Ep. 292: Single-Purpose Notebooks

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal Newport

Technology, Self-improvement, Education

4.8 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 18 March 2024

⏱️ 77 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On his recent book tour, Cal found great success using a small notebook dedicated to developing a single idea. In this episode, he explores this “single-purpose notebook” strategy, identifying when it makes sense and why it works. He also takes listener questions about his new book, “Slow Productivity,” and reacts to a recent article about TikTok’s stumbles.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Single-Purpose Notebooks [5:02]

- If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [27:07]
- Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [34:59]
- Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [39:21]
- How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [48:12]
- Should I read your new book slowly? [52:44]
- CALL: Does Cal ever stress about work? [55:24]

CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [1:00:31]

SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:08:56]

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	I'm Cal Newport and this is Deep Questions, the show about cultivating a deep life in a high-tech world. So I'm here in my deep work HQ joined after long last once again by my
0:29.8	producer Jesse. So Jesse we're finally back to post book tour, I guess post phase one of
0:36.4	the book tour recording in our normal setup once again which makes me happy.
0:40.4	Yep.
0:41.4	Quick report on the book, Slow Productivity, the bestseller list were all announced last week for
0:47.6	launch week and we've done well.
0:50.0	Alright, Jesse, we're going to debut as number two on the New York Times Best Seller
0:55.8	List. Wow. Sitting only behind our good friend James Clear's Atomic Habits.
1:00.9	Monster Book. So that's my third time on the New York Times list, but I've never been in a top spot before,
1:07.6	so that's exciting.
1:09.1	Another first, we made it to the Sunday Times Best Seller list, that's the main Best Seller List in the UK, so our European readers are showing up, Jesse,
1:19.0	and the Indie Bound Independent Bookstore Best Seller list.
1:24.0	So we have our independent bookstore representations going well.
1:28.0	I'm particularly happy about that one.
1:30.0	I think I've signed something like 400 copies of the book so far at people's book here in Tacoma Park
1:35.4	So people are showing up for the indie bookstores which I really appreciate so here's the thing the first week of a book being out
1:45.4	This is really about an existing audience showing up for an author so that's you so thank you for showing up and supporting
1:51.4	this book and of course if you liked it, leave a review.
1:55.2	And if you didn't like it, you shouldn't be on your computer so much.
1:58.4	I would go outside.
1:59.5	I think you need to take a walk.
2:00.7	Like, don't worry about leaving a review a review I think that should all work over
	...

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