let his guests speak, lol. I cannot believe that he is a stoicism expert and he is so judgmental and Ben Shapiro amount of angry/bitter.

[@fadimazboudiastrology]

Amazing stuff

[@Sabyas_Hub]

Cal Newport 👌

[@ImGeneralJAckson]

Sick burn from Ryan at 48:26

[@silviopina_111]

38:35 advantages of “time blocking” versus “listing”

[@RefactoringRyan]

Thanks for that!

[@silviopina_111]

@@RefactoringRyan you are welcome!

[@silviopina_111]

@@RefactoringRyan you are welcome!

[@Tarasyoutube]

If you manage everything doesn't it all turn to cardboard?

[@trentc7329]

I don't have time for this. Is there a TLDW?

[@Alexmar345]

Watch 2x speed

[@OM-el6oy]

Read Deep Work by Cal Newport and you will do deep enough work that you will have time to watch it.

[@dmoon9037]

23:30 “impulse to shi*”, wow was that alarming

[@silviopina_111]

32:10 Time Blocking “anxiety”

[@priyanshuuu282]

Personal bookmarks 1. Time blocking Planner 40:00 2. 5 year Journal

[@DJSTOEK]

💘

[@robertfazio6760]

I wish you would stop talking about your day and like let him describe a normal person's working day You have a unique day which does not apply to 90.9% of the rest of us

[@DhulqarTen]

Let your guest speak more

[@arielrivas6017]

Noted! ✅ #AmorFati

[@broly1746]

Take a shot everytime Cal blinks.

[@senfglas214]

Finally woke up from my alcohol induced coma, good advice thank you!

[@Tarasyoutube]

Sampling your audience works if you pick the good sampler.. 🥰😂 meee

[@genitalgaming9629]

wowo its the first time i see davie504 looks so serious

[@Tarasyoutube]

If you're a productivity nerd, and already into these ways then it goes with you and isnt a problem. Goes with you: your personality and way Honoring another way and what works for them is how you could explore and branch out

[@walterreuther1779]

If I didn't know better I would think that Ryan is on cocaine half of the time ... so much intensity and focus, wow! But, I suppose this is what we all love him for ... Cheers

[@craftpaint1644]

Advice from an author, your rough draft sucks so just write to the end. But it's not the end, edit, edit, edit. Use read reviewer friends for feedback and then make the inevitable changes. Now let the book out into the world and get rejected because nobody loved your work except you 🥴 Edit (see? Editing) : Take breaks, take weeks if you like - don't neglect other important things going on.

[@Tarasyoutube]

You learn when you have to.

[@ladlane]

Nice exchange. But Ryan is too wordy.

[@Stormbrise]

As someone who is neurodiverse, executive function is my nemesis. Yes, I have all these books, all these productivity hacks, etc. However, I cannot switch tasks easily. Currently, I am running simulations in a Climate Change model, and this is all I can do, besides listening to Podcasts. If I tried to write my methods, or make charts, I can not handle it. I have been using time blocking since about 2014. I have to make runs, name files, every couple of minutes. While waiting for things to run or write to a database. Then the ADHD impulsivity, a errands run can go from 2 hours (with drive time) to 5 hours. Like today. I had an early morning appointment, but I did not get home until 4 hours after it, when it could have only been maybe 2 hours after. I cannot do a digital system, unless I have to schedule a meeting with others. I have no object permanence, so once the app is out of sight, I forget about it. If I use an analog system, then I have it open on my desk and able to stay on tasks.

[@PeterPan-td9qt]

Bookmarks :

[@alterego157]

TLDR?

[@StarLifeZz619]

ryan is talking way too much as always. let your guests do the talking just ask some questions

[@MarcoBuxCoach]

Why did Ryan write Ego is the Enemy when he's got giant one 😂

[@godiswithus3939]

Exactly

[@Stormbrise]

I think it is more about aspiration to not let ego guide them, not the size of their ego. Have you even read the book?

[@Tarasyoutube]

Dude was too full of himself ad talking too much. But it's a conversation so we forgive you. Plus you'll look at this and be too hard on yourself if you're humble one day so ouch. Less coffee lol

[@zairnermuller4960]

I think he forgot the epilogue of Ego is the Enemy

[@moder_nord2475]

I love both of you and your work, but this one was a bit too «why can’t other people just get their shit together/I just like other smart & interesting people» for me. Sorry.... 🤷🏼‍♀️Not everyone can live in your kind of bubble. A bit more humility would be good...

[@aussiebeermoney1167]

Ryan crying about the cost of being a sophist lol

[@aussiebeermoney1167]

Not very stoic! lol