Book Review: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

This was another one of those books that I should have read years ago, but I am glad I finally got to it. It is an appropriate book to read at the beginning of 2019. Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, has been a book of focus on a number of podcasts that I have listened to. Newport has also appeared in The Chronicle Review with his article, “Is Email Making Professors Stupid?” If you do not believe you are producing meaningful work, then you need to read Deep Work.

Deep Work is 263 pages. In addition to an introduction, conclusion, and notes, it has two major parts: The Idea and The Rules. The Idea consists of three chapters which focus on the essence of deep work. There are also four rules for making deep work possible.

The Idea

Newport highlighted the importance of working distraction-free as a way to increase productivity. He noted the work habits of some prolific figures to include Carl Jung, Mark Twain, Woody Allen, J.K. Rowling, and Bill Gates to name a few. Each of these individuals would seek out solace in order to do their work.

“The reason knowledge workers are losing their familiarity with deep work is well established: network tools” (Newport, 2016, p. 5).

Network tools contribute to distractions or as Newport defined it, shallow work. Shallow work adds very little to benefit society. On the other hand, deep work requires a greater cognitive effort and leads to substantial improvement that is difficult to replicate.

Deep work is not something that one just does without practice. Deep work is a skill that must be developed and exercised. With this skill, one can learn to do many other things with greater ease.

Newport stressed the importance to create time to simply focus on one endeavor. Through the use of storytelling, he provided ample examples for the importance of deep work and how others achieved it. He also used himself as a case study to highlight how he increased his academic productivity as a university student and professor. I have recognized when I apply deep work principles to my work, my productivity skyrockets and my overall disposition is better at the end of the day. On the other hand, when I am involved in a lot of shallow work, my day is not as rewarding. For this reason, I have been more conscious to stay off the socials for most of the day.

In chapter two, Newport outlined why deep work was so rare. The work environment rewards the appearance of being productive rather than the end product. All around me, I see individuals distracted by smartphones during meetings and planning sessions. Everything else seems to be more important. Newport noted that email is a particular distraction. I have made it a habit to turn off my email for significant portions of the day. To be busy does not mean you are productive.

The Rules

Newport shared four rules for deep work. These rules are

1. Work deeply
2. Embrace boredom
3. Quit social media
4. Drain the shallows

In each of these rules, Newport offered strategies to be more successful. He used examples from countless people to highlight his points.

I believe Deep Work piggybacks nicely off of Atomic Habits. Newport also stressed the importance of developing habits and rituals to help find time and focus to work deeply. He shared different scheduling options that can be used for deep work. He emphasized that it is up to the individual to find a system that works. Additionally, Newport advocated for keeping track of success.

Just as important as productivity, one also needs to recharge through relaxation. It is not possible to keep running like an energizer bunny. This is something I need to get better at.

According to Newport, boredom is a disrupter to productivity. When we are bored, we tend to satisfy our needs with shallow activities such as social media or checking email. We must train to accommodate boredom. You must “schedule in advance when you’ll use the Internet, and then avoid it altogether outside these times” (Newport, 2016, p. 161). Block time to focus as well as to attend to shallow work.

One of the greatest time and productivity sucks is the internet. As I am trying to knock out more and more important projects, I am realizing how true this is. It is tough to give it up. Companies like Facebook and Twitter used the best science to make it as addicting as possible. Newport’s approach to social media is to use it if the tool helps you accomplish your primary goals, otherwise, sever the ties.

In the chapter about draining the shallows, Newport suggested strategies for determining how productive your day was as well as strategies for scheduling your day to be more productive. He also provided useful techniques for battling the email monster.

I will be going back through my notes to put some of these ideas into practice.

I also learned more about the H-index. I have an H-index of 3. It is time for me to do some deep work to raise my standing in the academic world.

If you are interested in increasing your level of productivity or want to learn a new skill then deep work is your key. I cannot think of a better book to help you get on the right path than Deep Work by Cal Newport. By the way, as I write this post, Cal Newport has an H-index of 28. His deep work is paying off.

Additional Reading

• Book Review: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
• Book Review: The Compound Effect

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