Ep. 335: On Morning Routines

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

One of the most popular and most derided topics in online productivity spaces are so-called morning routines. In this episode, Cal wades into this content, identifying three major categories of these routines. For each, he explores what’s good and what’s bad. In the end, he uses these lessons to update his own daily routines in some highly specific ways. He then answers reader questions and ends with a “tech corner” segment that builds on Cal’s latest essay for The New Yorker.

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: On Morning Routines [4:04]

- How should I choose what podcasts to listen to? [41:49]

- How does Cal track daily steps? [52:57]

- Can I switch my office hours around? [57:23]

- How long should I remain at a large marketing firm? [1:02:37]

- How can I reject meetings? [1:10:02]

- CALL: How to obsess over quality while researching [1:13:22]

CASE STUDY: A career transition to become a pastor [1:18:57]

TECH CORNER: YouTube and the Creative Middle Class [1:28:18]

Links:

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

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

x.com/jockowillink

tiktok.com/@spartan/video/7259530421099056427

nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/i-tried-miracle-morning-routine-month-here-s-what-happened-ncna981786

youtube.com/watch?v=roK4g1e28mM

newyorker.com/culture/rabbit-holes/a-lesson-in-creativity-and-capitalism-from-two-zany-youtubers

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

cozyearth.com/deep (Use code: DEEP)

mybodytutor.com

byloftie.com (Use code: DEEP20)

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