Ep. 252: The Deep Life Stack

Cal Newport explains "The Deep Life Stack" in Episode #252 of the Deep Questions podcast.
How do you leave a life of superficial distraction and cultivate something deeper?
“The Deep Life Stack" is an approach to cultivating a deep life that starts with overhauling the person before making the big decisions.
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
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0:00 Cal's intro
6:50 How do I rebuild my life into something deeper?
27:28 Cal talks about LMNT and Henson Shaving
32:10 Is the deep life only available to those with high salaries?
42:03 How do I co-create a deep life with my partner?
45:39 Is there a genetic component to depth?
58:41 What are Cal’s thoughts on the book “Designing Your Life”?
1:02:23 Cal talks about 80,000 Hours and ZocDoc
1:06:52 Something Interesting
Connect with Cal Newport:
🔴Visit Cal's BLOG and website: calnewport.com...
🔴Check out Cal's books: calnewport.com...
About Cal Newport:
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. In addition to his academic research, he writes about the intersection of digital technology and culture. Cal's particularly interested in our struggle to deploy these tools in ways that support instead of subvert the things we care about in both our personal and professional lives.
Cal is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including, most recently, A World Without Email, Digital Minimalism, and Deep Work. He's also the creator of The Time-Block Planner.
The videos are considered to be used under the "Fair Use Doctrine" of United States Copyright Law, Title 17 U.S. Code Sections 107-118. Videos are used for editorial and educational purposes only and I do not claim ownership of any original video content. I don't use said video clips in advertisements, marketing or for direct financial gain. All video content in each clip is considered owned by the individual broadcast companies.
#CalNewport #DeepWork #DeepLife #DeepQuestions #TimeblockPlanner
#WorldWithoutEmail #DeepQuestionsPodcast

[@benjamin_davis]

This is really the episode I was looking for. Long time listener. I liked the idea of buckets and keystone habits, but this feels much more coherent and structured. I feel like anyone can know exactly where in the stack they are and what they have to do to move further along the stack. This feels more graspable and actionable to me.

[@thatjpwing]

I really enjoyed this podcast as well. Structure is the key to all of this.

[@shamildzhasheev6901]

Exactly🎉🎉🎉

[@billieball1]

@@thatjpwing say more? How does Structure bring it all together? And what does Structure mean in this context?

[@evanthes]

Couldn’t agree more. I really needed an episode like this.

