How To Change Your Life By Journaling - Escape Mediocrity & Improve Clarity | Cal Newport

[@AndreAlessiCastro]

This may be the only podcast that I simply cannot hear without giving 100% of my attention. It's incredibly dense and insightful, I always keep a .txt open to take notes. Keep the good content Cal!

[@AlinaProbably]

Totally agree! It's so captivating. I also love the humorous bits between Cal and Jesse here and there

[@slantedtime]

Cal, please think about (and maybe write about) what a ‘Deep Life’ looks like in the context of being a parent of young ones while also at the starting stages of your professional career. I love love hearing about what you say about leading a deep life as a student and it makes me yearn for the student days again. But I cannot fashion my current life to resemble that life at all. I have about 6 hours total in a day to write a dissertation while also producing work for my paid job. Everything around that is childcare or household work or just life and financial stress. I don’t feel that I’m doing childcare, one of my top priorities, in any conscious or deeply thought out way. I don’t feel able to think deeply about my research or enjoy the company of others in my field. I’m sleeping late, trying to wake up early, failing to exercise and just feeling behind always. But still i aspire for a deep and meaningful life, not one where I tumble into the next day each day. But it’s hard to find experts who talk about that from the perspective of someone like me, who is deep in the parenting stage of life, early in career, doing tough work but earning very little, and sleeping very very little.

[@Mary2020Jane]

Cal, someday off in the future I hope you write a book about retirement, using your Deep Life ideas. There is a lot you talk about that applies really well, and there's a big market out there of people retiring and feeling lost about what to do in the next stage of their life.

[@swarren1075]

he did do an interview with The Mad FIentist which touched on some of those themes, if that helps tide people over before his retirement book.

[@yeti9127]

Cal always helps me focus back on the topic of living with new vigor and energy. I liked the opening of this session where he talked about “how to visualize your life by journaling a narrative and moving to take actions to achieve them.” A broad approach, no specificity, is what I liked, including journaling things that resonated with you under the title of values and productivities. I wish he had gone into it a bit deeper, especially for someone like me, a near retiring guy, instead of graduate recruitment discussions.

[@bioptimization]

My birthday is in 3 days and autumn is around the corner. Before this video came out I was actually thinking into getting into period of reflection and change. I guess it is a sign 😅

[@EasyboyFitness]

Happy birthday in advance 🎉

[@StaticArt]

Same here my Birthday on the 15th. Gotta use the time to reflect and be conscious of where you’re now.

[@petez4608]

Ride with it.

[@AlexTurner_666]

8:25 Structured journaling - how it works

[@QueenLover-j5i]

Insights By "YouSum Live" 00:00:22 Late summer is ideal for life changes. 00:01:00 Digital distractions hinder clarity on life goals. 00:03:17 Grand goals often lead to dissatisfaction. 00:07:49 Lifestyle-centric planning offers more flexibility. 00:08:36 Master narratives guide personal development. 00:12:09 Structured journaling helps clarify values and goals. 00:12:59 Regular reflection refines personal values over time. 00:58:29 Career capital enhances opportunities for growth. 01:07:22 Creativity requires structure to flourish. Insights By "YouSum Live"

[@WhitAlb]

My birthday was Aug 5. This episode is right on time.

[@zbdsgvb]

August 2024 - when thinking about life in a broad sense, don’t have very specific goals (ie: too limited to one area). Rather, have master narratives that capture the while essence of the life you want, but aren’t super specific - when you are out and about, make note of the things that resonate with you - then once a month/whenever, come back and distill those things and figure out what it is you like about them. Keep doing this to update your narrative. - also, use that to create a “master” values document - you have a master narrative for the next decade. Beyond that, it really hard - your goal is not a particular job or path. It’s the lifestyle that you want to have, that’s a better place to start. Figure out this master narrative - and then ask is there a path to this master lifestyle narrative through a specific path. Evaluate your paths - your master narrative can only be figured out for the next phrase of your life. Not your whole life. It can and will change, of course as you get more info, learn, etc

[@Klaude]

