100: Slow and Steady

In this episode, Erik and Kris celebrate their 100th episode by discussing Cal Newport's Slow Productivity. They go through the book's three principles: do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality. They also reflect on what 100 episodes of Examining have taught them. SHOW NOTES Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout – Cal Newport: Cal's official book page, which his announcement post gives as calnewport.com/slow, and which offers bonus material alongside the book. https://calnewport.com/slow My New Book: Slow Productivity – Cal Newport: Cal's announcement post, which describes a Slow Productivity Primer (an annotated collection of his best writing on the topic) and a crash course video covering the three principles. https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/ On Slow Productivity and the Anti-Busyness Revolution – Cal Newport: An earlier essay (the comments are dated 2021) in which Cal argues we may need a slow productivity revolution more than an economic one. https://calnewport.com/on-slow-productivity-and-the-anti-busyness-revolution/ Slow Productivity Chapter Commentary – Cal Newport: Cal gives behind-the-scenes insights on each chapter of the book. https://calnewport.com/slow-productivity-chapter-commentary/ The Workload Fairy Tale – Cal Newport: Cal connects research on shorter workweeks to the book's idea of workload management. https://calnewport.com/the-workload-fairy-tale/ CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome and Reflecting on 100 Episodes (00:01:28) - How the Podcast's Focus Evolved (00:05:01) - Introducing Cal Newport's Slow Productivity (00:05:43) - Pseudo-Productivity and Busyness as a Measure of Work (00:11:55) - Principle One: Do Fewer Things (00:18:38) - AI, Jevons Paradox, and the Illusion of Saved Time (00:21:54) - Principle Two: Work at a Natural Pace (00:28:11) - Autonomy, Seasonality, and Using AI to Cut Tasks (00:31:17) - Productivity Guilt and Knowing When to Stop (00:38:35) - Principle Three: Obsess Over Quality (00:43:26) - Judgment, Teaching, and Applying the Book to Real Work (00:46:26) - Applying Slow Productivity to the Podcast Itself (00:52:28) - Final Thoughts and Closing