[@natanribeiro6536]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:13 🎵 Introduction to the episode and the show's focus on living and working deeply. 00:43 📚 Announcement of the new edition of the Time Block Planner, emphasizing its quality and design. 01:22 📖 Details on the planner's features, such as high-quality spiral binding and weekend planning pages. 02:16 🛒 Information on pre-ordering the planner and potential supply chain issues. 03:40 📅 Mention of future content that will delve into time block planning. 04:23 📝 Discussion about the final manuscript changes for a new book on slow productivity. 05:47 🤔 Introduction to the concept of the "Deep Life Stack" for cultivating a deeper life. 07:52 🏋️‍♀️ Explanation of the first layer of the stack, "Discipline," as foundational for life transformation. 11:44 🌱 Introduction to the second layer, "Values," and its components: code, rituals, and routines. 16:24 🧘‍♂️ Discussion of the third layer, "Calm," focusing on gaining control over one's life. 18:59 🗺️ Explanation of the fourth and final layer, "Plan," where life's major areas are examined and potentially overhauled. 21:35 🔁 Mention of the iterative nature of the Deep Life Stack, encouraging continuous improvement. 21:50 🧹 Importance of cleaning up and organizing your systems and disciplines to ensure they align with your current commitments. 22:18 🛠️ Revisiting and tweaking your values and rituals, especially as life circumstances change (e.g., from single to family life). 22:45 🎯 Recommendation to revisit your life "stack" annually, focusing on layers that need attention, to maintain balance and alignment. 23:28 🧠 The "Deep Life Stack" is a balanced approach that combines psychology, practical habits, and visionary planning. 24:37 🗂️ Emphasizes the importance of structure and organization in life to achieve bigger goals. 25:33 ⚖️ Highlights the challenge of making big life changes without a coherent organizational system in place. 26:30 🔄 Debunks the myth that having a structured life limits flexibility; argues that discipline actually provides freedom. 27:14 💡 Identifies the psychological switch of accomplishing something hard but optional as crucial for overall success. 33:55 📈 Introduces the "Deep Life Stack" as a comprehensive approach to achieving a more intentional and satisfying life. 37:14 🎯 Argues that working through the "Deep Life Stack" can provide the clarity needed to make significant life changes. 38:37 🌱 Encourages confidence that a more intentional, satisfying, and meaningful life is achievable. 41:11 ⏳ Emphasizes that effective time management is crucial for making informed decisions about lifestyle changes. 41:52 💑 The importance of co-creating a "deep life" with your partner is emphasized. Individual visions often clash, leading to an antagonistic relationship. 43:57 🤝 A deep life designed together with your partner is more fulfilling than trying to optimize your life individually. 45:39 🧬 Discusses the role of genetics and upbringing in one's ability to be organized. It's more about practice and training than innate ability. 47:20 🏋️‍♀️ Organization is a practiced ability. If you weren't raised with it, you're missing a lot of practice and need to train yourself. 49:28 📝 Recommends starting simple with organizational activities and gradually building up complexity. 52:59 ⏳ Discusses the concept of time-blocking and weekly planning as advanced organizational strategies. 54:08 🧬 Genetics may play a role in extreme cases of organization or lack thereof, but for most people, it's about training and practice. 58:45 📚 Compares the "Designing Your Life" book with his own approach, noting that the former is more career-focused while the latter aims for a broader life philosophy. 01:01:17 🛠️ The "Deep Life" philosophy is broader and focuses on building a life of meaning, where career is just one aspect. 01:02:01 📚 Recommends reading the book "Designing Your Life" as a good complement to his own works like "Deep Work." 01:02:42 🌍 Introduces 80,000 Hours, a non-profit that helps people find impactful careers, as a sponsor and a valuable resource. 01:07:11 🕶️ Discusses Apple's new AR/VR set, The Vision Pro, and its significance in the tech industry. 01:11:22 📈 Argues that Apple's investment in AR technology could be a smart economic move, potentially dominating the market. 01:13:00 ⚖️ Compares the risks and rewards of investing in AI vs. AR, suggesting that AR could offer a more stable and profitable future. 01:14:39 🎯 States that Apple is "experience engineering" now to prepare for future technological advancements in AR. 01:15:34 💰 Mentions that the Vision Pro goggles are priced at $4,000 and are currently aimed at developers. 01:16:17 🎥 Offers to showcase the Vision Pro goggles on his show in exchange for a free pair, highlighting the advertising value. Made with HARPA AI

[@dzar34]

As someone who was trying to implement bucket overhauls and was struggling a bit, I think you hit nicely on the foundation that needs to be built first and feels like it was missing. Breaking it down into pieces is a nice way to focus, and I am a big fan of the idea of iterating. The first two levels will probably take some very deep reflection and personal work, so I wonder how to think about working through obstacles at these levels. Hearing how you progressed through or resources that helped you may be of benefit. All and all, this system has reinvigorated me to get back at working toward a Deep Life. It’s a more workable system

[@sathishweb]

Very true. Those two levels require a lot of reflection. I get a feeling that "Seven habits of highly effective people" and "Personal mission statement" by Stephen Covey might help more along those lines. Of course, Cal will hopefully cover that in more detail going forward and in the Deep Life book. After listening to this episode, I am thinking of re-reading seven habits and particularly the second habit that talks about the personal mission statement.

[@WarrenG1983]

"It's very difficult to keep breathing room in your life if you can't control the stuff that's taking away the air." "From a whirlwind to a flow." "Time famine." Lots of good thoughts in this episode!

