Deep Work | How To Be More Focused
What is deep work ?
The concept was coined by Cal Newport, a renowned author and computer science professor at Georgetown University, and expanded upon in his 2016 bestselling book, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. By Newport’s definition, Deep work refers to:
“Professional activity 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.”
Have you ever been so immersed in an activity that you just seem to be one with the moment? Time skips by and you are at zen with the magic that flows from your physical being. You feel you are getting a lot done and in fact, you know you are getting a lot done. This is what Cal Newport calls Deep work.
Deep Work vs. Shallow Work
Newport further introduces Shallow Work as :
“Non-cognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. These efforts tend to not create new value in the world and are easy to replicate.”
You probably experienced both modes of work but shallow work is usually the prevailing mode because it’s so easy to fall into it.
Shallow work are the tasks that have the potential to catch you in a time trap and in turn distances you from your core competencies. Leaving a limited amount of time for the more fulfilling & meaningful Deep work. The real problem with shallow work is distraction. Emails, pings, meetings and tool notifications create a series of small, inconsequential tasks that stop us from focusing for extended periods of time on high-priority valuable work. By hopping between these shallow tasks, we end the day feeling like we’ve worked hard with little to actually show for it. We haven’t necessarily learned or achieved anything new.
Now, as we have got the clear understanding of Deep Work & Shallow Work , we are ready to move for our second segment.
How To Be More Focused
To dive into the state of deep work we have to adopt following tactics to minimize distraction and cultivate a deep focused routine :
Step 1: Schedule time for deep work
Reclaiming your focus means exercising control over your schedule. Start blocking out sections & time of week for your deep work. How you do it is completely up to you. Some prefer to alternate between sessions of deep work and shallow work on a single day, while others will block out multiple days in a row in order to achieve serious concentration.
Step 2: Create a distraction-free environment
Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, from phones to co-workers to relatives—and you’re going to want to get rid of them all! Make sure you have a clear and calm environment that facilitates deep concentration. Pick any task and put aside two hours to that task. Just focus on that task for at least two hours. If the internet is a problem for you, switch off your phone and disconnect your laptop. Train yourself to acknowledge and resist your distractive tendencies. Just like a craftsman treats a tool, consider using social media only if supports your goals.
Step 3: Embrace rest and relaxation
Deep work isn’t just about cutting out distractions, It’s also about getting an adequate rest and turning up to work refreshed and relaxed. Long stretches of intense concentration should be balanced with quality rest. It’s important to give your body and brain time to recuperate. Instead, spend your free time exploring your hobbies or focusing on your family and friends.
Step 4 : Fulfill your requirements
After a few sessions of focused work, you’ll learn what you require to support your commitment to deep work. This may include a specific type of music, your favorite beverage, or access to specific software. Always have everything you need before diving in.
Step 5 : Assess how you did
Did you achieve what you promised yourself ( “read X number of pages” or “write X number of words” etc ) you would ? Take an unforgiving stance on this – deep work can unlock new levels of productivity, so if you’re not getting enough out of it reassess your approach. Track how you spent your time and keep a score of how many deep work hours you’ve spent to create a sense of progress
Why Deep work helps in establishing focus
Deep work prevents attention residue. Attention residue is distraction caused by lingering thoughts, conscious and otherwise. In other words, when you transition from one task to another, your focus doesn’t fully transition in tandem. Part of your attention stays stuck with the last activity. So working deeply facilitates an optimal state of consciousness in which you feel and perform at your best.
Final Takeaways
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a personal assistant to take all the mundane tasks off your hands, doing some shallow work is inevitable. Emails need to be replied to, updates need to be communicated, invoices and timesheets need to be completed. So while you can’t remove this aspect of work entirely, you need to be mindful of how much space you dedicate to it. Deep work is more than just a set of good habits. It’s a skill that needs to be learned. It requires practice over time to develop this skill. . Deep work surely helps in achieving Profound Focus but think of it as your first encounter ; a test of your attention, self-control and exploratory abilities. You’ll probably learn something unexpected about yourself along the way.
For more insights : Read ” Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World ” ( https://amzn.to/3KBHyJq )
Read also : 5 Life-lessons from Kung Fu Panda ( https://thebrightdelights.com/5-life-lessons-from-kung-fu-panda/ )