Why Can’t I Motivate Myself To Work?

Рет қаралды 238,871

Күн бұрын

Cal Newport gives advice on how to get motivated to work.
Cal explains two topics that play a role in work motivation. First is Deep Procrastination. The source is hard work and a sense of arbitrariness.
Cal also explains dopamine sickness. This deals with the many distractions. It's important to have a target goal and a plan. Interval training can also be an important tool.
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
Listen to Episode Here (Scroll down to #164DeepQuestionsPodcast) : www.thedeeplife.com/listen/
0:00 Cal's intro
0:45 Deep procrastination
4:00 Solutions
8:00 Dopamine sickness
Connect with Cal Newport:
🔴Visit Cal's BLOG and website: calnewport.com/blog/
🔴Check out Cal's books: calnewport.com/writing/
About Cal Newport:
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. In addition to his academic research, he writes about the intersection of digital technology and culture. Cal's particularly interested in our struggle to deploy these tools in ways that support instead of subvert the things we care about in both our personal and professional lives.
Cal is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including, most recently, A World Without Email, Digital Minimalism, and Deep Work. He's also the creator of The Time-Block Planner.
The videos are considered to be used under the "Fair Use Doctrine" of United States Copyright Law, Title 17 U.S. Code Sections 107-118. Videos are used for editorial and educational purposes only and I do not claim ownership of any original video content. I don't use said video clips in advertisements, marketing or for direct financial gain. All video content in each clip is considered owned by the individual broadcast companies.
#CalNewport #DeepWork #DeepLife #DeepQuestions #TimeblockPlanner
#WorldWithoutEmail #DeepQuestionsPodcast

Пікірлер: 304

@theflexitech Күн бұрын

When I sit quietly, there is always a list, ledger, inbox of things I need to be attending to, and caring of. When I ignore these things, and let them pile up, there is no focus or peace or clarity in bigger life plans, and I don't enjoy the day to day grind usually as a result. I noticed that it always bothered me when my bed was messy, so I started making my bed every morning, then I was never bothered or distracted or worried of it ever again. Action is the thing that changes people, thinking is an action, and too much of it without structure can ruin you.

@geneg3776 Жыл бұрын

I love how Cal really gets how we feel and the struggles we have and doesn't just dismiss them.

@cesarborja1064 Жыл бұрын

That's why his ideas are worth listening to - he is one of us, and gives us practicals on how to go about.

@geneg3776 Жыл бұрын

@@cesarborja1064 👍

@joshjwolff 4 ай бұрын

Agreed. He's not an elitist and doesn't write off our real feelings and struggles.

@s.d.g.global4582 3 ай бұрын

Who is the "we" you are representing?

@putinstea 2 ай бұрын

Why would he? dopamine sickness casued by media/internet addiction is so pervasive. Everyone knows it, and I'm, no better than the next guy.

@henrikkarl25 2 ай бұрын

ive found the absolutly most important thing i have done for my dopamine health is to sit in boredom.. Just stay into the wall.. And even stop entertaining the mind .. so you fast from all stimuli.. this works like noting ive ever tried.. And it works fast!

@buzzcutbiene2211 Ай бұрын

@henrikkarl25 For how long?

@tirathsingh09 Ай бұрын

@@buzzcutbiene2211 9-5

@LEGOKRASS Ай бұрын

Thanks! Could you elaborate this a little? How long do you sit in boredom before you begin doing something? To fast from all stimuli is incredibly diffucult to me. How did you achieve that? And: "...even stop entertaining the mind" Isn´t that like meditation? I wanna try but don´t know how.

@buzzcutbiene2211 Ай бұрын

@@LEGOKRASS He can not answer. He is busy staring into the wall ;)

@LEGOKRASS Ай бұрын

@@buzzcutbiene2211 🤣🤣🤣

@elietheprof5678 3 ай бұрын

The worst is how quickly my brain builds up a tolerance to all these productivity hacks. For example going to a new coffee shop or library might improve my focus for the first day or two, and after that it just becomes a new procrastination space. It’s as if my subconscious is absolutely determined to find a way to get nothing done.

@audiodead7302 3 ай бұрын

My sense is that getting started is the hard part. It is much easier to keep going. So the thing to do is tell yourself that you are going to concentrate deeply on this important task for 5 mins. You will find it is easy to then keep going.

@AmrElsayyad 3 ай бұрын

I think you need to find purpose, as he said in 6:26

@Southpaw2198 2 ай бұрын

because our work is utterly meaningless hence it fails to hold our attention

@bens5859 2 ай бұрын

It's not the work that I feel is purposeless, it's the future. At best the future is hazy and at worst it's hellish. Either way, delayed gratification seems far from guaranteed. (How long before I see the headline that AI has automated all of my marketable skills?) Any long term investment is a tough sell for my brain.