[@Heyu7her3]

WHEW, that resonates wayyyy too much 😮‍💨

[@cmetcalf27]

I come to your videos for the 80's synth intro and stay for the great teachings. 😊

[@Stormbrise]

Mr. Newport, as a user of Japanese planners, I can tell you that sewn bindings are better and they can lay completely flat. One you do not have to lug around heavy metal rings. Second, rings can scratch things in your work/school bags. Lastly, the rings always seem to bend out of shape or one of the coils starts to come apart and can stick you with a sharp edge. Just something to consider for your next binding. I do not care about the paper weight, or if it is this really thin paper. I think for a time blocking planner, the weight should be like that as the ones used for bullet journal, or they get too heavy.

[@user-km8so4zg5l]

I wanted to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for the positive impact you've had on my life through your KZbin channel. Your presence and content have truly been a source of inspiration and motivation for me, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your dedication to sharing valuable insights, your unwavering positivity, and your genuine passion for what you do shine through in every video you create. Whether it's your thoughtful advice, your uplifting words of encouragement, or your genuine authenticity, I find myself constantly learning and growing because of you. == thank you😍🥰

[@timdanyo898]

This is practical doable advice for me and for my kids as I teach them what I am learning here. Thanks Cal!

[@virginiacinquemani5693]

I have a question/suggestion: people get stuck with goals. Goals often feel a bit vague and a bit fake. How do goals (and choosing what goals to pursue) fit in the stack? Goals should feature right at the start and will influence every layer - but for most they are difficult to establish.

[@jacoblundphoto]

Thank you so much, Cal. As a long-time listener (and reader of all your books), this was great.

[@silveira804]

This was a great discussion, and would appreciate more clarity on a structures way to work through the different levels so I don't get lost in eternal reflection in the first stages. I also feel the deep dive into Cal's planning system (core documents, etc.) has some great overlap with the stacks, so I'd love to see a discussion incorporating those elements into the stack implementation.

[@rebeccajones7762]

Agree yes, how to not get lost in the planning and reflection is always a challenge for me. Also I didn't understand the difference between rituals and routines.

[@catgrrr1]

@@rebeccajones7762 From what I understood, rituals are things that reignite your faith or appreciation for your code. So celebrating Christmas, attending service (religious things) or visiting your favorite national park, preparing a large Sunday dinner (secular things). Whereas routines are things you do to uphold your code. Like abstinence until marriage, not eating pork (religious), or donating to mutual funds, not using single-use plastics (secular). I think of it as maintaining an identity that’s based on morals or ethics (vs the discipline identity). I am a person who is X (Christian, Jewish, Environmentalist, Political affiliation, Good Samaritain, etc). I do X things to connect with my identity (rituals) and because of my identity, i must or must not do x (routines).

[@geneg3776]

Yes without these first 3 foundational layers you will have alot of trouble reaching your goals. Great and highly insightful teachings.

[@malenajeci]

Nobody in the world does this, thank you! Great thinking and clear steps!!

[@mushkyzajac8356]

There absolutely is a genetic component to living the deep life. ADHD is a real disorder with a genetic component. Don't ignore or dismiss reality that you may not like.

[@cc1903]

I believe that implementing the discipline and values component alone has the potential to transform one’s life. For those who might be overwhelmed by the system at first.

[@kierenmacmillan]

As per my comment above, I believe there’s a huge proportion of the population who should start with Values - before Discipline - because that’s what will be the most energizing way in to the stack for them.

[@burtonsschool9532]

hI, I'm Rhett. I listened and like what you said about your stack. The late Kurt Fischer, a neuroscientist at Harvard, talked about a skill theory from reflexes to actions to representations to abstractions. Your words in this video mirror a lot of what he said about humans, at their age from babies, moving from reflexes to actions to representations to abstractions.

