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!