Dr. Cal Newport and Dr. Andrew Huberman discuss the concept of time blocking, fixed schedule productivity and deep work.
Cal Newport, Ph.D. (@CalNewportMedia) is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and bestselling author of numerous books on focus and productivity and how to access the deepest possible layers of your cognitive abilities in order to do quality work and lead a more balanced life. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Time Management Strategies
00:11 The Philosophy of Time Blocking vs. To-Do Lists
01:31 Adopting a Fixed Schedule for Productivity
02:17 Incorporating Exercise into a Busy Schedule
03:30 Managing Insomnia and Productivity
06:41 Deep Work: The Key to Long-Term Success
07:54 Looking Ahead: Planning for Decades, Not Days
08:51 Conclusion and Invitation to Watch Full Episode
#HubermanLab #CalNewport #Productivity
The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
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3:44 me too
Have you tried any productivity apps as Ticktick or timesripe?
This is why I love your videos. Great reaction!
Played this at 2x speed to save time
Namaste
Only One Theoram
"When selecting from the infinite cosmic possibilities at any given moment Ask yourself one question
What is the only one thing that I should be doing and why?"
This theoram eliminates all wastage , leading to super savings on time
2:15 "You innovate a lot when you have these constraints." I love this line!
That’s avery nice but when met talk about that that’s very difficult to addapting for that 🤞
Fyp
This was so insightful—thank you for sharing!
Looks like you had an amazing day! ✨
I love using a to-do list because it frames my day. If I don't use it, my time will pass unproductively.
As a time-slot addict, it's nice to hear from people with the same mindset. I am a complete opposite to my close family, who always tell me to "not to worry too much" or how it's impossible to watch movies with me, because when they decide to spend 30minutes doing something totally else, I'll leave, because I was supposed to sleep 10min after the movie.
This guy never had a real job.
I can’t get over how good the beat drop is. 😩
Key points:
-Cal Newport is a time blocker. He gives his time a job.
-He stops working at 5:30 PM each day, usually.
-He works off of a fixed schedule, and everything else must respect that. Reminds me of the jar analogy: everything else must fit around the rocks.
-He aims for 90 min of deep work every week day, even in his busiest days. In his less busy seasons (e.g., summer when he's not teaching) then he fills his day with deep work.
-He works out for ~45 min before dinner.
-He has insomnia (unable to fall asleep).
-He views productivity over large periods of time: months, not days. This reduces stress bc it doesn't put so much pressure on every single day. No one day should be critical to your goals. As long as he's moving toward his long-term goals month over month, he's happy.
-He doesn't have Elon Musk levels of energy. He is adaptive. He wants a productivity system that works in the real world, with distractions and challenges, not in the ideal world.
this is great
You can't manage Time. The only thing you can manage is what you're doing in a timespan.
"I try and structure my days as best I can, but it never quite works"…. Exactly
Great insights from both doctors. I recently started using Astirna New Tab to manage my productivity better, and it’s made a noticeable difference in my daily routine.
Doctor, can you do us a favor and do a podcast with Elon Musk about control,
his daily schedule? How he learns quickly and maintains his energy for each day
his sleep schedule
how his deep work works and how he does it
thank you
The part about planning for decades instead of days really struck a chord. A long-term perspective truly changes how we manage our daily priorities!
I really love how humble huberman is, like approving the new information with a big smile and saying “i think imma try you method” 0:57 it’s like saying in short “ i really learned a new thing which’s wholesome
I love this approach! Time blocking really helps me focus on my most important tasks instead of getting distracted by endless to-do lists. I try to structure my days too, but I always struggle with sticking to it. It’s so true that focusing on the long game—like committing to deep work most days—makes a huge difference. Honestly, I feel the same way about sleep.
Insomnia can definitely throw off productivity, but as they say, slow and steady wins the race! The Sense of Humor Improvement Program might help us keep that balance in check, too. Keep adapting, and stay consistent!
Hmm. recent research shown that regular exercising doesn't make us sharper
I appreciate this as a mom. I don’t have the same capacity every day.
He just talks a lot about deep work because he is a writer. It doesn't apply to everything. Context-switching is most tech founders, high growth startups do. He is just talking from a perspective of being a writer.
Comming back to what matters
This is nice in theory except when you have to work 14 hour days nonstop to make ends meet. It’s nice he has all this free time though. Good for him.
Works out after work and before dinner…sounds like someone else is making dinner for him? Must be nice.
All of this sounds good in theory but is not the reality for a lot of people in terms of how much free time they actually have.