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"The Deep Work Hypothesis: The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill, and then make it the core of their working life, will thrive." Cal Newport.
Paul Fabritz, better known as PJF Performance (NBA weights coach) recommended this book to his audience.
And I'm very glad he did.
This book showed me how horrible my ability to concentrate is.
In an age of distractions and quick dopamine hits.
Could the skill of creating 'deep work' be the secret to success?
Cal Newton explores the ability to do 'deep work' through the lens of a computer scientist and professor at the University of Georgetown.
He uses examples such as;
Bill Gates's creation of Microsoft through months of intense deep work.
Or Carl Jung's (psychiatrist and psychoanalyst0 hidden study home that he used to create world-changing theories.
A compelling argument is made that the ability to focus deeply for a long period of time is what creates great work.
Newton also states that deep work leads to an overall satisfying and rewarding life.
What is deep work:
"Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It’s a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time."
Reflecting on my own career.
I agree with Newport on the value he puts in 'deep work.'
All athletes improve at different speeds.
Why?
From my personal experience:
Athletes who have an extreme focus while training improves at a higher rate than athletes who don't.
It's beneficial to enter 'deep work' while working out.
Compare this to the athlete who is playing around, going on their phone, or dancing to music.
The difference adds up.
Deep work improves our cognitive function and our ability to learn new skills.
The book outlines 4 rules for creating a life with deep work.
Here they are.
1. Work Deeply
To create a life of deep work.
You have to start practicing working deeply.
So simple haha.
Here is how to get started:
Set aside 30-minute blocks of dedicated time
Create a distraction-free area
Build the habit of deep work daily
Newport also talks about doing something extravagant in preparation for deep work.
This forces your mind to get to work.
He tells the story of JK Rowling struggling to finish the last Harry Potter.
She had to find deep work.
Rowling rented out an expensive hotel room and didn’t leave it until the book was finished.
That will create deep work.
"To produce at your peak level you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction."
2. Embrace Boredom
Our lives are filled with easy stimulation.
People have their phones on them 24/7.
You have to learn to embrace being bored.
Go to the toilet with no phone.
Let your mind wander and imagine.
Don’t constantly seek out stimuli to entertain yourself.
These habits increase your ability to enter deep work.
A distracted life creates distracted work.
It is a skill that is either being lost or trained your entire life.
"The ability to concentrate intensely is a skill that must be trained."
3. Quit social media
Now you don’t need to go completely incognito.
But Cal Newport recommends controlling and limiting your usage.
Yes, social media has its advantages.
But he argues those advantages come at a greater cost.
Friendship and community can be found in greater reward elsewhere.
Deep learning and study are more rewarding on other platforms.
Social media is placing a bigger strain on your ability to concentrate than you realize.
Newport suggests only using social media mindfully.
"The concept of the deep life is not an aspiration, something you could do if only you were a little more organized or better at time management. It’s a condition to which you must first become dedicated, and then protect with your life."
4. Drain the Shallows
I enjoyed this part of the book the most.
Eliminate as much shallow work as possible.
"Shallow work is noncognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. These efforts tend not to create much new value in the world and are easy to replicate."
Pointless emails.
Useless team meetings.
Organizing files and paperwork.
Non-important exercises
Social media.
Limit it all.
Become intentional about how you spend your time.
Being busy doesn’t mean you are being productive.
"Busyness as Proxy for Productivity: In the absence of clear indicators of what it means to be productive and valuable in their jobs, many knowledge workers turn back toward an industrial indicator of productivity: doing lots of stuff in a visible manner."
Conclusion:
I really enjoyed this book.
It gave me the gift of awareness.
I am no good at creating deep work situations outside of basketball.
In the future I will add;
1hr of deep work a day
No phone or internet in deep work mode
1hr of social media a day
Mindfully spend time on my phone
Go for walks
These are some key takeaways that I'll be implementing into my life.
I would recommend the read.
Especially if you find yourself struggling to put down the phone and get to work.
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed this.
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Have a great day.