my strategies for deep work
deep work has undoubtedly changed my life trajectory, and it's one of those skills that can apply to anyone, anywhere. it just takes a little bit of humility and discipline - I promise you that you will receive outsized returns if you implement deep work in your day to day life. I wrote the below as a reminder to self and a mini-guide for anyone interested.
Cal Newport defines deep work as "a state of distraction-free concentration when your brain works at its maximum potential".
when I look back at my life at a high level, I notice that there is a strong correlation between conducting deep work, and a sense of fulfillment. the years that I sat around not doing much on the hedonic treadmill or just through shallow work are some that I almost regret.
I remember in highschool/early university it was almost a flex to have a job where you don't do anything. some old friends still have that same mentality. and that's OK if that's your thing, it just isn't mine. I hold the belief that work is a necessary part of the human experience. I try not to hang out with people who are anti-work since they're largely too pessimistic.
I'm still not perfect with my deep work routine and sometimes my monkey brain will take control - but I know it's a real superpower in a world where everyone is distracted. if you can hone in and really focus, you can accomplish just about anything that you want to.
my techniques:
- set a countdown timer. I usually aim to get ~4 hours of deep work in every single day. when I sit down, I start the countdown. any time I know I am interrupting my deep work session, I'll pause the timer. the goal for each day is to get the timer down to 0.
- blocking out noise
- cut out music while working (I'll sometimes listen to some hip-hop if I'm up late night in a code sesh).
- foam ear plugs + noise cancellation over ear headphones on top. this is a game changer and it's my form of sensory deprivation.
- no slack or email during a deep work session. if you must check them, then do it on the hour, every 30 mins, or every 15 mins. don't fall into the temptation of checking 'just because'
- create space to deep work.
- you will never get any work done if you scatter your meetings around your calendar so you only have a few 30 minute pockets. you need to create empty space in your day to think and work.
- figure out what to work deeply on. be outcome oriented. what will you accomplish in a deep work session? what are you not going to accomplish?
- write down any loose thoughts or tangential ideas you get during your session. try not to jump into rabbit holes (though this is mostly a instinctual decision. sometimes it is necessary, but I found myself doing this far too much)