The Rich Roll Podcast

Slow Productivity: Cal Newport On How To Escape Burnout, Do Your Best Work & Achieve More By Doing Less

04 Mar 2024

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Cal Newport, a bestselling author and Computer Science professor at Georgetown University, advocates for a slower approach to productivity that enhances work-life balance and reduces burnout. His philosophy promotes a deliberate and measured approach to work that emphasizes simplicity, autonomy, and thoughtful task engagement. In a world constantly bombarded with communication channels, Cal challenges the idea of constant activity and pseudo-productivity, advocating for a medicinal remedy of deliberate pacing and doing less to minimize undue communication. In this conversation, we explore how to avoid suboptimal navigating of daily schedules, offering insights on improving functionality, focus, and sustaining productivity. Cal addresses challenges related to managing external pressures, prioritizing quality over quantity, intentional time management, and balancing ambition with work-life equilibrium. We discuss autonomy in creative work, common productivity mistakes, dealing with schedule intrusion, and escaping the gravitational pull of email. Cal highlights the impact of slow productivity on modern knowledge work and provides practical strategies for effective workload management, communication, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He emphasizes the significance of meaningful work and the crucial role of setting boundaries to protect time and focus. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: InsideTracker: 25% OFF with code RICHROLL 👉insidetracker.com/RICHROLL Roka: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL 👉ROKA.com/RICHROLL AG1: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 & 5 FREE AG1 Travel Packs 👉 drinkAG1.com/richroll NordicTrack: Top-tier treadmills, bikes, rowers, and more 👉nordictrack.com Squarespace: Get FREE trial 👉 Squarespace.com/RICHROLL

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The Rich Roll Podcast

Slow Productivity: Cal Newport On How To Escape Burnout, Do Your Best Work & Achieve More By Doing Less

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from The Rich Roll Podcast

Best of 2025 (Part Two): The Year’s Most Enduring Insights

Best of 2025 (Part One): Conversations That Shaped Us

Kevin Hall, PhD On The Science & Politics of Weight Loss

Let’s Make The World Wildly Better: Rutger Bregman On Moral Ambition

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