Cal Newport Books
Cal Newport earned a PhD in computer science in 2009. He was a post-doctoral associate at MIT and was en route to becoming a professor when he learned how frustrating looking for an academic job could be. He wanted to stay in the United States for family reasons, but learned that it might mean starting over from scratch. This book is about the answers he found to the question, how do you end up loving what you do?
So Good They Can't Ignore You
What's So Good They Can't Ignore You about?
How can you find a job that you are good at and enjoy? This book advocates the "craftsman mind-set" of patiently developing skills instead of the typical "follow-your-passion" advice, and offers practical solutions to acquiring and maintaining job satisfaction.
Who should read So Good They Can't Ignore You?
- Anyone who wants to know why “follow your passion” is bad advice
- Anyone interested in alternative routes to job satisfaction and success
How to Become a Straight-A Student
What's How to Become a Straight-A Student about?
How to Become a Straight-A Student offers you successful strategies used by actual straight-A students to help you score better grades while studying less. From time management to concrete advice on developing a thesis, this book gives you all the tools you need to earn the perfect 4.0 without burning out.
Who should read How to Become a Straight-A Student?
- Students who are sick of pulling all-nighters
- Anyone who wants to make the most out of their time
- Anyone who would benefit from less procrastination
What's Deep Work about?
Deep Work (2016) is all about how the rise of technology has wrecked our ability to concentrate deeply on tasks – and how to overcome this blockade. These blinks illustrate different strategies that can help you improve the output of your work and get the most out of your free time.
Who should read Deep Work?
- Anyone trying to concentrate on cognitively demanding tasks
- People whose days are consumed by email, social media and technology
- Workers interested in learning tools to enhance their productivity
What's Digital Minimalism about?
Digital Minimalism (2018) is a practical guide to navigating today’s media landscape, where multiple billion-dollar companies are out to keep your eyes as glued to their platforms as possible. Fortunately, there is growing skepticism surrounding new technology and digital media. People are eager to regain their autonomy and, while they’re at it, live more satisfying and healthy lives. With these tools and methods, you too can regain the focus and productivity that comes from stepping back from new technology.
Who should read Digital Minimalism?
- Anyone feeling overwhelmed with social media
- People looking for tips to boost productivity
- News junkies in need of a detox
A World Without Email
What's A World Without Email about?
A World Without Email (2021) presents a bold reimagining of the workplace, one in which the days of email and instant messaging are a thing of the past. It argues that while email may seem like an integral part of modern knowledge work, it’s actually making everyone less productive and less focused, not to mention miserable. The solution will require a major paradigm shift – but it will be well worth the effort.
Who should read A World Without Email?
- Business leaders who want to root out inefficiencies in their organizations
- Employees frustrated with the workplace culture of constant communication
- Freelancers and entrepreneurs looking to improve their workflow
What's Slow Productivity about?
Slow Productivity (2024) offers a transformative philosophy for achieving meaningful accomplishment while avoiding overload. It critiques the broken definition of productivity that leads to overwhelming task lists and burnout, proposing a more sustainable alternative inspired by history's creative thinkers. Drawing on examples from Galileo to Jane Austen, it presents the principles of "slow productivity", offering practical advice for escaping overload and pursuing long-term quality in work.
Who should read Slow Productivity?
- Stressed knowledge workers overwhelmed by pointless admin
- Burnt-out professionals who’ve lost their creative spark
- Managers who want to see real results from their teams