@AnnisNaeemOfficial 2 ай бұрын

Have you tried not going out at all? That in itself is the procrastination.

@richardsadventures4958 2 ай бұрын

Watching this while playing with my phone, when I'm supposed to be working!

@glum_hippo 10 сағат бұрын

lo siento

@shuaibkadir8657 2 ай бұрын

Cal you need to do a course or series on overcoming dopamine sickness. It's way more common and difficult than people realise

@CosmicApe Ай бұрын

Working from home I always had my work computer right next to my main computer where I would spend a lot of time listening to music, researching things, or playing video games. Inevitably, you get distracted or demotivated to work with your entertainment system sitting right there. What helped me was plugging in my personal PC monitor into my work docking station during the day, thus rendering my personal machine useless for those 8 hours. My work is pretty regulated, our machines are locked down, have to access everything via VPN, and I wouldn't do anything "personal" related on that machine. Essentially, I created an ecosystem where I have to work or I have nothing to do. Some days I'm not motivated to do the work, but I find when there's no other options available to me, I just get started on things and build up the momentum, and all of the sudden I'm deep in the work within 30-minutes or so and very focused.

@draregrevtaam1147 Ай бұрын

What about your phone? That's another distraction when working from home.

@Epictetus888 9 күн бұрын

That is spot on! I use to do that with my laptop, only problem is, now I work from a PC and its my complete station, entertainment, research, video editing(work) and content creation. I end up watching youtube and looking up fun stuff, while eating at my desk till I am tired then I hit the couch or bed and crash. its killing me hard productively, Oh I use to play a online game called Apex Legends, that basically destroyed my day job and was killing my online biz, I cut that, but my brain has just moved over to social media, movies. I am currently in the fight for my self. Massive dopamine issues, being ADD doesn't help. I found doing work in 10-45min bursts with reward or switching to another task helps. I trick my mind into believing its only a 10 min then you can time waste, 10min each day is better then 0. I end up doing more once in the flow, sometimes I don't.

@nickmonks9563 9 күн бұрын

One thing that helps me (once I've motivated enough to list the tasks I need to do and break them down as small as I can) is to write the number 1 simplest obstacle to getting that task done right next to it. That way I know exactly what's holding me back from getting it done. Then I just have to clear the obstacle. It *can* be hard to identify both the task and the obstacle in their simplest form sometimes, but with some practice it gets easier fast. Especially as MOST of the time it's something ridiculous or mundane like "buy a pen", "clear off everything from my office desk" (hint: doesn't matter where the stuff goes...just put it in a box or something) or "respond to that email." On emails, once I convince myself that the substance of the email doesn't really matter as much as responding to it, it becomes much easier...and usually the substance turns out to be sufficient because I managed to get *started* on the email enough to reply with something coherent.

@cocobololocoloco 6 күн бұрын

Simple and effective...thanks.

@Nomaddone123 Жыл бұрын

The last 2 minutes is exactly how I am doing it. Context: I am working from home and I also don’t normally prefer a coworking work setup so I can’t really work from those spaces. Here’s what I’ve been trying, if someone finds this in 6 months maybe check back and see if it worked: 1. Do not work from home if you can’t do it. Spend the money like Cal mentioned. I spend my mornings getting things in order ideally without a phone and follow my routine, once I’ve had my lunch at home, I’m out at a cafe I find to be best suited for deep work. 2. Get coffee and get to a 2-3 hour schedule of deep work with a 20 minute walk in between 3. Throw in a whiteboard in your space with every hour accounted for (Personal care, Deep work, Workout sessions, Meals, etc) This helps with a sense of routine and is a UX improvement cause now you have daily clarity and your brain doesn’t actively spend energy planning a fresh day unless there’s a few minor changes. This isn’t a strict schedule so I wouldn’t beat myself up over it but it’s a rough layout to get started with. 4. Force boredom like Cal mentioned. I switch off or leave my phone for 30-60 minutes and just force myself to be bored (Learning to enjoy it) 5. Take regular walks (this could just be me) but I enjoy my 2-3 walks everyday Hope this helps and I’d love to know what y’all have been doing🤝

@HabitLabPodcast Жыл бұрын

I don’t work from home and I know I wouldn’t do well in that setting. But your points are extremely applicable and helpful. Thanks for sharing this. ✍️

@Nomaddone123 Жыл бұрын

@@HabitLabPodcast Appreciate it! The funny bit is that I’ve now found an office setting I really love with a whole new role so most of my “work from home processes” are no longer applicable. Nevertheless it helped get through some pretty tough times.

@jordanr7290 10 ай бұрын

Hope it’s going well!

