Remember focus?
That thing you used to have?
Before smartphones. Before social media.
Before the world became a 24/7 cycle of distractions.
Seriously.
It’s crazy that the amount of technology we have to increase efficiency and productivity often provides more distraction and divided attention.
Don’t get me wrong, the right tools do indeed increase productivity. But, when you get stuck in a world of emails, meetings, and constant notifications:
You get focus distractions. Where finding time for deep work seems impossible.
Cal Newport called it right “…deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable...”
I’m telling you, it matters.
Whether you're a creative professional, knowledge worker, or entrepreneur, deep work - the capacity to concentrate without distraction on a cognitively demanding task - is the key to producing your most meaningful and impactful work.
"The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill, and then make it the core of their working life, will thrive." - Cal Newport
Deep work is essential:
To produce better work in less time
To learn complex skills faster
To be creative and have breakthroughs
To feel professionally fulfilled and purposeful
To be competitive in a world of automation
To reduce stress and feel a sense of accomplishment
The key is to create an environment and schedule that protects and prioritizes deep, uninterrupted focus.
To fit deep work into your busy schedule use the FOCUS framework:
Fortify your environment: Create a distraction-free space for deep work.
Optimize your schedule: Identify and block out your most productive hours for focused work.
Communicate boundaries: Let colleagues and family know when you’re in deep work mode. (This one action has worked wonders for me!)
Utilize rituals: Create routines that tell your brain it’s time for deep focus.
Start small: Begin with short deep work sessions and gradually increase time.
Picture This…
You’re a marketing manager working on a big campaign strategy.
Here’s how you’d apply the FOCUS framework:
Fortify your environment:
You set up a dedicated space free from distractions, using noise-canceling headphones and website blockers to eliminate digital interruptions.Optimize your schedule:
You know your peak cognitive hours are in the morning so you block out 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM every day for deep work on the strategy.Communicate boundaries:
You tell your team you’ll be unavailable during these morning hours except for true emergencies and set up an auto-responder on your email.Utilize rituals:
You create a pre-deep work routine of brewing a specific tea, doing a 5-minute meditation, and reviewing your goals for the session.Start small:
You start with 90-minute deep work sessions and gradually increase to the full 3 hours as you build your focus muscle.
By using this framework you have a structured approach to deep work and can make progress on your campaign strategy while juggling other responsibilities.
Why did the deep worker take up free diving?
Because they know the best ideas are found deep below the distractions!
Here’s your homework:
To start incorporating deep work into your routine, try this exercise:
1. Deep Work Audit:
Track your work patterns for a week, noting when you're most focused and productive.
Identify your biggest distractions and time-wasters.
2. Environment Design:
Choose a specific space for deep work (it could be a room, a desk, or even a coffee shop).
List three ways you can modify this space to eliminate distractions (e.g. remove your phone, use a white noise machine).
3. Schedule Optimization:
Based on your audit, what are your peak cognitive hours?
Block out at least two 2-hour deep work sessions in your calendar for the coming week.
4. Boundary Setting:
Write a message to colleagues/family about your deep work hours and how to reach you in emergencies.
Set up auto-responders or status messages for those times.
5. Ritual Creation:
Create a 5-10 minute pre-deep work ritual (e.g. breathing exercises, reviewing goals, light stretching).
Do this ritual before each deep work session.
6. Gradual Implementation:
Start with 45-minute deep work sessions.
Add 15 minutes to the session length each week until you reach your target session.
7. Reflection and Adjustment:
After each deep work session, journal for a few minutes on what worked and what didn’t.
Weekly review and adjust as needed.
By consistently practicing and refining your deep work approach, you can dramatically increase your productivity and the quality of your output.
Curated Resources:
Book: "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport
Podcast: "The Deep Life" with Cal Newport
Article: "The Complete Guide to Deep Work" by Todoist
Video: "Deep Work" by Cal Newport, YouTube
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Remember, in a world of constant distraction, the ability to engage in deep work is a superpower.
By using the FOCUS framework to fortify your environment, optimize your schedule, communicate boundaries, utilize rituals, and start small, you can carve out the time and space needed for profound concentration and breakthrough results.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed by shallow tasks and constant interruptions, take a deep breath and commit to diving into the depths of focused work.
Your future self - more productive, more creative, and perhaps even sporting a knowing smile at a brilliantly executed project - will thank you for mastering the art of deep work.
And if you ever feel like you're drowning in distractions? Just remember: even the deepest oceans are conquered one stroke at a time.
Keep diving deep, and see how your work gets even better!
Thanks for reading. Be easy!
Girvin
P.S. I’d love for you to reply to this email and tell me one thing: If I were to dedicate my next issue to you and the challenge you’re currently facing…what would that issue be?
If you like today’s topic and want more practical tips for helping you improve your life, I recommend checking out Never Stop Learning and shy by design.
This is Dripcurious, a weekly newsletter of curated insights and frameworks to nudge your curiosity and sharpen the skills needed to make and influence smarter decisions, faster.