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Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare. If you master this skill, you'll achieve extraordinary results. Deep Work is an indispensable guide to anyone seeking focused success in a distracted world. 'Cal Newport is…
- Release Date
- 2016
- Length
- 190 pages
- Publisher
- Hachette UK
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Our Review
About the book
Computer science professor Cal Newport argues that the ability to focus without distraction on cognitively demanding tasks is becoming both rarer and more valuable. He offers rules and strategies for building deep work into a career and cutting back shallow busywork.
Our review
Newport makes a clear argument for protecting your attention, with rules that have held up better than most productivity advice.
Newport makes two cases and makes both well. First, focused, uninterrupted work produces better results and more satisfaction than a day spent in email and meetings. Second, you can train for it. His rules, such as scheduling deep work blocks, embracing boredom, quitting low-value social media and draining the shallows, are specific enough to try on Monday. The examples range from academics to entrepreneurs, and the argument has only grown more relevant as distractions have multiplied.
The advice assumes a degree of control over your schedule that many workers simply don’t have. Parents, shift workers and junior employees may find the monastic options unrealistic, and the book offers them less. Some chapters run long on anecdotes about famous writers’ cabins. Still, even partial adoption of Newport’s methods can change a workweek, which is more than most books in this genre can claim.
What we loved
- Concrete rules that are easy to test
- A persuasive economic case for focus
- Ideas that have aged well
Keep in mind
- Assumes significant control over your schedule
- Some anecdotes feel padded
Read it if you like
Readers of Digital Minimalism, Atomic Habits or Indistractable.
The verdict
One of the few productivity books worth rereading. It’s practical and persuasive, if a bit idealistic.