@Naville90 3 ай бұрын

@Nomaddone123 how’s it going?

@seekertruth72 2 ай бұрын

walk really helps I have been doing it from long time

@BobDunlock Жыл бұрын

I usually refer to it as dopamine addiction. The reward center of my brain was really screwed up from basically puberty on to the age of 30. Anytime things were difficult or uncomfortable I would turn to porn or video games and suffer the consequences of basically coasting through family obligations, academia, and my career, which led me to stress out and consume more porn and video games. I lost thousands of dollars from the college classes I failed through my negligence and almost lost my marriage because I had no self control. My understanding is that addiction happens through the mid-brain which dispenses dopamine and other reward chemicals when you accomplish tasks. This is also the part of your brain that manages flight or fight, and if you have trained your brain to reward you for doing pointless actions, refraining from doing those actions will ultimately cause your brain to panic and you will be unable to focus until you either succumb or get external support and an exit plan for your addictions. I sobered up in 2018 and seeing what 2020 did to many friends in support groups really disturbed me. For myself I've found an almost bottomless well of motivation and far more purpose in life than I thought possible just by keeping the course and repeating my mantra: Create more than you consume. Thanks for sharing The Deep Life philosophy, I think it is medicine that the world really needs right now.

@ParhamDoustdar 10 ай бұрын

I'd love more details about your journey in 2018. What kinds of "external help" did you try? What worked? What didn't?

@ghananaturals8525 9 ай бұрын

"Create more than you consume" is a game changer. Thanks for sharing your experience.

@BobDunlock 8 ай бұрын

@@ParhamDoustdar I really appreciate the question. I've written a few responses over the past few weeks but it quickly turns into a novel before I realize I've got too much to say about it all. If you have a more specific question feel free to ask. I'm an open book. As for what worked, finding people in recovery with a similar addiction who were able to offer advice and not judge me when I was struggling. Having a non-judgemental support system who wanted the best for me I could call or confide in when I wanted to act out was crucial because my feelings weren't bottled up anymore. I also rely heavily on a higher power, because through that context there is greater purpose to life than the secular intellectual lens I was living through prior. What didn't work was trying to fix things on my own. Or downplaying the severity of my actions. I needed to adopt an attitude of accountability without shame. I also tried replacing my addiction with other addictions, thinking the consequences of one would be better than the consequences of another, but in the end I was losing twice as much time on either addiction. I also tried to incrementally wean myself off of my addictions by seeking milder stuff. And example of this regarding my pornography addiction I shifted my focus from hardcore porn to swimwear and active wear. This backfired because I didn't quit the harder stuff, I just had learned to fetischize more common things to the point I had to avoid pools and beaches entirely in early recovery because they were far too triggering. I really don't know if any of that helps. I've found that everyone is on their own journey with this, though in many cases there is abundant crossover, so whenever others have offered advice I've taken it where it is applicable, and given it freely because you never know what helps.

@cocobololocoloco 6 күн бұрын

Great mantra.

@shantanushekharsjunerft9783 3 ай бұрын

Deep procrastination was quite incisive! When you don’t understand how your work adds meaning to your life it can be extremely de-motivating.

@hraith Ай бұрын

I totally could've written that letter at the beginning. My bread and butter at work is deep problem solving, so this could very well become an existential threat for my career. His suggestions make a lot of sense.

@benjamesv Жыл бұрын

I turned my iPhone into a 'dumb' phone by only enabling the necessary apps using parental controls, then setting a random parental controls password, writing the password down on a piece of paper and hiding it at home. This means, when I am out, my iPhone can only be used for necessary things (maps, banking, phone calls), and if I want to access anything else, I cant, because I can't disable the parental controls because I dont have the password (it's at home). I find this a better solution compared to getting rid of the smartphone and buying a flip phone. Hope this helps ya'll

@eliocosmos 2 ай бұрын

I just might try this thank you.

@donkeyfacepunch 2 ай бұрын

Ah yes, necessary apps like KZfaq are unblocked. That makes sense.

@sable747 2 ай бұрын

Wow. Thank you!

@corporaljoebauers8628 2 ай бұрын

😮

@cruzsalinas6723 2 ай бұрын

@@donkeyfacepunch What? They didn't say they had it unblocked

@nnzulu7684 Жыл бұрын

I'm just so happy he explains the science behind this , because procrastination can feel like a personal flaw but it's actually externally triggered.

@BBartistic 2 ай бұрын

Wow "personal flaw" part is so true. It feels just like that. But its not true and thats refreshing.😅

@Mangolorian-je3eo 2 ай бұрын

You’re reading this while listening to the clip, aren’t you?