[@andrewhooper7603]

I think there's something to the stack. Run it through the polisher a few times and I could see an excellent primer. One thing I noticed is that you can't *really* start at the bottom though, and you haven't. Everyone reading this has done at least some work on the values level, by nature of being alive, and that work would reinforce the discipline building as it will be easier to build discipline in something that you, at least currently, value. And can you really separate rituals and routines from discipline? Try as you might, you're probably going to be incorporating your planning and values levels into the base, so it's really all one movement in practice. But this is a framework of intentions, so that's all a bit of hairsplitting. Maybe a quick fall down the stack would be useful, each time you sit to think about it. As you descend the stack, your problems in one level are probably rooted in the level below.

[@kierenmacmillan]

This structure likely works really well for people who naturally organize first (like you and me), but I would offer that a large proportion of the population - specifically those who naturally sense before organizing - might want to start with values and then move to other parts of the stack.

[@kierenmacmillan]

Further to that, I think your comment starting at 24:45 runs the risk of encouraging those people whose best behavioural process is “structure last” to move through the world in an energy-poor way, simply because they think that structure needs to come first. Again, for those of us who organize first, starting with structure is almost a no-brainer [ironically]; for others, it’s deeply draining. And the worst part is, when it doesn’t work for them as well or as quickly or as effortlessly as “it should”, they’ll take it as a moral failing, instead of realizing that the system you are presenting here is biased in favour of those of us for whom structure is the best entry point into almost any experience.

[@blorbofy]

I've been studying the Bhagavad Gita starting this year, along with chanting and it's going great!

[@thatbberg]

I mean, being able to consistently follow your methods require strong executive function. And that's partially a practiced skill, but there's absolutely a genetic component to that given the number of hereditary conditions that include executive dysfunction disorder as a symptom. Things like ADHD are highly hereditary and absolutely make following productivity systems more difficult.

[@thatbberg]

@@Douglas_Gillette This is irrelevant to my comment. The question was if it's more difficult, and it is. I never said it was impossible. You inferred that yourself, and then decided to use disability inspiration porn to argue with a point I never made. I would encourage you to look into disabled activist Stella Young's words on inspiration porn and how abled people talk about disabled people as objects and sources of abled people's realizations.

[@thatbberg]

@@Douglas_Gillette Also, not everything can be overcome. For example, blind people cannot overcome their inability to see! Nor do they need to.

[@tbd407]

@@thatbberg i have ADHD it's not that big a deal, also what is inspiration porn lol stop making up terms to start fights

[@thatbberg]

Where did I say it was "that big a deal?" And it's taking you longer to fight with me than it would to Google inspiration porn and know it's a real thing, so let's not pretend I'm the one choosing to argue here. I'm defending myself against OTHER people starting fights with me when it would take less time to do a freaking Google search and verify my statements. All I did was summarize something that's in the literal definition of executive function disorder, I don't know why y'all are getting so pissy. It shouldn't be controversial to say 1. executive function disorders exist, 2. they're highly hereditary, and 3. can they impact planning and organization, although it's still possible. That's all I said, the rest y'all made up in your heads.

[@kierenmacmillan]

@@thatbberg They don’t have a solid intellectual position to stand on, so they resort to being pissy. It’s a thing ungrounded people do… :)

[@amjainyt]

Can we maintain a deep and disciplined life if we have a mentally challenged person in the family be it a wife , kid or parent ? This person is throwing challenges at you all the time ? If you can’t leave and abandon this person then how do you remain disciplined?

[@tinayoder9648]

Absolutely brilliant

[@IceColdProfessional]

Go Deep.

[@kurikeshgeorge]

4:16 eagerly waiting... 📚🔥

[@ascensionbias7528]

@8:20 was the key to it all.

[@kreativenarrative8029]

I agree. I had to replay it a few times and let those words sink in

[@ascensionbias7528]

Low-time preference wins. I shoot for an 80/20 Low/High, but I actually get nowhere near that. Lol

[@Izzy-g7t]

Bought the planner and it's good - I really like it, buuuut... the spiral binding is crap. Came to me broken and I had to DIY a new back and had to fix the busted binding. Maybe look into that for the next edition? Planning system itself is life-changing though.

[@thatjpwing]

I enjoyed this episode very much. I'm reading "Deep Work" this month and this is a good supplement.

