Book Review: Deep Work

One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare.

Photo by Saurav Thapa Shrestha on Unsplash

Deep Work is focusing without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by the author on his popular blog study hacks, deep work will make you better at what you do, let you achieve more in less time, and provide the true fulfillment that comes from mastering a skill. In short deep work is like a superpower in our increasingly competitive economy.

Cal Newport is a clear voice in a sea of noise, bringing science and passion in equal measure — Seth Godin, author of Linchpin

Short Summary of the Book

• Deep work is focusing without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It is a skill that is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy, as more and more jobs require the ability to focus and concentrate.
• Deep work allows us to produce better work, learn new things more quickly, and be more creative. It also allows us to achieve a state of flow, which is a state of intense focus where we are completely immersed in our work.

How to develop deep work skills Newport identifies four “rules” for deep work:

• Work on things that matter: Newport argues that we should focus our deep work on tasks that are important and meaningful to us.
• Eliminate distractions: This means minimizing our exposure to email, social media, and other distractions.
• Batch your work: Newport recommends grouping similar tasks and working on them in blocks of time.
• Build the habit of deep work: This means practicing deep work regularly and making it a part of our routine.

Major benefits of applying Deep Work rules in our life:

• Increased productivity
• Improved learning
• Increased creativity
• Reduced stress
• Increased satisfaction

How to overcome the challenges of deep work There are several challenges to deep work, including:

• Our attention spans are shorter than ever before.
• We are constantly bombarded with distractions.
• We have a culture of busyness.

Conclusion:

Deep work is a valuable skill that is becoming increasingly important in our economy. If you want to be more productive, creative, and satisfied with your work, I highly recommend reading Deep Work by Cal Newport.

Happy reading :)