Ep. 19: Calendar Shaming, Digital Detox Struggles, and the Unexpected Challenges of Autonomy | DEEP QUESTIONS

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on calendar shaming, digital detox struggles, and the unexpected challenges of gaining more professional autonomy, among many other topics.
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Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:
WORK QUESTIONS
* Modernizing GTD [2:18]
* Calendar Shaming [7:59]
* How I keep track of projects [14:15]
* Staying relevant when less connected [16:29]
* The inherent unpredictability of kids and facing the productivity dragon [19:21]
* Quantifying career capital [25:09]
AUDIO QUESTION OF THE DAY [28:17]
TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
* Dealing with screen time overload [31:36]
* Is a Kindle a screen? [36:32]
* The relative depth of books versus podcasts [36.48]
* Digital detox struggles [39:26]
* Instagram struggles (hint: my suggestion starts with a ‘Q’ and rhymes with ‘bit’) [44:02]
QUESTION ROULLETE [45:49]
DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS
* Interviewing people you want to emulate [49:04]
* Dealing with psychological hurdles such as negative self-talk and impostor syndrome [54:30]
* Learning hard things fast [1:03:53]
* Vitamin solitude [1:05:24]
* The challenges of autonomy [1:07:54]
* Understanding those upset by depth [1:11:05]
Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.