Breaking down the infamous 'Deep Work'

Author

Jessica Ruppert
November 26, 2023

Welcome to The Productivity Blueprint newsletter šŸ—žļø

Before we dive into this issue, letā€™s all take the mindful moment to take a few deep breaths and clear our minds.

How did this feel now, and over the past week? Did our challenge help you face your procrastinating tendencies?! For me, I think it helped with my overall intention for that task at hand, but I need to work on my awareness around tasks I tend to procrastinate on still.

If you missed last week, you can catch up here šŸ™‚

Today, letā€™s take a closer look at deep work. Youā€™ve probably all heard about it, but letā€™s learn exactly what is is and how we can all become ā€˜deep workersā€™.

"Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task."

Cal Newport : Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

If you've ever found yourself easily distracted or struggling to accomplish your tasks efficiently, this article is a must-read.

It introduces the concept of deep work, which involves immersing yourself completely in a task without distractions. One powerful message from the article is that deep work isn't just about getting more done; it's about doing your best work. It empowers you to master complex tasks, generate innovative ideas, and accomplish your goals more efficiently.

Let's break it down into a personal, actionable plan that you can apply in your own life.

  • Make deep work, those focused, distraction-free work sessions, a top priority in your daily routine.

  • Develop pre-work routines like goal-setting or quick meditation to signal your brain that it's time to concentrate.

  • Organize your day by scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks, especially deep work.

  • Turn off notifications, block social media, and use website blockers during deep work sessions.

  • Find a quiet spot to work without interruptions, declutter your workspace, and consider noise-cancelling headphones or calming music to boost concentration.

  • Gradually extend the duration of your deep work sessions to build your capacity to tackle more challenging tasks.

In a world full of distractions, deep work can be your game-changer. But I know it may also feel out of reach. Start slowly, with small periods, using these tips ā€” and build from there.

With time, you will begin to feel the power of deep work for yourself.

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What we love: The reminder to ā€˜prepare your focusā€™! Make sure your deep work ritual and environment is ready to go šŸ™Œ

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What we love: We absolutely love its soundscape customization. You can mix and match different sounds like rainfall, forest ambiance, and even a gentle thunderstorm to create your perfect background environment for your deep work sessions.

šŸ’” Deep Work Dive

Dedicate one hour each day to deep work. Minimize distractions during this hour. Immerse yourself in a high-value, non-interruptible task. Track your accomplishments and assess the impact of deep work.

We hope you all enjoyed learning more about deep work! Looking forward to hearing how the challenge goes for everyone next week.

Until then,

The Productivity Blueprint Team