KEY TAKEAWAYS - [00:00:00] 🍂 Importance of Timing for Life Changes - Late summer is the optimal time for planning life changes, contrasting with the traditional New Year resolutions in January. - A quieter summer period allows for reflection and planning for the fall. - Many listeners struggle to identify what changes they really want due to distractions. - [00:04:42]🎯 Grand Goals vs. Lifestyle-Centric Approaches - Pursuing grand goals can be ineffective as they often focus on one area of life without considering overall satisfaction. - The grand goal approach can hinder other life aspects, leading to dissatisfaction. - A more fulfilling strategy involves lifestyle-centric planning that considers broader life narratives. - [00:08:00]📖 Master Narratives for Lifestyle Vision - Cal Newport suggests developing personal master narratives to guide life decisions and aspirations. - Examples of first-person narratives illustrate the variety of lifestyle goals. - This approach promotes flexibility in planning, allowing for diverse paths toward desired lifestyles. - [00:10:58] 📝 Structured Journaling Technique - Structured journaling helps clarify values and lifestyle aspirations through consistent reflections and notes. - Keep a small notebook to jot down insights or experiences that resonate with you. - Monthly reviews of these notes help distill values and refine lifestyle aspirations. - [00:15:00] 🔄 Adapting Your Narrative Over Time - Master narratives should evolve as life circumstances change; there’s no perfect life blueprint. - Regular journaling helps maintain clarity on what matters as your life progresses. - Emphasizes adapting personal goals rather than being paralyzed by the pressure of long-term planning. - [19:38] 📖 Introduction to Structured Journaling - The initial part of the discussion focuses on the importance of getting organized and disciplined before diving into structured journaling. - Emphasizes the idea of becoming an "imminently qualified human." - Highlights digital minimalism and the importance of quieting the mind for personal growth. - [21:02]💡 Grammarly as a Writing Tool - Introduction and endorsement of Grammarly's capabilities as an AI-driven writing assistant to enhance writing clarity and quality. - Discusses features such as tone detection, generative assistance, and collaboration that make writing processes more efficient. - Reinforces user statistics showcasing significant improvements in writing effectiveness through Grammarly. - [24:45]👔 Commuter Collection Overview - Presentation of Ron's commuter clothing collection designed for comfort and flexibility in professional settings. - Highlights the innovative fabric technology that makes the clothing suitable for travel and various professional activities. - Encourages listeners to explore the collection using a promotional code for discounts. - [25:45]🎯 Goal Planning and Journaling Systems - Discussion on goal-setting systems, particularly the Best Self Journal, and their effectiveness in achieving objectives. - Advocates for strategic use of these systems while recognizing their limitations in addressing all life challenges. - Encourages a flexible approach to goal setting that respects individual differences and complexities. - [28:01] 📚 Cultivating a Deep Life in Academia - Insights on fostering a meaningful academic experience without succumbing to stress and burnout. - Details methodologies such as the "Zen Valedictorian" that advocate for balance and intentionality in academic pursuits. - Discusses the evolution of these ideas into other frameworks that encourage deep engagement with subjects of interest. - [35:02]🧭 Navigating Career Paths and Life Goals - Suggests lifestyle-centric career planning to align personal values with professional aspirations. - Emphasizes the importance of defining a clear narrative for one's life and working backward to explore different opportunities. - Offers insights on avoiding common pitfalls in career decisions by focusing on overall lifestyle satisfaction rather than societal pressures. - [38:34] 🌱 Lifestyle-Centric Planning - Importance of defining a clear lifestyle goal before pursuing any career path. - Reflecting on long-term career aspirations instead of just current interests. - Emphasizing that effective paths arise from a deep understanding of desired lifestyles rather than generic goals. - [40:30] 💼 Remote Work Efficiency - Discussing the implications of remote work efficiency and personal time management. - Creative ventures during remote work could be ethical if productivity and expectations are met. - Encouraging professionals to utilize their free time for meaningful pursuits, whether personal or professional. - [46:19]📚 Reading for Joy - A personal approach to reading without strict lists or systems, focusing on joy and interest. - Highlighting the value of casual reading and diverse interests over structured book lists. - Encouraging spontaneity in choosing books to enhance personal satisfaction and engagement. - [48:02] ⚖ Balancing Multiple Roles - Strategies for maintaining balance in a busy career involving multiple roles. - Advocating for lifestyle-centric planning to simplify responsibilities and prioritize meaningful work. - Urging individuals to critically evaluate their workloads and focus on what brings joy and fulfillment. - [52:05]🔍 Filtering Ideal Work Environments - Advice on finding jobs that align with productivity and results-driven cultures. - Importance of evaluating potential workplaces through questions about workload management and communication styles. - Emphasizing the need for organizations to have clear systems in place for workflow and collaboration for enhanced job satisfaction. - [00:57:26]📈 Career Capital Theory in Action - Focus on building valuable skills can lead to unexpected career advancements. - By learning overlooked aspects of a job, one can increase their value in the workplace. - Career Capital Theory emphasizes skill development over drastic career changes. - [01:00:01]🧠 Lifestyle-Centric Planning - Career capital plays a crucial role in achieving lifestyle goals. - Leveraging existing skills for growth can create more opportunities. - Effective planning requires understanding how to increase one's value in their field. - [01:00:28]💪 Importance of Consistency in Health Routines - Consistency is key in maintaining healthy habits, rather than just having information. - Coaching can provide personalized guidance to help stick to health plans. - Daily check-ins with a coach can improve accountability and results. - [01:02:30] 📦 Utilization of E-commerce Platforms - Shopify offers comprehensive services for businesses at any stage. - The platform supports both online and physical store sales. - New features like AI assistance enhance sales capabilities. - [01:04:20] 🎨 The Balance of Structure and Creativity - Creativity thrives on focused thought, which is supported by organization. - The real challenge for creatives is managing distractions. - Structured time allows for spontaneous creative processes to flourish.

