Deep Work - That's a Wrap!

In reading this book, I learned a lot and and found several things that I can apply to my own life to create meaningful change. I want to first note that the author, Cal Newport, while quite the academic does an excellent job of covering this subject in a manner that everyone can understand and apply to their lives.

Deep work isn't reserved for any one type of person, but is rather a skill set that every single person can learn. Yes, we know it can have a great impact in the workplace but it's also good for the mind, body and spirit. It teaches us to be aware of how we spend our time, to use it for things that are meaningful and have value. In being intentional with time and reserving it for deep work we are in essence committing to ourselves. If we protect our time and avoid giving it away to shallow things then we free ourselves to create time for deep work. Whether you find it by isolating, time blocking, limiting internet and social media or meditating, the deliberate effort to prioritize time for deep work without distraction will have a profound effect. On page 157 it says, "Efforts to deepen your focus will struggle if you don't simultaneously wean your mind from a dependence on distraction". Our distractions (internet, social media, emails, etc) can rob us of living an extraordinary life of purpose. Finding balance is crucial. On page 160, Newport talks about taking an "Internet Sabbath". Taking a break will remind you of all of the life you're missing! Watching endless hours of YouTube will not.

On page 213, it says, "It's crucial that you figure out in advance what you're going to do with your evenings and weekends before they begin". Throughout the book there is a strong underlying message that I think drives deep work. That is, we must control our time and be very deliberate about how/where we spend it. We have a finite amount of time to give and we absolutely must be picky about what we give it to. I'm summarizing but at the conclusion of page 214 the author talks about addictive things that pull our brain away from better alternatives. I was moved by Arnold Bennett's ambitious goal of experiencing what it means to live and not just exist. Too often we operate on auto pilot, just going through the motions of daily life.

So many good take aways in this reading! I will wrap up my thoughts with this final quote on page 255. "Develop the habit of letting small bad things happen. If you don't, you'll never find time for the life-changing big things". Make a choice, decide to be an active participant of managing your time and discover the life you're truly meant to live!!

On to our next book, "Wired That Way" by Marita Littauer. Pick up your copy and join us!

Week Two Deep Work!

Our reading for week two covered pages 72-155. So much to process and take in! Deep work is becoming rare and as such more valuable. The value is not just economic but mental, spiritual and physical. To do deep work requires deliberate effort and commitment to what inspires and drives us. On page 84 it says, “The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limit in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile”. Yes!!! How many times do we hear things like it was so hard but so worth it? The journey is always worth it. It’s our job to put forth the deliberate effort to create the structure needed to learn to do deep work.

Deep work is something everyone can achieve. The way in which we go about it will vary. What works for me may not work for you. But give thought to what your way may be..

Another big takeaway for us was about willpower. When faced with challenges or things that seem hard it’s easy to say, “I have no willpower”. The thing is, we all have willpower, just not an endless supply. On page 100 it says, “ Your will in other words is not a manifestation of your character that you can deploy without limit, it’s instead like a muscle that tires.”. Like anything else, willpower must be used wisely to be most effective in our lives. If we can do that we’ll successfully move past just “good intentions“ to a life filled with results and accomplishments.

At times this section of the reading really challenged me, made me think hard about my own life and the level of effort I make to do deep work. I look forward to challenging myself this year and I’m excited to continue our journey. Next week we finish the book! Pages 156 to 256! Time to dig deep and push ourselves.

We love the idea of building a community of readers that share our goal of building a better life! We‘d love to hear from you as you read these chapters with us.

Deep Work- Week One Update

Week one of reading "Deep Work" we covered chapters 1 and 2: "Deep Work Is Valuable" and "Deep Work Is Rare".

In these first two chapters the author explains how to get a leg up on the competition by learning and implementing Deep Work into your life. The main focus of chapter one is about the advanced technology that we have at our disposal in today's economy. Newport lists the three groups of people that he thinks will thrive in this particular scene: "those who can work well and creatively with intelligent machines, those who are the best at what they do, and those with access to capital." Newport goes on to explain that the third group is likely out of the question for most people and challenges the reader to find a way to fit into one of the other two categories. No doubt this is a difficult task. There are plenty of people who have next to no talent or experience working with intelligent machines, and it's obvious not everyone can be the best at what they do - there can only be one "best". Luckily, you can still succeed in your personal and professional lives by mastering Deep Work.

"To learn requires intense concentration."(pg.34). When was the last time you intensely concentrated on something? Maybe you were studying for a test, maybe you were preparing for a big presentation at work, or maybe you had to focus all of your brain power assembling a piece of Ikea furniture. Whatever it was, I challenge you to really think about it. I know that for myself, it has been quite a long time since I have concentrated on something intensely. Now think about your goals, what do you want to get done this year? This month? This week? Are you willing to take time to learn and concentrate intensely? If you're not then you'll likely fall short of those goals. "If you instead remain one of the many for whom depth is uncomfortable and distraction ubiquitous, you shouldn't expect these systems and skills to come easily to you."(pg.37).

One of the most important things that I read in these first two chapters was on page 48. Newport describes managers of several different businesses who claim that their value comes from their ability to help their teams. "They see their role as enabling others' productivity, not necessarily protecting their own.". How true is this in your life? Are you putting others needs ahead of your own? It can be a hard habit to break, I struggle with it myself. A requirement for living your best life is learning how to put yourself first. This doesn't make you selfish, and there are ways to do so without leaving the people in your life in the dust. Make sure you do something for yourself today.

The last thing I want to touch on from these opening chapters is the idea of "Busyness as a Proxy for Productivity" found on page 64. Newport explains that when an occupation lacks the obvious indicators of productivity, employees will often find meaningless things to occupy their time - and do so in a way that they are seen by others - in order to appear productive. Does this sound like you? It's a tough trap to avoid. The obvious truth is that this kind of work is not deep and it will not advance you in any way. Take some time to think about how you can cut this kind of behavior out of your day. Consider the ways that you can make your work meaningful. Don't be busy just for the sake of being busy.

Please share your thoughts in the comments below if you're reading along with us. Do you agree with some of our thoughts? Did we leave anything out that you found to be important? Let us know!

Next week's update will cover chapter 3 as well as rule #1 from part two of the book: pages 72-155. Make today a great day. See you next week!