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  • Deep Work

  • Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
  • By: Cal Newport
  • Narrated by: Jeff Bottoms
  • Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,541 ratings)

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Deep Work

By: Cal Newport
Narrated by: Jeff Bottoms
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Publisher's Summary

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

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)

What listeners say about Deep Work

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Not what you are looking for...

It has a seductive title. Everyone wants to learn how to work harder and for longer but trust me - this will not help you. I've listened to many similar audiobooks but this is based on the most loosely referenced information that will supposedly help you to improve your concentration. Nearly all of it is common sense and some of it is simply outlandish: "Memorise a deck of cards" "Store information as variables in your brain"??? Hmmmmm

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42 people found this helpful

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good point- didnt need 70000 words to explain it!

i was waiting for the explanation on HOW to do deep work... didnt really come? the entire book is about justifying the importance of deep work so if you are unsure why its important this is a good explanation

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38 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Dull beyond words

What would have made Deep Work better?

Less repetition of the obvious

What was most disappointing about Cal Newport’s story?

It's all about Cal. More examples of how his suggested methods of focus actually worked for other people outside of his industry would have won me over

Would you be willing to try another one of Jeff Bottoms’s performances?

Yes

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Deep Work?

50% of the book would go. I would cut in more fact, show relevance to others outside of academia, and take out the remminicances

Any additional comments?

Save yourselves $14

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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For those who like their own space.

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.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Well worth the investment!

This book has really challenged my view of effective work in our current environment. I have realised why I'm not achieving as much meaningful work and what I can do about this. A really timely read for all knowledge workers.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Just what I needed

Great book. The suggestions regarding the blocking out of distractions to deep thinking are excellent.

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7 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great but lots of unnecessary info

The practical content is very useful and I will definitely apply it, however there was so much unnecessary story telling about the details of people's lives that I just didn't care about. Honestly the summary would have been a better choice. Save your time.

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6 people found this helpful

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Great contemporary logic for old-fashioned hard work

I like the logical structure while maintaining an easy context for wholistic understanding.
A good listen/read for anyone waning to achieve great things by being smart (use your brain to think strong thoughts)

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5 people found this helpful

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Highly Informative

After listening to the book in the space of a week, I would recommend this to anyone seeking a way to spend their time at work or at home in a more balanced manner. This book outlines several methods used for being able to work in a concentrated manner for sectioned amounts of time without distraction, but also by reducing the amount of free time that is spent procrastinating in between these long projects, so that the work output is faster and of a higher quality overall, without sacrificing too much leisure time.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Easy to consume info

I found it a great insight to change the way I work.
Distractions too often is rewarded because we seem adept in consuming more, but we're not taking anything in really.

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