Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport.
3/5 rating. 263 pages.
Book #10 of 2021. Read January 29, 2021.
Cal discusses the importance of “deep work” in excelling in our new, knowledge economy.
Cal defines deep work as: “Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit.”
In a world that seems to be shifting to ever more “shallow work” through the ubiquity of email, instant messaging, and social media, the workers who can do deep work will be the ones who will be the most successful and likely thought-leaders in our world.
I thought that this book’s premise was incredibly important and absolutely agree that going deep in order to think of new ideas, and thrive in both the personal and business realm are keys to success. Cal does talk about some great tactics in order to access deep work more often and more easily. In all, though, I think that the idea behind the book is much better than the book itself.
All of the below are great quotes:
“To produce at your peak level you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction.”
“Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.”
“Who you are, what you think, feel, and do, what you love – is the sum of what you focus on.” – Winifred Gallagher
In all just realize that you need to take upwards of 4 hours per day to yourself and use them to think deep thoughts without distractions instead of taking the time to read the actual book.
Additional Quotes:
“A deep life is a good life.”
“Men of genius themselves were great only by bringing all their power to bear on the point on which they had decided to show their full measure.” – Antonin-Dalmace Sertillanges
“To learn hard things quickly, you must focus intensely without distraction.”
“By skillfully managing their attention, they improved their world without changing anything concrete about it.”
“I’ll choose my targets with care…then give them my rapt attention. In short, I’ll live the focused life, because it’s the best kind there is.” – Winifred Gallagher
“They elaborate that execution should be aimed at a small number of ‘wildly important goals.’”
“Identify the core factors that determine success and happiness in your professional and personal life. Adopt a tool only if its positive impacts on these factors substantially outweigh its negative impacts.”
“Put more thought into your leisure time.”
“When you have fewer hours you usually spend them more wisely.” – Jason Fried
“I, too, am incredibly cautious about my use of the most dangerous word in one’s productivity vocabulary: ‘yes.’”
“But if you’re willing to sidestep these comforts and fears, and instead struggle to deploy your mind to its fullest capacity to create things that matter, then you’ll discover, as others have before you, that depth generates a life rich with productivity and meaning.”
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