@lwmartin7 Ай бұрын

Maaaaybe

@drivingintothedesertuntilt3202 Ай бұрын

whilst browsing PH yes

@kgreene460 Ай бұрын

Damnit

@RelentlessDrunk Ай бұрын

Nah but I’ll read it later, there’s still time

@minimaxhall Ай бұрын

Nope.. I paused at 0:03 and went straight to comments.. Don't think I'll watch this. The comments themselves was enough.

@tamboleo Ай бұрын

It's the guilt what kills me, I have a good job but i want to keep learning and getting better but i find myself just finding whatever excuse to do nothing at all

@salexander05 Ай бұрын

This!

@wannabecarguy Ай бұрын

I feel guilty at the end of day for my lack of productivity. But when I make a list of what I have completed, I realize I am actually productive but my brain is telling the opposite. I believe this happens when I skip lunch and or lack of sleep. This is one of many things that I do to sabotage myself.

@Rosielovesmusic Ай бұрын

Me too. It's been going on for years. I have a part time job, but if I'm not at work, I struggle to bring myself to do much else except look at my phone or KZfaq. I'll do light chores because I have to, though this is bare minimum. I want to work full time but somehow just can't bring myself to do it because I fear not having the capacity the manage the load. I only work 20 hours a week, yet I feel tired as if I worked a full week. I definitely believe this happened due to covid lockdown as before I was much more driven. I'm accountable though and only I can change my circumstances.

@77dris 2 күн бұрын

@@Rosielovesmusic You've answered your own problem in the second sentence. Ditch looking at your phone and you will be golden.

@chiragdalwani4422 5 ай бұрын

1) Decrease the hardness 2) Reduce the hard thing to time block plans so its easier to execute 3) Why are you doing hard stuff, you should know the why The targetted lifestyle 4) Boredom therapy: regular distraction free periods 5) Interval training : timer of focus 6) retrain your brain for longer periods of focus 7) din get the rituals thing

@CosmicDeejay Ай бұрын

If you can't even sit through a 12 minute video then you're not really putting forward an effort to fix this issue

@chiragdalwani4422 Ай бұрын

@@CosmicDeejay This wasn't a substitute to the video but rather a summary I wrote for myself Also I have realised that the only way to get work done is to WORK and that's it No videos help

@HabitLabPodcast Жыл бұрын

Setting up rituals to get into work is something we don’t think about, but can make such a difference.

@cmralph... Жыл бұрын

So grateful I got away from all that nonsense last year. It was life changing.

@naimrahman1578 8 ай бұрын

Cal is like the really smart eldest cousin but you can also relate so much to whatever is he says and is really down to earth. Cheers man!

@ArtVandelayInc Жыл бұрын

I think this could be the perfection for a procrastination video. It's just spot on on multiple levels. Cal, your understanding of the topic is just incredible. Thank you

@RudolfJvVuuren Ай бұрын

Rituals and also creating "work" spaces, at home. For example: many people say they've made up a room -or space, in their home, to be their "work office". So when they go sit at that "desk", it helps their mind to go into "work" mode. Also: try to stick to "office hours". Resist the urge to sleep in (I work from home, but set my alarm to the actual office start time) and also resist the urge to work over-time (because sometimes it's easy to just carry on working, once you've gotten into the flow). But force yourself to stop when it's normal "going home time" (obviously unless there's something urgent that needs to be finished). Because that will also help you to "switch out of work mentality" and into "off-time mentality". I like to go for a jog then, and take a shower. That's physical rituals that almost serves as a "line" for me to help switch out off "work". Which will help you to have a balanced life, (i.e. switch off and have recreational time) which will then help you the next morning to NOT sleep in but to want to go into "work mode" again when it's time to start.

@TREBLEBOOSTER65 15 күн бұрын

I appreciate this because it sounds like he really gets it. Not someone who made it and forgot the struggle of getting there just telling us to work harder like most people on youtube.

@Creeder991 Жыл бұрын

What you're saying makes a lot of sense. We're constantly getting pulled in so many directions by the things we do and watch either on tv or our phones. Our brains dwell on these things for a long time even if it was just a short 30-second thing online. We're mentally exhausted hence we can't focus or get motivated. The dopamine sickness is true; we do not feel like spending too much time working on anything and nothing feels like it's worth it anyway when truth is we have to focus and spend time on tasks that are of higher value.

@seekertruth72 2 ай бұрын

very well explained. I got addicted to reels few seconds on Instagram and YT, face book My content is educative but still enertainment, travel, comedy etc. its addicting as it gives immediate happiness trying to reduce by going for walk

@jesseatalor7995 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this Cal Newport, these solutions are eye opening. You are doing a great job

@selvamthiagarajan8152 Жыл бұрын

What advice from this video did you implement and what results have you seen?

