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Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 17: Delegation Without Email, Fighting Imposter Syndrome, and My Thoughts on Critical Theory | DEEP QUESTIONS

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Cal Newport

Self-improvement, Education, Technology

4.81.5K Ratings

🗓️ 10 August 2020

⏱️ 99 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on delegating without email, effective methods for fighting imposter syndrome, and my take on critical theory (which leads to an impromptu history seminar, which is the price one pays for asking an academic a question about academic theory),  among many other topics.I will be sending out a new request for text questions to my mailing list soon. You can sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewportPlease consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:WORK QUESTIONS* Effective delegation (hint: don't send an email) [8:09]* Bosses with varied productivity styles [16:25]* Crucial skills for the 21st century [18:54]* The danger of using a pseudonym to evade imposter syndrome [23:34]* How I choose my career [26:23]* Optimal specificity for daily plans [29:40]* Advice for someone new to writing [33:55]QUESTION ROULETTE [35:43]TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS* My thoughts on smart watches [38:49]* Using "memory palaces" to train your brain (random story alert) [40:56]* Moving tasks out of email, even if annoying [44:52]* The limited use of social media for a non-established writer [46:29]* My thoughts on the Boycott Facebook movement [48:11]DEEP LIFE QUESTION* The secret to my "smooth" answers to questions [50:38]* Getting back on track after a professional failure [54:14]* Sticking with a job you dislike [59:32]* An impromptu history seminar on critical theory [1:05:00]Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm Cal Newport and this is Deep Questions, the show where I answer queries for my readers

0:17.0

about work, technology, and the deep life. So some exciting news I am recording this episode from my brand new deep work

0:28.6

HQ I leased some offices above one of my favorite restaurants in Tacoma Park where I live.

0:37.6

The restaurant is called Republic.

0:40.6

I am right above it in some offices and I have taken one of these offices and in the process of converting it into a studio in which I can record the Deep Questions Podcast,

0:51.0

as well as the numerous other types of podcast and radio interviews and online

0:56.7

lectures that I also have to do on a regular basis.

1:00.5

So I blame COVID for me now having to have a HQ in addition to my house.

1:07.0

The key thing about recording is that you have to have quiet.

1:10.0

The key thing about having three kids under the age of eight is that you never have quiet.

1:15.0

Now at least we used to have long swaths of the day where the kids were in school and preschool,

1:21.0

but that's not happening right now.

1:23.9

In fact, we're homeschooling our two oldest kids, and it became quickly clear that I probably

1:30.5

had to have a space when I needed quiet that did not involve us needing to actually

1:34.8

try to keep very young children quiet.

1:37.2

So that was the original push that led me to finally bite the bullet and get my own deep work HQ. This is why I may be adding

1:47.8

some advertisements to the podcast. I mentioned this in the Habit 2 Nut Mini episode that if you are interested in advertising you can send me a note at interesting at calnewport.com and I can help put you in touch with the firm that is working with me on the advertisements.

2:05.0

Why do I need some advertisements?

2:06.0

Well, it's expensive to have offices.

2:08.0

So I got to make this somewhat revenue neutral.

2:12.0

I will say there is a silver lining

2:14.5

to taking on the Deep Work HQ.

...

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