Deep Work - the book in 60 seconds

Part 1: is Deep Work important? Yes. Very.

In Newport's words
The Deep Work Hypothesis.
Deep work is becoming increasingly valuable at the same time that it’s becoming increasingly rare. Therefore, if you cultivate this skill, you’ll thrive.
Deep Work (or Flow state) habit is:
  • high effort
  • demands high levels of energy and focus for execution
  • requires good forethought
  • conflicts with the ever more distracting world (web 2.0)
  • high reward
  • makes you standout
  • results in consistent productivity
  • improves your mental health and your relationship with technology and people
If you want to be really successful at any non-trivial missions/pursuits in life
Then you have to figure out how to form and keep a habit of deep work

Part 2: How do I get started? Few suggested strategies.

The book proposes the following strategies to get you started:

Ritualize

  • Find your ritual to enter and stay in Deep Work state
  • Find your style of Deep Work ( 4 min. Verbal to Visual YT video )

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Embrace boredom

  • Make Deep Work your default. Take breaks to multi-task and context-switch over the less relevant high-stimuli/low-value tasks.
  • Leave time for downtime (no high-stimuli input) and for the  unconscious thoughts .

Reduce distractions and shallow work overall

  • Disconnect during Deep Work shifts.
  • Schedule and re-schedule your day.
  • Reduce connectivity even outside deep work.