Deep Work

Name of the Book :- Deep Work

Author :- Cal New port

No. of Chapters :- 07

Number of Pages :- 296

Single Sentence description of Book :- How  to be meaningful and effective in this fast paced world.

 

What the book is about: -   The book is about the importance of doing deep work in this digital age of constant distraction. This book covers the topic in two parts. The first part takes a dig on importance  of deep works and elaborates it further by proving that the deep work is extremely valuable and  meaningful in today’s fast moving digital life. The second part of the book consists of rules required to carry out  deep work. Author says deep work is much more important in today’s scenario as we need to master any skill in shortest possible time and produce extraordinary output.

 

Examples used to support theory:- Author has given ample examples to support his theory of deep work.   One of the famous examples is  Bill gates wrote “Internet tidal wave” memo in 1995 which turned Microsoft’s attention towards  company towards Netscape communications. This was written by him during one of thethink  weeks during  which he isolated himself from world.
 

Rules to generate deep work:- Author has given following four  rules to achieve the deep work . T

Rule #1 Types of Working and How to Achieve deep work

1. There are four  types of philosophies of deep work mentioned in book
a. Monastic Philosophy: - Un-interrupted continuous working without distraction
b. Bi modal: - Divide time for deep work and shallow work
c. Rhythmic :- Fix time for deep work every day or week
d. Journalistic: - Go into deep work mode whenever time is available.

 

Scheduling is very much important to achieve any deep work. After this, author has explained four important elements for execution of deep work which are:-

a) Focus on wildly important
b) Act on lead indicators
c) Keep a scoreboard to check performance
d) Have review of what is achieved.

 

Rule # 2 Embrace Boredom:- In this author explains how to avoid distractions and stay connected with deep work.

 

Rule # 3 Quit social media: - In this author put emphasis on use of social media, only if we are getting any meaningful or constructive from social media. He laid down some rules for selection of social media. Further author advised a strategy to Quit social media and analyse the results whether social media is at all needed.

 

Rule # 4 Drain the shallow:-  It means removal of all the unimportant things from life Which are draining our energy and preventing us from being focused.

Pros: -

1.   Great book to stay focused for quality output.
2. Methods elaborated in book are good and practical

 

Cons:-

 Book is repetitive at some places and flow could have been better

Gain from book :-

1. Author suggested one important thing shutdown ritual which means disconnect from office work after 0530 pm. Write the list of pending jobs so that they do not engage your mind at home.
2. In chapter two, Author explains that deep work is rare, as we keep on doing lot of stuff in a visible manner which is a sign of shallowness. For examples constantly replying emails in a shortest possible time looks like a productivity to someone, but in Actual it is not.

 Overall Review:- It is a good read for people who want to create something useful and great in this constantly distracting  world.

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