[@pattypratt2139]

Question: Is the "Deep Life Stack" discussed in the book? Or was this video more of the unveiling of this concept; curious. I'll be adding his book to my list of upcoming audiobooks.

[@anastasiapyrkh6156]

Thanks for this episode! Can you give any advice on calm and plan sections in an unstable situation? (I live in Ukraine and what I mean is that a huge part of resource is eaten by the night air raid alarms, and co-deep life is in danger as well.) Seems like I'm now stuck in values and discipline, everything else on pause. Thank you!

[@wtag84]

I have a hard time determining a distinction between rituals and routines. They seem very similar. I don't think it ultimately matters because we need to develop systems that work for us. I don't want to get hung up on semantics and literal interpretation of this either.

[@catgrrr1]

From what I understood, rituals are things that reignite your faith or appreciation for your code. So celebrating Christmas, attending service (religious things) or visiting your favorite national park, preparing a large Sunday dinner (secular things). Whereas routines are things you do to uphold your code. Like abstinence until marriage, not eating pork (religious), or donating to mutual funds, not using single-use plastics (secular). I think of it as maintaining an identity that’s based on morals or ethics (vs the discipline identity). I am a person who is X (Christian, Jewish, Environmentalist, Political affiliation, Good Samaritain, etc). I do X things to connect with my identity (rituals) and because of my identity, i must or must not do x (routines).

[@theencryptedpartition4633]

Bro the level of marketing through the use of CS words😂

[@Gadl-pq5ey]

What is CS? What did I miss here? 😂

[@theencryptedpartition4633]

@@Gadl-pq5ey Cascading Sheets))

[@martinnyahasha3810]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📚 Cal Newport introduces the concept of the "Deep Life Stack," a systematic approach to building a more meaningful and intentional life. 02:16 📅 Cal Newport discusses the new edition of his time block planner with improved features like high-quality spiral binding and weekend pages. 05:06 🔄 Cal Newport emphasizes the importance of self-identification and discipline as the foundation for transforming your life into something deeper. 09:47 🤔 Cal Newport explains how to establish your values through a code, rituals, and routines, creating a foundation for living a more intentional life. 16:08 📊 Cal Newport discusses the "Calm" layer of the Deep Life Stack, where you gain control over your life, streamline your commitments, and create organizational systems. 20:09 🗂️ Cal Newport delves into the "Plan" layer, where you divide your life into key areas (buckets) and plan intentional changes to align with your values and goals. 21:35 🔁 Cal Newport highlights the importance of iterating through the Deep Life Stack, continuously refining and adapting your approach to different areas of your life. 32:05 🏡 Mark and his wife are struggling to find time for activities like exercise and reading due to their busy schedules and household responsibilities. 33:13 🔄 The Deep Life Stack approach can help Mark and his wife regain control over their time and create space for meaningful activities. 34:10 💪 Start by introducing a small, manageable discipline into your routine to build self-efficacy and the belief that change is possible. 36:01 📋 Progress through the stack with values, rituals, routines, and organization to gradually regain control over your life. 38:11 🏡 You may discover that major life changes or outsourcing mundane tasks are not necessary once you have organized your time effectively and identified pain points. 41:11 🕰️ Organizing and tracking your time is critical for making informed decisions about what needs to change in your life. 41:38 🕰️ Cal Newport discusses the importance of time management in achieving a deep life. 42:07 👫 When pursuing a deep life, it's crucial to involve your partner and co-create your lifestyle together. 45:39 🧬 There's no genetic component to being organized; it's a practiced ability that improves with training. 46:23 📝 Building organizational skills involves training your mind to subdue distractions and focus on long-term goals. 58:45 📘 Cal Newport mentions the book "Designing Your Life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, highlighting its approach to career and life design, which complements his deep life philosophy but focuses more on decisions and career. 01:01:46 🌐 Apple's Vision Pro is a pass-through augmented reality device that uses a high-definition camera to show a video of the real world, making it easier to add digital elements to the user's surroundings. 01:11:36 💼 Apple is focusing on perfecting the AR experience first, even with clunkier technology, before waiting for advanced waveguide technology. They aim to create a device that can replace multiple screens. 01:12:04 🌐 Apple's investment in AR could be a smarter move than going all-in on AI, as AR could become a massive economic space with high-profit margins, while AI is becoming more competitive and costly. 01:14:10 📺 Apple is working toward a future with fewer screens, where AR glasses could replace the need for traditional screens, making screens more redundant. Made with HARPA AI

