Deep Work — Cal Newport

Summary in 15 minutes. The ability to concentrate without a break is getting rarer every day. That is exactly why it is worth more. Not everyone’s life looks the same, so neither does the route to deep work. Newport describes four approaches, plus one big tactic. Newport’s four rules for turning deep work into a daily habit. Making room for deep work among emails, meetings and your boss’s expectations. You’ve read the book. Now it’s time to take back your attention.

Key ideas of "Deep Work"

The Value of Deep Work

The ability to concentrate without a break is getting rarer every day. That is exactly why it is worth more.

1. Deep Work vs Shallow Work: Two kinds of work, two kinds of results
2. The New Superpower: Learning fast and producing at an elite level

The Philosophies of Deep Work

Not everyone’s life looks the same, so neither does the route to deep work. Newport describes four approaches, plus one big tactic.

1. The Monastic and Bimodal Paths: Total retreat, or dividing your time
2. The Rhythmic and Journalistic Paths: A daily habit, or diving in whenever you can
3. The Grand Gesture: Change your surroundings, change your focus

The Four Rules

Newport’s four rules for turning deep work into a daily habit.

1. Routines and Rituals: Rely on habit, not willpower
2. Embrace Boredom: Focus is a muscle, and distraction weakens it
3. Quit Social Media: “It has some benefit” isn’t reason enough
4. Drain the Shallows: Give every minute of the day a job

Deep Work at the Office

Making room for deep work among emails, meetings and your boss’s expectations.

1. Taming Email: Fewer emails, clearer replies
2. A Deep Work Deal with Your Boss: Set a budget for shallow work

Put It into Practice

You’ve read the book. Now it’s time to take back your attention.

1. The 7-Day Deep Work Plan: One task a day. Tick it off when done.
2. One-Page Cheat Sheet: The whole book at a glance. Save it.
3. Final Word: A Focused Life: What you pay attention to becomes your life

From the free first chapter

Today’s office looks very different. Newport cites a McKinsey study finding that knowledge workers spend more than 60% of the workweek on electronic communication and internet searching, with close to 30% going to reading and answering email alone.

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