14/08/2021
We are glad to share the second part of the key points and insights from Cal Newpot's book DEEP WORK
PRACTICE 1 : PLAN OUT TIME FOR DEEP WORK
After explaining what DEEP WORK is and why it is essential, Newport explains different ways to make it stick to our lives as a habit. The first step is to crave some time out of daily chores to dedicate for your DEEP WORK. Newport warns that it is difficult to will yourself to DEEP WORK on demand. An effective way to make yourself stick to it is to form a practiced ritual.
THE 4 TYPES OF DEEP WORK
If you make a ritual for your deep work, you no longer have to employ your willpower to overcome distraction. To be successful at doing deep work for the long run, you have to try different schedules that fit your lifestyle and needs. Newport shares four different work schedules, each with distinct time requirements and efficacy.
SCHEDULE TYPE 1 : SECLUSION (ISOLATION)
Remove as much shallow work ( your unimportant task ) as possible from your life. Spend nearly all your allocated time on deep work. The advantage of this kind of schedule is that you give the most attention to your work to make it more productive. However, this isn't feasible for everyone, given that their daily life is fully packed with other meaningful work.
SCHEDULE TYPE 2 : PERIODIC
Crave out days, weeks, months, or the entire part of the year to focus on deep work. Newport stresses that the deep work should be at least one full day to reach the maximum intensity of the deep work. It's possible to go on deep work for a few hours daily, but those hours won't be at the intensity you would achieve in a full day of deep work. Despite its convenience, it is impractical for people who have to do certain chores daily.
SCHEDULE TYPE 3 : DAILY
Set aside a regular block of time each day to focus on deep work. The regularity of the schedule is convenient and fit for many lifestyles and careers. However, unlike seclusion and periodic, you can't reach your maximum focus potential.
SCHEDULE TYPE 4 :
Find some time to do deep work whenever you can get it. For instance, when on a trip with your family, carve out a few hours to do work before joining them for activities. This is the most flexible schedule. You can do deep work at any point when possible. But, because it is irregular, it is the least successful in setting up a habit. It requires the ability to switch on deep work instantaneously.