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Deep Work

Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

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Deep Work

By: Cal Newport
Narrated by: Jeff Bottoms
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About this listen

Popular blogger Cal Newport reveals the new key to achieving success and true meaning in professional life: the ability to master distraction.

Many modern knowledge workers now spend most of their brain power battling distraction and interruption, whether because of the incessant pinging of devices, noisy open-plan offices or the difficulty of deciding what deserves their attention the most. When Cal Newport coined the term deep work on his popular blog, Study Hacks, in 2012, he found the concept quickly hit a nerve. Most of us, after all, are excruciatingly familiar with shallow work instead - distractedly skimming the surface of our workload and never getting to the important part. Newport began exploring the methods and mind-set that foster a practice of distraction-free productivity at work, and now, in Deep Work, he shows how anyone can achieve this elusive state.

Through revealing portraits of both historical and modern-day thinkers, academics and leaders in the fields of technology, science and culture, and their deep work habits, Newport shares an inspiring collection of tools to wring every last drop of value out of your intellectual capacity. He explains why mastering this shift in work practices is crucial for anyone who intends to stay ahead in a complex information economy and how to systematically train the mind to focus. Put simply: developing and cultivating a deep work practice is one of the best decisions we can make in an increasingly distracted world.

©2016 Cal Newport (P)2016 Hachette Audio
Management Management & Leadership Business Inspiring Thought-Provoking Leadership Technology Human Brain

Critic Reviews

"Engaging and substantive.... Deep Work accomplishes two considerable tasks: One is putting out a wealth of concrete practices for the ambitious, without relying on gauzy clichés. The second is that Mr. Newport resists the corporate groupthink of constant connectivity without seeming like a curmudgeon." ( The Wall Street Journal)
"Cal Newport is a clear voice in a sea of noise, bringing science and passion in equal measure. We don't need more clicks, more cats, and more emojis. We need brave work, work that happens when we refuse to avert our eyes." (Seth Godin, author of Linchpin)
"As automation and outsourcing reshape the workplace, what new skill do we need? The ability to do deep work. Cal Newport's exciting new book is an introduction and guide to the kind of intense concentration in a distraction-free environment that results in fast, powerful learning and performance. Think of it as calisthenics for your mind - and start your exercise program today." (Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive)
" Deep Work makes a compelling case for cultivating intense focus, and offers immediately actionable steps for infusing more of it into our lives." (Adam M. Grant, author of Originals)
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Any additional comments?

Deep Work is a well read book, with some interesting points that I will try and implement into my own work habits.I did find, however, that the author is very "introverted" in his approach, and he clearly doesn't identify with the needs of extroverts. Monastic approaches to work, where a person locks themself away to think - posting notes basically saying 'get over it' to possible distractions - are seen as 'ideal situations'. He considers social media as having 'minor benefits' - when I propose that most of the world disagrees. Connection and relationships are extremely important to people, which is why so many people feel compelled to Facetime instead of write their thesis. While the author may consider 2 weeks locked in a room a meditative experience, he should also recognise that solitary confinement is actually used as a form of torture.I did like his use of scheduling, memorising and training techniques to train the brain to like solitude and hard work - but I think I will need to find a more extroverted approach to deep work, because there is little hope of me retreating to my bat cave any time soon.

For those who like their own space.

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Recommend this to everyone. It will change your life, identifying things in your life to improve, things you didn't even realise we're holding you back. Great value

Brilliant

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Like the theory and ideas it provided.
reconsider the schefule of daily life.

simple stories but deep theory.

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it's a must read and the pitch of the book is perfect. If you are consumed with shallow work and feel unproductive then Deep work is the answer.

A must read

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Excellent book. Five stars. If only everyone in modern society would read this book, I believe we would all see a shift in what humanity is able to achieve.

I plan to listen to it again just in case I missed anything, as it is jam packed with valuable strategies for forging new habits for productivity and deep work.

Five stars. evidence backed techniques.

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