Book Summary: Deep Work by Cal Newport

Of all the books I've read this year, this one is my favourite so far. Concisely written with actionable advice, I loved it! Writing this summary so I can come back and read it when I need a quick reminder. Here a few core concepts from the book and tips that were my favourite:

What is Deep Work?

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

What is Shallow Work?

Non-cognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. These efforts tend to not create much new value in the world and are easy to replicate.

The Deep Work Hypothesis:

The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill, will thrive.

The Rules: Actionable Advice

Rule 1: Work Deeply

1. Have a routine or rituals that minimize the amount of your limited willpower, and allow you to remain in a state of concentration. Eg: Set your where (quiet place with no distractions) and how (no internet or switch off phone).

2. Eliminate and radically minimize shallow obligations. Eg: Say no when possible to committing time and energy.

3. Divide your time, dedicating clearly defined stretches to deep work. Eg: 5am - 7am every day.

4. Make a grand gesture or radical change in your environment. Eg: Booking a hotel room to work on your thesis.

Rule 2: Embrace Boredom

1. Don't take breaks from distraction. Take breaks from focus. Eg: Have Internet blocks.

2. Work with great intensity. Eg: Have self-imposed deadlines that force you to focus intently.

3. Focus on a problem when you are occupied physically but not mentally. Eg: Writing out an essay in your mind while running.

Rule 3: Quit Social Media

1. Only use tools that bring actual value to you. Recognize that social media fragments your concentration and affects your ability to work deeply.

2. Identify main high level goals in your professional and personal life. Then list how you will achieve them. Check if social media tools have a substantially positive impact, substantially negative impact or no impact on helping you achieve your goals.

Rule 4: Drain the Shallows

1. Schedule every minute of your day. This will help you track how much time you spend on shallow vs deep work.

2. Have a shallow work budget. Eg: You want spend 40% of your time on shallow work and 60% on deep work.

3. Finish your work by five-thirty. Committing to a time means that you will be cautious and mindful of how you spend your time working.

4. Increase the bar for access to your time and attention.

My Thoughts

I think all of us can pinpoint to at least one moment in our lives where we were so engrossed in our work that we didn't even realize how much time had passed. I personally love that feeling of intense and deep concentration. I love it even more when I have something to show for it at the end of the session. This book didn't need to convince me on the benefits of deep working at all, I personally have experienced it and know deep down that it's good for me. What this book does for me, is that it teaches me how to be more consistent in my pursuit of deep work. I love that the author gives such actionable advice. I also love that there is also room to ponder, to take what works for me and to leave what doesn't.