@garak55 18 күн бұрын

Thank you. These kinda video are often only about describing the problem or blaming modernity or young people but you actually gives a few step I can try to implement.

@norajasna2306 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! I needed this, it`s even perfect that it`s only 10 minutes and so on point, with solutions and everything. Amazing! Now I guess I have some work to do.

@handsanitiser9832 10 ай бұрын

This is so true it hurts!!!! Love this content, as always!!

@Ben-gt1vf 2 ай бұрын

Love your stuff Cal, the world today certainly is in need of knowledge like "deep procrastination" and "dopamine sickness" Peace and Blessings B.

@jaymarx8927 2 ай бұрын

I am literally unable to do only one thing at a time. If I was sitting on the couch watching a movie, I would find it too boring to just do that. I would be scrolling on my phone the whole time or thinking about things that I need to do. My work has always been complicated and needing input from many sources, so I can't turn off the web and microsoft has now made a homepage that is full of clickbait including things that you recently looked at shopping. sometimes I can't focus on what I'm supposed to be doing, so I'm like a moth clicking back and forth between things that I need to do and distractions. Only deadlines motivate me because the priorities become clear.

@seekertruth72 2 ай бұрын

how to handle this same here pls tell not able to do any thing completely just fleeting form one to another

@ashleyspiano Ай бұрын

@@seekertruth72 Even the way you guys type shows how short your attention span is. I get it, been there. But you really have to just suck it up and start breaking your addiction. Start by only doing one thing at a time. Eat at a table without watching something. Just start. Things worth doing can be hard.

@meregaming1770 Ай бұрын

@@ashleyspiano Hate to break it to you but your writing style is no different than theirs.

@daterror5459 Жыл бұрын

First comment! Cal I love your videos, looking forward to read your books, I have one in my bookshelf :3 Thank you for sharing awesome advice, you are helping a lot of people!

@mikemason746 Ай бұрын

For almost all of human history, if you didn't work you didn't eat. Pretty good motivation we don't really have anymore.

@thetransferaccount4586 Ай бұрын

yeah the primary cause of whatever this bs 'deep procrastination' is not knowing why do we live on this forsaken planet

@gabrielleyadav3661 4 ай бұрын

Ahh this was so helpful! Just found you today from the minimalists podcast. Thank you!! 🙏

@user-rc2le2mq4u 6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for this informative video and useful piecees of advice!

@weston.weston Жыл бұрын

This is a great response, Cal.

@selvamthiagarajan8152 Жыл бұрын

My take away, connect what you are doing at work to a bigger , positive vision.

@DirkSorensby 9 ай бұрын

For sure can relate. Outstanding adice.

@rajujha5225 Жыл бұрын

Great advice Cal. And so much relatable problem.

@selvamthiagarajan8152 Жыл бұрын

What advice from cal have you implemented, and what results have you seen? Please share.

@prestonthomas5399 5 ай бұрын

Im dopamine sick!

@davidflavin 3 күн бұрын

Tip: get a smart watch that tells you notifications and lets you take calls. It worked amazingly for me. I can leave my phone charging in the other room and feel fine. The watch is limited as to what you can do on it but you don't have the separation anxiety. I got mine for £20 on Amazon.

@tomfisher8028 Ай бұрын

This video was incredible, thank you Cal

@tiaanfourie7115 Ай бұрын

Wow, this question is what I've felt multiple times over the past few weeks. "Deep procrastination" is a cool concept.

@oudekraal7460 Ай бұрын

Sooo helpful today. Also for me If its not too cold a quick dip in the pool is a great way to start work with the reward of getting out of the cold to a comfortable work desk and be wide awake and more. The advice on ritualizing or formalizing the tasks is to make them habitual and not elective.

@honeymoney23 2 ай бұрын

wow this was incredibly helpful. thank you

@cookiemonster2371 Жыл бұрын

I think it will really help me. The implementation will be hard but at least got the plan.

@chouyi007 Ай бұрын

You, Sir, are a genius! I am linking this video to my very successful wife who nonetheless struggles with this type of thing right now. I stumbled upon that "long term goal" method back when I was 15, and that is the single biggest factor in helping me excel academically, professionally, and build the excellent life and family I have today.

@RebeccaRuano Ай бұрын

VERY helpful! I have all these. Thank you for the practical solutions. The way you describe the need to look at the phone 3:45, describes how my brain has been working my whole life: this, over here, that, what’s this, over there, that, now this again… they said it’s ad/hd, but now everyone is experiencing it with the smartphones. I keep my phone plugged in more than half the day. I’m a stay at home-schooling mom. But we can not afford rent and bills anymore. So I need to get to working from home as well. I have set up an eBay corner, to get started. I just keep fighting myself to get started. For years! Just before this video popped up, I said “!!Who am I fighting, anyway?!! I want to do this! Why can I not get myself to get going?!? I’m going to remember again, to do just a little bit, and for just 20 minutes. I could do almost anything if I know it’s over soon, and it’s painless really. Okay. Phone plugged in, getting motivated… 🤔 I could keep making this comment longer. I have deep procrastination as a coping mechanism, it was a default for never getting anything I asked for growing up. I just put off my heart. Anything that could make me feel better, I can do or have that in the future. Putting off the heart. Its long lasting side effects I’m experiencing are what you call deep procrastination. I have become proficient at stalling on what I want, to maintain the peace of the group. Deep procrastination. That sounds like something I could work on. Because I’m exhibiting right now. 😅thank you for this insight. Thank you YT for continuing to help me do better! Actually planning something for the near future is something that has always helped me stay motivated! Thank you for reminding me of that!!!

@Priyanckapaul 2 күн бұрын

Thank you .. this is helpful

@servethesongs Ай бұрын

Priceless info.. thank you!

@IppiopaidFEEDBACK Ай бұрын

This is very informative, some great tools, I learned in this segment. Plus some of them are just common sense, when you go for a walk in the sun is shining on you, it does wonders for your mind and your body. That’s not to mention the change of environment, that’s why it’s so hard for some people to do renovation work on their own house. When you get home, that’s the last thing you want to do, plus you get tired of seeing the same environment. Those same people can work on someone else’s house with no problem whatsoever!

@lawkig 11 күн бұрын

I realised I blurred the lines between work and the other aspects of my life to the point where I ended up doing nothing effectively and even less enjoyably. Creating a healthy separation between them, along with logotherapy and reconnecting with activities that until not so long ago were satisfying and meaningful to me is something I'm in the process of doing to reverse that damage

@TheSaintsVEVO 2 ай бұрын

Regarding dopamine sickness - App companies research & engineer their apps to be as addictive as possible for users. The common person can’t help but be addicted to it

@JohnBrandon Жыл бұрын

Very similar to the remedies for improving executive (dys)function in those with ADHD.

@ClassicJukeboxBand 6 сағат бұрын

I'm glad I found this video...I haven't been motivated lately...

@alexsinquefield6961 2 ай бұрын

This is some great advice!

@_pacalis 2 ай бұрын

I just looked up at my absolute disaster of a home office and realised why its been so hard for me to get work done :-D . Time for a clean up

@1realtruthrightnow742 10 күн бұрын

"Why Can’t I Motivate Myself To Work?" OMG THIS is ME Right now. I struggle literally struggle to get out of bed, get a shower and go to work. It started last year, and its got progressively worse. I'm self employed, and for the last 6 months been living off of my savings, have not taken any jobs. I cannot wait to watch this video, hopefully it fixes me.

@KyleKraus Ай бұрын

I was trying to use my lunch break to go into a forest and bike ride. Doesn't have to be a full hour but that boosted my dopamine while working from home. I can see fish and birds and it's great. The downside could be mosquitoes and cicada noise but I can muscle through the stings.

@bharat5194 10 ай бұрын

Solid advice.

@devinporter532 2 күн бұрын

Appreciate the UP shout-out!

@opal-r2h 21 күн бұрын

Thank you so much

@alexm.9260 Ай бұрын

Cal is so great

@jensohle1785 Жыл бұрын

Great content, concise but rich. Follow your work since Deep Work (my no. 1 self-help book for the current times): Are you sure you are at the right academic place within an IT department? ;-) ... keep up the great work and greeting from Europe!

@erikrummel6277 2 ай бұрын

What made me realize how bad I have this, is that your suggested remedies seemed to shock me at just the thought of doing them. I do so many of the things you mention to a T.

@pstabali7910 23 күн бұрын

Thank you very much ❤

@wannabecarguy Ай бұрын

Before we all had cell phones, I was told that it was going to be a marketing tool for companies to collect data on the user. And the cell phone would be given out free of charge.

@navdeep-soni Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your insights. Is there a way to get these questions in Spotify

@pokechatter Ай бұрын

I’m currently stuck in both. How can I overcome the deep procrastination against trying to change my career situation when I don’t have and have never really had a strong interest in anything that a career could be made out of? How do I, who has never been great at planning or obeying self-initiated control, overcome the dopamine issue when my current painfully boring job still requires me to utilize my phone throughout the day?

@ReflectionOcean 2 ай бұрын

By YouSum Live 00:01:44 Deep procrastination: Inability to start essential tasks. 00:02:01 Dopamine sickness: Overwhelmed by constant distractions. 00:04:05 Reduce task complexity and establish control systems. 00:05:50 Simplify obligations to manage workload effectively. 00:06:29 Connect work to a meaningful long-term vision. 00:08:01 Implement boredom therapy to combat distractions. 00:09:04 Interval training for prolonged focus intervals. 00:09:45 Establish distinct work locations and rituals for focus. By YouSum Live

@TheGoalisSublime 2 ай бұрын

These were good solutions

@Fasthebaker Ай бұрын

Wow this is so me right now

@WikiPeoples 2 ай бұрын

My problem is that I met all my goals and now need to find new ones. But it's not as simple as just finding a new goal. At my age, purpose becomes a driving factor. What goals will give me a sense of purpose? This may be really simple to answer for some but it isn't for me.

@mordy91 2 күн бұрын

I think that what Cal calls ‘dopamine sickness’ is often refered to as ‘dopamine defficiency’ in case you want to look more into this.

@ArvindhCM-fu6tv 2 ай бұрын

nah.. i will finish listening to this podcast later!!!

@andrewbutler95 Ай бұрын

As a native of the lower peninsula of Michigan, I burst out laughing when Cal posed the idea of moving to the upper peninsula of Michigan to do remote work. I thought he was going to say Thailand or some other tropical country!

@andrewrsanchez 21 күн бұрын

‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.’ -- Luke 10.40-42

@brianniac23 2 ай бұрын

I recognized that my whole professional life was a thing to numb my depression … now my career hit a plateau, flow became a luxury and work is not purposeful enough anymore to beat my depression. Replaced my intrinsical motivation for flow, to numb my pain with extrinsic motivation for earning money … which makes me numb. But the wrong way. Flow is basically gone. And work caused mental and bodily harm during covid. And now I can’t find a way to numb myself anymore. Work even makes me more sick. Leading me to more procrastination. With the final destination amygdala hijack … all the time. Just came from a business trip. Wasted 2 days with managerial tomfoolery. Hoped that the plane would crash … but. I am alive. What to do now?

@SwarupKumarKar 2 ай бұрын

Can feel every word you have written. I treat my profession as a diversion from real life as well. I'm searching for a way to be content without working all the time.

@brianniac23 2 ай бұрын

I was today years old when I just stood in front of the fridge and had the epiphany that EVERY success, not just my professional live, was something to numb my pain … and then the cold knife to a bloodstream felt like it could be a nice idea …

@vincewhite5087 2 ай бұрын

A dopamine fast, (from Dopamine National book).

@yiranimal Ай бұрын

There's good in this video. However I'll just add another cause of this problem with low motivation. Sometimes it can be lowered dopamine resulting from immune inflammation in the brain (ask me how I know😀) that leads to this problem with motivation. There has been quite a bit of research into this phenomenon and the experts refer to it as "sickness behaviour syndrome." Some people are prone to experiencing depression and/or loss of motivation while sick or undergoing immune stimulation. One of the ways in which they study this is by giving interferon to mice and then studying their "sickness behaviour." Various cytokines are implicated and some of the downstream effects lower serotonin and dopamine in sensitive individuals. Unfortunately chronic infections and problems with certain toxins can lead to a protracted version of this phenomenon. Long Covid and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be exactly this sort of thing. It's very tough stuff. It's so severe for some that interferon therapy for certain infections or cancer is not an option.

@ANUPAM337 Ай бұрын

I am a PhD student and I have the same work from home issue, I always seem to get more done when I get ready and leave for the library. #RadicalRituals

@GarethJohnson Ай бұрын

All good points. Strange not to mention the possibility of ADHD (which will be linked to dopamine response issues too).

@RudolfJvVuuren Ай бұрын

Maybe he didn't mention it for a reason.

@Skiddoo42 3 сағат бұрын

The missing element in this discussion is loneliness. Loneliness, unsatisfying relationships, rejection, antisocial beliefs... all lead to a state of chronic desparation that most of us solve with our electronic playthings: games, videos, social media temporarily fill the void created by the crippling effects of loneliness. This electronic stimulation has a much greater influence on our behavior than any feelings of pride in work or responsibility to a job or paycheck, even. They automated our workplaces but ruined our personal lives and mental health.

@TheDavidlloydjones Ай бұрын

Singular/plural: One criterion, two or more criteria.

@sribalaji7131 6 ай бұрын

Even i need more dopomine reserved to watch and grasp your contents😂

@georgiosmoukazis564 7 сағат бұрын

I reduced my screen time by over 70% by just disabling the automatic connection of my iPhone to wi fi. The content connectivity is the problem.

@Affalterbach1967 2 күн бұрын

11:05 In 2024, we call this raw dogging.

@mohammedfaizan9198 11 ай бұрын

Hello Cal, Great Content! At the information level it feels and I also understand that it is good, but I am worried of is this: There are people who uses these tools and are creating mobile zombies, and people like you know of it and you also see other destructions being carried out by these technology like fake news, psychological wiring of brain, over-competitiveness and various others, but still the PhD professors consult these companies in the ways they can utilize and create more business. Have you ever thought of these ironical states... Kindly reply and educate me!!! Thanks❤

@RudolfJvVuuren Ай бұрын

Well now you know what's going on (and how to battle it in your life, based on this advice) you don't have to follow the path of becoming a mobile zombie. Even if other people are creating these tools. You can choose to not partake/fight back.

@Dressesndeadlifts8290 Ай бұрын

How does this work for ADHD. Pre-pandemic I had issues but not as bad as they are now and that further increased my anxiety. I hate it and I am completely stuck in fight/flight/freeze - procrastination state - even with having taken proper medications. What do you recommend for someone like me. 🙂?

@joostbankert4250 14 күн бұрын

From someone that is also having a daily ADHD struggle, some things that i noticed to make a difference and lessen the impact of my personal ADHD issues: - meditate daily, even if its one time a day for 10 mins (there are some meditation techniques that work for people with ADHD. I found one that works for which is just staring at a lit candle for 10 mins while focusing on my breathing. - Cold morning showers - Working out in morning, and if not working out, go outside and go for a walk. - Make a to-do list/plan/schedule for the next day and read in the morning, before starting with work or doing something. 3/10 i manage to stick to it most time i dont but its defenitely helpfull and its okay to fail - Any Social media, youtube, internet tv exposure (especially in the first few hours of the day) is like a wind blowing away all your good intentions One last thing i would recommend (i dont like promoting shit), Watch podcasts and videos from Huberman podcast and DR K from Healthy Gamer.

@nebyuyonas1233 2 ай бұрын

nice

@Because_Reasons 10 ай бұрын

"Deep procrastination" just sounds like ADHD. Was diagnosed this year at 40+

@RudolfJvVuuren Ай бұрын

ADHD sounds like "deep procrastination".

@GarethJohnson Ай бұрын

@@RudolfJvVuuren ADHD is a medical condition which has been globally accepted for over 4 decades and is in DSM-5.

@whssavy 4 ай бұрын

wow.

@woltzwurld6760 2 ай бұрын

I planned on commenting 10 months ago, but, you know…….

@huntsail3727 2 ай бұрын

The dopamine issue sounds like issues that have come up with Ted Talks and KZfaq videos. It is my understanding that people are being caught up in looking at one video after another, with no particular goal in mind. Simply, in a sense to keep getting dopamine hits. These videos, reportedly, seem more interesting and exciting than what the alternatives are with respect to doing their work, taking care of pending items, getting things done that need to be done, etc. Is that right?

@hawtenslaton4307 2 ай бұрын

Great insights of what could be happening at this time for most of us post-C~~V~~DD! Amazing how we are not being helped by our government with this important aspect of health. But when it came to SARS-CV-2, they made sure to push hard! How is society/economy going to rebound with people who suffer from this debilitation! We do not get advice on this important mental health issue that is affecting all of us, nor do we get any advice on our health pertaining to eating right, exercise, hydration and sleep!

@labibbidabibbadum Ай бұрын

I can't even watch this without checking my other phone for other stuff.

@MichaelDoornbos 2 ай бұрын

I feel seen.

@Fahodinho Жыл бұрын

dopamine detox could work

@StaringAtWall Жыл бұрын

For people who have fired there dopamine receptor badly they should go with cal's method Full dopamine detox can be very demanding

@lizziebkennedy7505 Ай бұрын

It’s practice difficult, because many of us need to use the internet for our work and for living.

@scott555 27 күн бұрын

"god forbid it's not with me in the bathroom" ... I feel seen

@jrock20859 Ай бұрын

This all has to do with survival and the fact we live in a society with maximum comfort and no real threats. You take the same people and give them a baby, a massive financial opportunity or something that will trigger the need to react to survive or obtain a massive prize and motivations occurs. There's really nothing deeper

@halfcastify 2 ай бұрын

Key Insights 🧠 Deep procrastination is a common issue, especially among students, and can be caused by a lack of intrinsic motivation and the perception of tasks as hard and arbitrary. 😩 Overcoming deep procrastination requires reducing task hardness, simplifying obligations, and connecting work to a bigger purpose or vision. 📵 Dopamine sickness, caused by constant targeted distractions, can make it difficult for the brain to focus on deep work. ⏰ Boredom therapy, such as going on phone-free walks, can help retrain the brain to tolerate periods of boredom and reduce dopamine sickness. 🧘 Interval training with focus, starting with shorter intervals and gradually increasing, can help improve concentration and combat dopamine sickness. 🏢 Creating a separate work location and establishing rituals can help the mind separate work from non-work and enhance motivation and focus.