Deep work

What is Deep Work?

A powerful concept by Cal Newport, Deep Work highlights the value of focused, undistracted work in an increasingly distracted world.

💡 Key Ideas from Deep Work

• High quality work = time spent X intensity.
  There's no point working longer without focusing.
  
  

• High performers all have a focus window without any distractions.
  
  

• Our brain has a background task management that works when we don't.
  The more we do, the more distracted we are. Do 1 thing well.
  
  

• People use 'being busy' to pretend they're productive.
  
  

• Your world is the outcome of what you pay attention to.
  Focus on a single deep task to avoid drifting towards shallow/shitty events.
  
  

• Inspiration doesn't strike randomly – it arises from constraints and execution.
  
  

• Taking time off is crucial.
  That's how:
  
  

  1. Good ideas come
     
     

  2. The brain background process fixes stuff
     
     

  3. The brain rests for better work later
     
     

• To avoid work thoughts after work (i.e., at night), have an end-work routine:
  Schedule unfinished tasks for another day.
  Don't close your computer without it — otherwise the brain background process will never stop thinking.
  
  

• Concentration is a muscle.
  It improves with practice but reduces when you lose focus.
  
  

• Have a no-internet baseline, and schedule a timeframe to go online.
  No internet allowed outside.
  
  

• Your mind thinks all the time but mostly garbage — you have to tell it what to focus on.
  
  

• Every tool provides a gain. But it's a trade-off.
  The point isn't to add more, but to add only what's necessary.
  
  

• Schedule focus activity on free time to avoid being drowned into the addictive charm of the internet.
  
  

• Schedule every hour of your day to avoid being drowned into shallow activities.
  
  

• Become harder to reach.
  
  

✍️ Final Thoughts

This summary captures the core of Deep Work. Mastering focus is the key to thriving in a noisy world. If you’re someone who wants to level up your productivity, this book is worth reading in full.