Ep. 281: Learning Hard Things

One of the more important abilities to cultivate for the year ahead is comfort learning complicated (and therefore valuable) new things. In this episode, Cal tackles the myths surrounding mastery and presents a new mental model for internalizing non-trivial information. As he elaborates, there is both good news and bad news when it comes to this topic: you can learn almost anything, but you can’t learn everything.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Learning Hard Things [2:50]- When it comes to taking notes, what really matters? [29:49]- Can I fit all of my hobbies into my week? [36:02]- Can YouTube teach me to be a better student? [39:40]- How do I figure out what to learn next? [46:09]- How do I learn something fast when I already have a busy schedule? [48:23]- CALL: How does “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” relate to “Slow Productivity”? [55:11]CASE STUDY: Slow Productivity affinity group [1:03:46] The 5 books Cal read in December 2023 [1:13:28]Thanks to our Sponsors: drinklmnt.com/deepzocdoc.com/deepThis show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestionsThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Om Podcasten

Cal Newport is a computer science professor and a New York Times bestselling author who writes about the impact of technology on society, and the struggle to work and live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions. On this podcast, he answers questions from his readers and offers advice about cultivating focus, productivity, and meaning amidst the noise that pervades our lives.