[@wang_xian]

thank you for sharing

[@AndrewThoesen]

Real MVP in the comments, bump this to the top

[@ThomasBohan]

Thank you so much for all your work in putting together these notes and time stamps, Very Very helpful

[@Katieyeti]

The notebook you were talking about at 17:00 kind of sounds like the Midori/Travellers Company Brand. Great notebooks!

[@pazhy-_-nochance4107]

THANK YOU CAL ! i study these videos.

[@notthatJules1]

We miss you Cal and Jesse, come back!

[@kachiyoungsoul9690]

Where do people ask these questions that they take on the show?

[@SidaFinn]

Oh man, I needed this this morning so badly - total synchronicity

[@user-rl2mw4cv7c]

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing. Really inspiring! Thank you for sharing the examples, those were really helpful.

[@fofikos6128]

Also, 1st of September is regarded as "New Year" by Orthodox Christianity.

[@collinurbania7480]

No its not... Lmao

[@collinurbania7480]

Its like harvest day. Not New Years

[@fofikos6128]

@@collinurbania7480 It's considered the "ecclesiastical" New Year, not the one that people go out and party on.

[@matthieundumbi3888]

​@@collinurbania7480yes it is. Church books like the Miniaion starts in September. It's called the new "Ecclesiatical" year

[@tuftspic]

I take notes on my phone. I only have a browser, youtube, youtube music, notes app, phone and text enable on my "smart phone".

[@yohanesliong4818]

Amazing. Learnt so much. Thank you!

[@samantafloor]

I don't know if it's because I'm in the third world but the people sending questions sound sooo privileged 😅

[@marcosrissi]

I didn't feel enough was delivered on the topic taken the time used for the podcast and the actual hints and suggestions about the journaling. I didn't get what I believed I was coming here for and that the podcast was going to teach me.

[@NickSiekierski]

it's a free KZbin video, not a detailed course, check out his other videos, read his books, experiment and iterate, there is no silver bullet that will work for everyone

[@ginacarpenter1156]

I always think of fall as the beginning as well.

[@billie7725]

Cal, I love your books and methodology that you developed for all professionals and students, all those people. This method sounds like a kind of manifesting techniques 😂 Because If I deep down about the topic that I'm so interested in, I would manifest that into my life. So I really love that

[@meta4972]

I agree, great philosophers at Rutgers :)

[@Novanim]

32:35 no, it's not your teams notification.

[@Aphletic]

I'm sitting here at midnight watching this thinking, "Who could possibly have started a teams meeting right now" lol

[@Luiszerep]

I was freakin, lol

[@dirkvoltaar]

The notebook covers might be Lochby?

[@EduardoRPreto]

We can try to change the prespective and view "work" as "something relevant" - something that matters to me. Tryng to use the time that way. Even if you have a 9 to 5 job, to try to use the free time to be doing something relevant for your self. If you with a significant other you working on that relationship, if you doing exercise you working on your body, if you are doing meditation or writing, you working on your mind and spirit - clarification. Arent those exemples work!? Work is to use time and energy in a meaningfull way, theres a reason why inam doing it. Even if that reason is money. Whats the reason and motive behind this work that Im doing? Or why am i avoiding this other work? philosophy and questioning isnt just something of the past and now we can just vibe and relly solo on conscience the same way you dont drive your car with the eyes close just foolowing your conscienceness. You need rational and reasoning and clarification via the expression of the ideas and the articulation of those ideas and to form convictions because you cant just choose to belive in nothing at all and irradicate the rational part of you from the human being. It is part of the equation.

[@WizDom21]

The correct answer for when to start is today.

[@mohamedabdo-ul6jz]

where is the guy who summarize the video in the comments ?

[@mikeyfinn2]

check the board: you're up today!

[@culturadocaractere]

always good content!

[@ChrisPatrick8199]

I heard that Stephen King is pretty structured about his creative writing. Evidently he blocks out 4 hours a day to write.

[@notthatJules1]

When he’s in between stupid tweets I suppose. He’s a perfect example of why public figures should keep their politics to themselves

[@anaxagoras23]

I really appreciate your videos, but I think that if it is possible to shorten them a little it would be much more helpful to people. I see that on average they last 1 hour. Focusing on the real message that you want to convey would be much better than going around in circles on the same subject for an hour. In other words, cutting the unnecessary hairs from the message would be the best. I really appreciate it anyway.

[@zayyadmuhammadsani6094]

I also feel that way sometimes. But recently I started watching the episodes section by section, or 2 sections at a time. I also remind myself that I don't have to listen to sections that don't interest me. Now, I don't really mind the videos being long.

[@holasoyjose9683]

Agree

[@fear5583]

First.

[@mohamedbougherara3681]

First

[@WORKOUTSOLUTIONS]

❤✝ CHRIST IS RISEN ☦❤ ❤💪🏃‍♂️📖🙏✝ GOD GIVES US STRENGTH ☦🙏📝🦾