[@Yeeeeeehaw]

Great 👍

[@alanikeiser]

I was hoping the music dropped off. The volume is better but it’s still not so great

[@roxannerodriguez7075]

Hi there! 👋 Newbie here. If we want a planner, what do we look for on Amazon? I didn't see a link in your description. 😮

[@ascensionbias7528]

Remember Wunderlist? Great app, Microsoft killed it.

[@pic101]

If value were measured in words, this video would be priceless. How to make a science out of simple advice. I think he must be parodying himself with the diagram. That or… he really thinks we need it? To fully understand this ‘deep’ topic.

[@DarrenAllatt]

Freemasonry provides every aspect of what you’re speaking about and reinforces the deep life stack

[@VishalPipraiya]

This is a book waiting to happen

[@ayeshabhatti9769]

Awesome content man! You haven't leveraged the short form content as of yet. That will help you grow like crazy on social media

[@ayeshabhatti9769]

Here's what you can do with your already existing content: You don't really need to reinvent the wheel rather turn your already exiting long form content into short snippets. Here's a link to some videos that I have edited into short form content:: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CrZkowin-IFCI5hhhoE5Xa9NZ8Q9YsSG?usp=sharing

[@sheeshyouguys]

Why would we want short content?

[@philforrence]

Same, this is sick

[@TheThreatenedSwan]

It seems pointless writing down "your values" with such little detail because if it can boil down to "just be a good person" linguistically, all that's going to happen is you'll go along with the semantic shift of society. So many words change definitions every five minutes and often betray the original essence

[@sarthhakvashist4263]

Hello Cal, Good Evening. This is Sarthak from India. You released the Time Block Planner 2e on 15th August which is the Independence Day of India but it's not available in India directly. I would assume Indians would be significantly large promoters and consumers of your content both in written and video form. Currently, the time block planner is priced at 1900/- Indian Rupeers (around $23). It is too expensive given its a planner. Typical planners cost up to 700-1000 /- Indian rupees. Any plan to contact an Indian print house and get around a planner specific for sale in the Indian subcontinent?

[@franciscafazzo3460]

I feel like I'm f***** what do I do

[@ManifestWorkshop-ks6yz]

Is that Jason Bateman?

[@seanpmcg99]

4 full stack: disclipne #1 stack; SEANS DEEP LIFE

[@aldenho2561]

What's your full stack though?

[@oriantalist]

Two buns out back, and some meat out front

[@theencryptedpartition4633]

Stacks Cal? Another deeply abstract structure ?😂

[@kombinatsiya6000]

I knew this would happen, i.e. Deep Work turning into productivity porn.

[@benjamin_davis]

I didn't get this message. Not everybody gets to live the deep life. It takes dedication and discipline. You need to be intentional with your time. These things rarely happen haphazardly.

[@theencryptedpartition4633]

@@benjamin_davis I’m sure he means the videos, it’s very hard to not watch videos about Deep Work productivity, but the overall message or relation is the same. Possibly expressed in different words or in different scenarios, but we just think there’s one more valuable thing that he talks about that we never knew needed

[@andrewhooper7603]

When you get the message, hang up the phone.

[@TheMightyWalk]

Literally wasted my time the first ten mins

[@tahasoomro8585]

could you be more of a robot

[@NN-fz4pd]

@@theencryptedpartition4633 Could you be more of a troll

[@andrewhooper7603]

@@theencryptedpartition4633 Don't engage. If someone decides to waste their time shitposting, don't let them drag you along.

[@notthatJules1]

I just pre-ordered the new planner.