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

Calvin C. Newport.. BA from Dartmouth, M.S. with a Ph.D. from MIT. Seems quiet the author, but do not be intimidated with his knowledge as this read is simplified and sweet.

I travelled miles on this book via Audible with this 2016 beauty, the idea being Deep Work, a term he coined which entails studying for focused chunks of time without distractions such as email and social media.

A belief Cal has noted that participation in social media is detrimental to future health and career progression.

Bullet pointed are a couple of favourited segments, but will let you find your own journey with the masterpiece.

The monastic approach. Monastic comes from monastery – the place where monks live. It means shutting yourself off completely, for example by climbing a mountain to a hut to write your latest essay, and not coming back until it is finished.

The bimodal approach. This prioritise’s deep work more than everything else. You could set a 4-6 hour block each day for deep work, for example, where you lock yourself in your office, similar to the monastic approach. However, once that block is over, you’re free to do everything else that might be on your plate.

The rhythmic approach. This cuts down your work into time blocks, and uses a calendar to track your progress. For example you’d plan the week ahead of time and put 10 blocks of 90 minutes on your calendar, and make working with timed blocks a habit.

The journalistic approach. If you have a busy daily routine, this works well. What you do is to simply dedicate any, unexpected free time to deep work.

In a nutshell, phone down, get to work.

Reward yourself when the time comes.

SBG