Making time for deep work. Everyday
Deep work, defined by Cal Newport in his book under the same title as performing intellectual activities in a state of full concentration and free from distractions, is a rare luxury these days. And yet, my most essential work, such as research, data analysis, and writing, require long periods of focused effort, not to mention learning new skills or identifying new thought patterns and connections.
Making time for deep work is a conscious effort. Many of the environments in which I’ve worked, including those involving knowledge creation, were not conducive to deep work and concentration. It also takes time and practice to become comfortable with deep work and increase your attention span. Although my studies required extended periods of concentration, I wasn’t really used to deep work. My degrees, while demanding, did not include highly cognitive tasks performed daily. Committing to research work, on the other hand, allowed me to relize the simple truth that no real progress can come from chaotic work and unintentional practice.
How I practice deep work today? Following the advice of Michael Hyatt in his book Free to Focus, I schedule meetings with myself, protecting those two or three hours each morning when my attention is at its peak. I like to schedule blocks of time to focus on research and writing, dedicating at least one hour to each activity. It may not seem like a lot of time, but those hours add up. I eliminate all electronic distractions and put my phone on airplane mode. I work from home whenever I can. Being held accountable and creating false deadlines also helps. And when I rest, I try to rest truly, giving my brain the necessary break. Regardless of how the day unfolds, I enjoy the satisfaction of having done the most important, rather than urgent work.
Over time, practicing deep work allows you to ignore the collective madness of busyness and connectivity, and create a sense of meaning - time well spent and a life well lived. If you could spend several months working on a project or mastering a skill that could help you accelerate your contribution in the long run, what would you choose to focus on?
