Productivity

Sources:

Here are some insights and strategies for productivity from the :

  1. Setting Boundaries: emphasizes the importance of fixing your schedule and not working outside of it. This requires innovation and figuring out how to make your goals work within those constraints. Integrating sleep and exercise into your routine can also be crucial for cognitive function and general well-being 1.

  2. Meeting Deadlines: talks about the importance of being relentless about meeting deadlines, which sometimes means cramming or starting early. He also mentions the challenges in researching and ensuring the quality of his podcast episodes 2.

  3. Rethinking Productivity: discusses the shift from visible activity to true productivity in the knowledge work era and the impact of technology on work habits 3.

    Productivity Insights

    Cal shares his approach to productivity, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and adapting to constraints. He discusses how his struggles with sleep shaped his concept of "slow productivity" and the value of incorporating exercise into his daily routine for mental sharpness.

    Huberman Lab

    Dr. Cal Newport: How to Enhance Focus and Improve Productivity
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  4. Simple Protocols: Turning your phone into airplane mode or off to minimize distractions is recommended for better focus. Locking your phone away can help enforce productivity during goal pursuit, as illustrated by own experiences 4.

  5. Learning Styles: Engaging with non-fiction books often requires deep thinking and connecting ideas, which might be better suited to reading hardcopy or using a Kindle as opposed to audiobooks. Fiction, on the other hand, works well with audiobooks according to Cal Newport's preferences 5.

  6. Email Strategies: shares her approach of checking email once a week, which helps her avoid excessive commitments and maintain mental clarity for creative work 6.

  7. Desk Ergonomics: Alternating between standing and sitting during work has benefits for both health and productivity, with about half the work time standing being optimal. Standing activates brainstem circuits involved in alertness, enhancing focus 7.

For more specific protocols and in-depth discussions on productivity, consider reading Cal Newport's books mentioned in his interview with : "Deep Work" and "Slow Productivity" 8.

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