• Ep. 350: Is Inbox Zero Possible?

  • Apr 28 2025
  • Length: 1 hr and 9 mins
  • Podcast

Ep. 350: Is Inbox Zero Possible?

  • Summary

  • The white whale of modern productivity discourse is achieving an empty email inbox; a goal state that’s often referred to simply as “inbox zero.” In this episode, Cal looks at why the original advice for achieving inbox zero failed and explores a strategy that might work better. He then answers listener questions and in a final segment reacts to a recent guest on the Tim Ferriss podcast who provides an interesting case study of the deep life in action.

    Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

    Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

    Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

    Deep Dive: Is Inbox Zero Possible? [2:45]

    • How can I perform beyond the bare minimum on “Survival Days”? [29:40]
    • How can I remain sane with a job that changes schedules every week? [34:55]
    • How are computer systems rewarded in AI? [37:08]
    • How can I stop my boss from interrupting me with constant chatter? [41:34]

    CALL: Identifying the next action [44:02]

    CALL: Finding true depth during the final years of college [51:33]

    CAL REACTS: Craig Mod’s walks through Japan [1:01:18]

    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?
    youtube.com/watch?v=z9UjeTMb3Yk

    Thanks to our Sponsors:

    cozyearth.com/deep
    auraframes.com [Promo Code “DEEPQUESTIONS”]
    kinsta.com/deepquestions
    udacity.com/deep

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

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