Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport – Book Review and Insights Part 1

The author begins by saying that to thrive in an economy, we need the ability to quickly master hard things and to produce at an elite level, in both quality and speed. Deep work is needed for the above. What separates experts from everyone else is deliberate practice to improve performance in a specific domain. Deliberate practice requires uninterrupted concentration.

The science behind deep work is fascinating. Myelin is a layer of fatty tissue that grows around neurons, acting like an insulator that allows the cells to fire faster and cleaner. Skill eventually reduces down to brain circuits. Science argues that you get better at a skill as you develop more myelin around the neurons, allowing the corresponding circuit to fire more effortlessly and effectively. To be great at something means to be well myelinated. Focusing intensely on the task, you are forcing the relevant circuit to fire again and again in isolation. This begins wrapping layers of myelin around the neurons in the circuits, effectively cementing the skill.

However, deep work is hard due to a couple of reasons:
1. Principle of least resistance – In a business setting without clear feedback on the impact of various behaviors to the bottom line, we will tend towards behaviors that are easiest in the moment
2. Busyness as proxy for productivity – In the absence of clear indicators of what it means to be productive and valuable in their jobs, many knowledge workers turn back toward an industrial indicator of productivity: doing lots of stuff in a visible manner. If you check emails all the time, if you schedule and attend meetings constantly, if you weigh in on instant messenger within seconds when someone poses a question, if you roam around open office bouncing ideas off of whom you encounter – it looks like you are busy in a public manner. In the absence of clear goals for your job, we fall back on visible busyness.

The author describes three arguments, backed by science, to convince why deep work is meaningful and gives much satisfaction:
1. Neurological – A workday driven by shallow work, from a neurological perspective, is likely to be a draining and upsetting day, even most of the shallow things seem harmless and fun.
2. Psychological – Human beings are at their best when immersed deeply in something challenging.
3. Philosophical – Your work is a craft. If you hone your ability and apply it with respect and care, you can generate meaning in the daily efforts of your professional life. Cultivating craftmanship requires commitment to deep work.

I agree that distractions like social media and too many meetings at work have made deep work hard. This book provides strategies to incorporate deep work into our daily life. Part 2 of this post covers tips on implementing deep work. Stay Tuned!

What are your thoughts on deep work? Share in the comments.