The Minimal Productivity System That Could Reinvent Your Life | Cal Newport

Cal Newport explains a minimal protocol for taking control of your life in Episode 343 of the Deep Questions podcast.

Buy Cal Newport's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow

One of the most commonly recurring themes on this show is the conflict between too much versus not enough productivity. In this episode, Cal attempts to find new clarity in this debate by identifying a minimal viable productivity system – that is, what are the bare minimum components needed to escape the chaos and stress of total disorganization. He then answers listener questions and dives into a A.I. themed Tech Corner segment.

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Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/opinion/ezra-klein-podc…

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0:00 A Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your Life
29:28 Is “finding purpose” and “following your passion” the same thing?
34:25 How can I capture key takeaways from podcasts if I’m always on the move?
36:26 Can you elaborate on project work with your PhD students?
38:43 How can I deal with my federal job with drastic priority changes due to political party shifts?
45:59 Is it possible for some managers to avoid pseudo-productivity?
49:08 Writing a book as a side hustle
56:22 An athletic trainer makes a career transition [59:19]
1:04:30 A.G.I. versus SkyNet

Connect with Cal Newport:

🔴Visit Cal's BLOG and website: calnewport.com/blog/
🔴Check out Cal's books: calnewport.com/writing/
🔴Check out The Deep Life: thedeeplife.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.

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