The one productivity “hack” that has helped me to manage a company that generates $100m a month:
I’m not ashamed to admit that for many years I was fooled into thinking multitasking was a good thing.
When you’re multitasking all the time, it's hard to see why it’s harmful or bad.
When you’re multitasking all the time, it's hard to see why it’s harmful or bad.
I remember reading for the first time, “multitasking is a myth; instead, we switch between tasks quickly and end up working inefficiently as a result.”
My mind was blown away 🤯
I thought, “So I’m not actually doing multiple things at once?”
My mind was blown away 🤯
I thought, “So I’m not actually doing multiple things at once?”
The idea that multitasking could be bad had never even crossed my mind.
I just took it for granted because everyone I knew was a multitasker.
It wasn’t until Cal Newport opened my eyes by teaching me the difference between Deep Work and Shallow Work.
I just took it for granted because everyone I knew was a multitasker.
It wasn’t until Cal Newport opened my eyes by teaching me the difference between Deep Work and Shallow Work.
Deep Work
The ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task that creates new value improves skills and is difficult to automate or replicate.
Shallow Work
Tasks that are not cognitively demanding and don't add new value.
The ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task that creates new value improves skills and is difficult to automate or replicate.
Shallow Work
Tasks that are not cognitively demanding and don't add new value.
Deep Work will allow you to think, create value and learn more effectively ✅
Shallow work is easy to replicate, so will be the first to go in the rise of automation. ❌
Shallow work is easy to replicate, so will be the first to go in the rise of automation. ❌
Consistently achieving deep work is increasingly difficult in our technologically connected world.
This is why it’s become the ONE productivity hack to rule them all.
This is why it’s become the ONE productivity hack to rule them all.
The moment I adopted Newport’s rule was the first time in a long time that I felt myself get in the zone, and deep work was effortless.
I began to build my days around deep work activities and avoid shallow activities to the extent that it was possible.
I began to build my days around deep work activities and avoid shallow activities to the extent that it was possible.
Time Blocking
I did this by using time blocking.
Time blocking is a scheduling format that divides your day into specific blocks of time.
I have two types of time blocks.
1. Deep work blocks
2. Shallow work blocks
I did this by using time blocking.
Time blocking is a scheduling format that divides your day into specific blocks of time.
I have two types of time blocks.
1. Deep work blocks
2. Shallow work blocks
Within each block, I set aside specific times for each task.
But the key is, I never, ever mix the boxes.
During deep work, I never dip my toe into shallow work tasks and vice versa.
But the key is, I never, ever mix the boxes.
During deep work, I never dip my toe into shallow work tasks and vice versa.
During a deep work block, if I come up with an idea or question about something in a shallow work block, I’ll make a note of it and come back to it later.
Deep work is not the time to dwell on every idea or Google search random things your mind might fixate on.
Deep work is not the time to dwell on every idea or Google search random things your mind might fixate on.
I’ve noticed that making the note gives my mind permission to put that idea on hold and carry on with what I was doing.
Another tip I’ve found helpful, I put my phone on airplane mode and wear noise-canceling headphones.
Another tip I’ve found helpful, I put my phone on airplane mode and wear noise-canceling headphones.
If every time you do deep work, you do both of those; you train your body to get into deep work faster.
As soon as the headphones come on, your body knows what to expect.
As soon as the headphones come on, your body knows what to expect.
Also, consider a location that you can associate with deep work.
Having one spot for deep work and one spot for shallow trains your body to get into deep work quickly.
Having one spot for deep work and one spot for shallow trains your body to get into deep work quickly.
Schedule Downtime
Your ability for Deep Work is finite and must be replenished with breaks.
Take breaks by moving, relaxing, and avoiding social media.
Did you catch that?
If you take a break, keep off social media; it drains your energy instead of recharging it.
Your ability for Deep Work is finite and must be replenished with breaks.
Take breaks by moving, relaxing, and avoiding social media.
Did you catch that?
If you take a break, keep off social media; it drains your energy instead of recharging it.
Summary:
Being constantly digitally connected encourages us to switch our tasks and attention regularly.
I know we all love Twitter, but man, social media is a major distraction preventing deep work.
Being constantly digitally connected encourages us to switch our tasks and attention regularly.
I know we all love Twitter, but man, social media is a major distraction preventing deep work.
To find success, I developed routines and rituals to enable deep work effortlessly.
Examine your schedule to squeeze out unnecessary meetings and tasks and prioritize opportunities for deep work.
Examine your schedule to squeeze out unnecessary meetings and tasks and prioritize opportunities for deep work.
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Thank you for reading!
If you enjoy this content, follow me @junshukla2 for more!
Thank you for reading!
If you enjoy this content, follow me @junshukla2 for more!
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