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Summary of 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport.
The #1 best-selling summary of Deep Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. Get all the valuable insights from the book and save yourself 3.5 hours of reading time.
2 Summaries in 1:
1. In-depth, chapter-by-chapter summary (66 pages).
2. A downloadable PDF 2-page summary with key points for reference and review.
( this summary is written and published by edify.me. It is not the original book and not written by the original author.)
Summary
Deep Work is about the power of focused work. Written by Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University, the book’s key insight is that the ability to do great work requires developing powers of focus and work habits of uninterrupted concentration. Unfortunately, many things get in the way of work. The office environment is filled with interruptions. Rapid communication tools such as instant messaging and email disrupt our concentration. The ubiquitously accessible Internet, which is now an integral part of both work and life, contains an infinite number of distractions. This book provides solutions to these challenges.
Deep Work contains two parts. The introduction and Part I explain the concept of deep work, why it is important, modern trends that detract from deep work, and why it can lead to productive and meaningful work.
Introduction. Definition of deep work and shallow work.
Chapter 1: Deep Work Is Valuable. Why deep work is valuable in the new economy; the law of productivity; attention residue.
Chapter 2: Deep Work Is Rare. 3 trends that prioritize shallow work over deep work (open office plans, rapid communication, social media expectations); 4 reasons why shallow work persists (the metric black hole, the principle of least resistance, busyness as proxy for productivity, the cult of the Internet).
Chapter 3: Deep Work Is Meaningful. How pursuing deep work can provide meaning in work and life (happiness, flow, craftsmanship).
Part II discusses the 4 rules of deep work, and explains strategies to avoid distraction and improve your ability to work deeply.
Rule #1: Work Deeply. The daily struggle against distraction; 4 approaches to deep work (monastic, bimodal, rhythmic, journalistic); rituals; the grand gesture; how to work with others; the 4 disciplines of execution; downtime.
Rule #2: Embrace Boredom. Weaning your mind from distraction (offline / online time blocks); strengthening your focus ability (work sprints, productive meditation, memory training).
Rule #3: Quit Social Media. Network tool selection (the any-benefit vs. craftsman approach to tool selection); law of the vital few; 30-day social media ban; avoidance of Internet entertainment.
Rule #4: Drain the Shallows. 6 strategies to reduce shallow work (quantify the depth of every activity, the shallow work budget, schedule your entire day, fixed-schedule productivity, how to say “no”, manage email senders).
Conclusion. Pushing the limits of deep work.
Reading
55 minutes
Full 4:20 hours
3:25 hours
Benefits of edify.me
clear, concise and well-written for easy reading.
structured into logical sections and enhanced with bullet points, lists and quotations.
provides a fast refresher when you need it.
2 Summaries in 1:
1. In-depth, chapter-by-chapter summary (66 pages).
2. A downloadable PDF 2-page summary with key points for reference and review.
( this summary is written and published by edify.me. It is not the original book and not written by the original author.)
Summary
Deep Work is about the power of focused work. Written by Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University, the book’s key insight is that the ability to do great work requires developing powers of focus and work habits of uninterrupted concentration. Unfortunately, many things get in the way of work. The office environment is filled with interruptions. Rapid communication tools such as instant messaging and email disrupt our concentration. The ubiquitously accessible Internet, which is now an integral part of both work and life, contains an infinite number of distractions. This book provides solutions to these challenges.
Deep Work contains two parts. The introduction and Part I explain the concept of deep work, why it is important, modern trends that detract from deep work, and why it can lead to productive and meaningful work.
Introduction. Definition of deep work and shallow work.
Chapter 1: Deep Work Is Valuable. Why deep work is valuable in the new economy; the law of productivity; attention residue.
Chapter 2: Deep Work Is Rare. 3 trends that prioritize shallow work over deep work (open office plans, rapid communication, social media expectations); 4 reasons why shallow work persists (the metric black hole, the principle of least resistance, busyness as proxy for productivity, the cult of the Internet).
Chapter 3: Deep Work Is Meaningful. How pursuing deep work can provide meaning in work and life (happiness, flow, craftsmanship).
Part II discusses the 4 rules of deep work, and explains strategies to avoid distraction and improve your ability to work deeply.
Rule #1: Work Deeply. The daily struggle against distraction; 4 approaches to deep work (monastic, bimodal, rhythmic, journalistic); rituals; the grand gesture; how to work with others; the 4 disciplines of execution; downtime.
Rule #2: Embrace Boredom. Weaning your mind from distraction (offline / online time blocks); strengthening your focus ability (work sprints, productive meditation, memory training).
Rule #3: Quit Social Media. Network tool selection (the any-benefit vs. craftsman approach to tool selection); law of the vital few; 30-day social media ban; avoidance of Internet entertainment.
Rule #4: Drain the Shallows. 6 strategies to reduce shallow work (quantify the depth of every activity, the shallow work budget, schedule your entire day, fixed-schedule productivity, how to say “no”, manage email senders).
Conclusion. Pushing the limits of deep work.
Reading
55 minutes
Full 4:20 hours
3:25 hours
Benefits of edify.me
clear, concise and well-written for easy reading.
structured into logical sections and enhanced with bullet points, lists and quotations.
provides a fast refresher when you need it.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2016
40 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 21, 2017
Great succinct summary
Boiled the core concepts down well but still maintained a decent level of readability. The original book has great insight and this book captures them well.
Boiled the core concepts down well but still maintained a decent level of readability. The original book has great insight and this book captures them well.
October 2, 2017
Great Quick Read
Down and dirty quick read of a great book. It seemed to be more than a summary. It read like the real book..
Down and dirty quick read of a great book. It seemed to be more than a summary. It read like the real book..
February 13, 2019
Great daily goals and practices.
Deep work was a great read. Lots of helpful tips and advice to manage your daily work, career, and life goals.
Deep work was a great read. Lots of helpful tips and advice to manage your daily work, career, and life goals.
August 2, 2023
Seemed like we were beating a dead horse by the end
March 5, 2017
Great summary with key points
I liked the approach and the way it's organized with all the important points covered crisply and efficiently. Good job!
I liked the approach and the way it's organized with all the important points covered crisply and efficiently. Good job!
February 26, 2017
Inspiring
I enjoyed this summary. I was able to read it quickly, and feel I had a lot of ideas to improve my ability to do deep work.
I enjoyed this summary. I was able to read it quickly, and feel I had a lot of ideas to improve my ability to do deep work.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews