Episode 37: So Good They Can't Ignore You

February 02, 2021 by Aidan Dennehy in University, Productivity

Has anyone ever told you that if you want to truly be happy, you should follow your passions? How would you feel if I told you that following your passions is a terrible idea? What does it even mean to have a ‘Good Job‘? How do you actually earn a ‘Good Job‘?

In this episode the humans discuss Cal Newport’s So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love. Touching on how to find a job you actually enjoy, how to actually get said job, and the mindsets you’ll need along the way.

Standard Humans is hosted by Aidan Dennehy and Evan.

Shownotes:

So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

calnewport.com Cal Newport’s website

Instead of ‘finding your passion,’ try developing it, Stanford scholars say by Stanford News

Implicit Theories of Interest: Finding Your Passion or Developing It? by Carol Dweck

CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

HarvardX's Computer Science for Web Programming Professional Certificate

Scratch Programming Language

10 Most Useful Programming Languages

Episode 33: The 5am Club

Derek Sivers

Utilitarianism

Virtue Theory

Episode 36: How to Prepare for a New Semester

January 19, 2021 by Aidan Dennehy in University, Productivity

The way you start your semester sets the tone for the rest of the term. Are you ready for the next one?

In this episode the humans figure out the best tricks for starting a semester strong. Covering how to set up your schedule, how to get your health in order, when you should buy the textbooks (Or if you should ever buy them), how to get your productivity systems in order, and much more.

Standard Humans is hosted by Aidan Dennehy and Evan.

Shownotes:

Podcast episodes for getting your health in order:

A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra) by Barbara Oakley PhD

How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country's Top Students by Cal Newport

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Episode 26: How to WIN at College/University

August 25, 2020 by Aidan Dennehy in University

How to Win at College by Cal Newport is Aidan’s Number One recommendation for post-secondary students. It’s concise, clear, personable, and chock full of actionable tips such as:

Drop a class every semester
Don’t do all your readings
Never pull an all-nighter
Do one thing better than anyone else you know
Don’t study in groups

If you want to get straight A’s and have a thriving social life this book is for you. In this episode of Standard Humans the humans discuss the most surprising tips Newport came up with. Discussing how they use them in their own studies and what they want to implement this semester.

Standard Humans is hosted by Aidan Dennehy and Evan.

Shownotes:

How to Win at College by Cal Newport

How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport

How to be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

Axios Today - Daily News Podcast

The Indicator - Daily Economics Podcast

Circle of Control

Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker

Episode 21: When is it Time to Quit your School Clubs?

June 02, 2020 by Aidan Dennehy in University

Feeling overwhelmed by your commitments? Unsure about taking on another leadership position? Want to know the questions you can ask to make sure your extra-curriculars are still right for you? Deciding what to do with your time is hard, but there are a few things you can do to help make the decision.

In this episode, the humans discuss Aidan’s latest epiphanies on the purpose of extra-curriculars. The reasons you should do them and how to tell when you need to step away. Hint: They’re not just for your resume and your social connections shouldn’t all be utilitarian. Weird right?

Standard Humans is hosted by Aidan Dennehy and Evan.

Shownotes:

SH16: How to Get your Schoolwork Done by 4:30pm

SH 11: Prioritization and Learning to say NO

The Science of Well-Being Online Course by Yale

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Toastmasters International

Indistractable Android Launcher

Cold Turkey Application Blocker Aidan uses

Binder Planning System Aidan is using right now

Duolingo: Looks like you Missed your Spanish Lesson

Episode 16: How to Get your Schoolwork Done by 4:30pm

March 17, 2020 by Aidan Dennehy in Productivity, University

Most of this podcast should be common sense. You’ll never accomplish anything if you don’t take the time needed to do it.

Unfortunately, the smartest people in the world are actively against you here. They want your clicks, views, likes, and watch time. That doesn’t sound so bad on the surface, but you have to remember that time is a zero-sum game: Any time you spend doing mediocre work or mindlessly browsing is time you aren’t using to get important stuff done or relax your mind. Luckily there is a solution: Deep Work.

Cal Newport defines Deep Work as:

“Professional activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.”

Deep Work is the only way to work, study, practice, or perform. This episode discusses specific strategies to carve the time out of your day and remove distractions so you can do Deep Work. As always, we’ve got general strategies as well as a few designed just for students. Strategies both Evan and Aidan have implemented in their lives since recording this episode that changed the way they do work forever.

Standard Humans is hosted by Aidan Dennehy and Evan.

Sponsors:

Audible. Support the show by listening to great books for free for 30 days. After 30 days get 1 credit per month. Keep your books forever, even if you cancel. Get 30% off additional audiobooks. Easy exchange process, swap any audiobook you don’t love.

Amazon. Support the show by buying products you were already going to buy. All the links to Amazon below are sponsored links that give Standard Humans a commission on the sale. You pay the same great price so use one of the links to let Amazon know you came from us.