Mike has a new Apple device despite his minimizing efforts and Joe has finally done something about his email issue.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at http://joebuhlig.com/7-deep-work-by-cal-newport/
Mike has a new Apple device despite his minimizing efforts and Joe has finally done something about his email issue.
Hi,
For those interested, hereβs my outline of this great book.
Introduction
Deep Work Definition:
Professional activities 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.
Shallow Work Definition:
Non-cognitively 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.
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.
Part 1: The Idea
Deep Work is Valuable
Three groups having a particular advantage. β How to Become a Winner in the New Economy. β Deep Work helps you quickly learn hard things. β Deep Work helps you produce at an Elite level. β Counterexample of success without deep work.
Deep Work is Rare
The Metric Black Hole. β The Principle of Least Resistance. β Busyness as Proxy for Productivity. β Internet-centrism and technopoly.
Deep Work is Meaningful
A Neurological Argument for Depth. β A Psychological Argument for Depth. β A Philosophical Argument for Depth.
Part 2: Rules
Rule #1: Work Deeply
Depth Approaches: Monastic philosophy / Bimodal philosophy / Rhythmic philosophy / Journalistic philosophy. β Ritualize. β Make Grand Gestures. β Donβt Work Alone. β Execute Like a Business: Focus on the Wildly Important / Act on the Lead Measures / Keep a Compelling Scoreboard / Create a Cadence of Accountability. β Be Lazy. β Downtime Aids Insights. β Downtime Helps Recharge the Energy Needed to Work Deeply. β The Work That Evening Downtime Replaces Is Usually Not That Important
Rule #2: Embrace Boredom
Donβt Take Breaks from Distraction. Instead Take Breaks from Focus. β Working with Great Intensity (like Teddy Roosevelt). β Meditate Productively: Be Wary of Distractions and Looping / Structure Your Deep Thinking. β Memorize a Deck of Cards.
Rule #3: Quit Social Media
The Craftsman Approach to Tool Selection. β The Law of the Vital Few, or 80/20. β Quit Social Media. β Donβt Use the Internet to Entertain Yourself.
Rule #4: Drain the Shallows
Schedule Every Minute of Your Day. β Quantify the Depth of Every Activity. β Ask Your Boss for a Shallow Work Budget. β Finish Your Work by Five Thirty, or Fixed-schedule productivity. β Become Hard to Reach.
Nice work! This is similar to how we try to cover a book.