Ep 33: Rethinking Delegation, Pandemic Childcare, and Balancing Deep Work with Deep Hobbies

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions about the hidden difficulties of delegation, the impact of pandemic childcare on productivity (hint: it's not good), and the balance between deep work and deep hobbies, among many other topics.

To submit your own questions, sign up for my mailing list at calnewport.com. You can submit audio questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/CalNewport

Please consider subscribing (which helps iTunes rankings) and leaving a review or rating (which helps new listeners decide to try the show).

Thanks to our sponsor Optimize. For a free trial and 10% off go to optimize.me/DEEP.

Thanks to our sponsor Blinkist. For a free trial and 25% off go to blinkist.com/DEEP.

Here’s the full list of topics tackled in today’s episode along with the timestamps:

WORK QUESTIONS * Spreading yourself too thin [11:11] * Willpower fatigue [16:58] * Deciding when to delegate [20:06] * Work hour equity [23:03] * Pandemic-induced childcare [28:45] * Digital minimalism in the entertainment industry [34:19]

TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS * Storing longterm notes [43:38] * The value of site/app blocking software [45:22] * Concentration and pornography (rant alert) [46:44]

BACKSTAGE PASS [54:50]

DEEP LIFE QUESTIONS * Deep work versus deep hobbies [1:00:49] * Stopping ruminations [1:03:57] * Binging on productivity videos [1:07:47] * Seeking depth when hopelessly distracted [1:10:32]

Thanks to listener Jay Kerstens for the intro music.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.