By Cal Newport, PhD
Where did I find this?
Deep work was a follow up to a previous book, “So good they cant ignore you” which while somewhat repetitive in nature I had previously read and enjoyed.
Should you pick this up?
9/10
This book was a sound investment of my time, and is one of few which I have read a number of times to refresh my memory.
Review
The ideas presented in this book are not difficult to ascertain from the title, specifically the concept that focusing on a single task has the potential to deliver exceptional results. However, where Newport excels, is in the way that he artfully builds his argument over the chapters of the manuscript, convincing the reader that deep work has a number of advantages over the fragmented modern workplace.
I personally struggle in my own work, with numerous interruptions and competing priorities. Thus the message of the book resonated with me, causing me to rethink my focus and actually led to a number of changes in my weekly schedule – with a number of added calendar entries of 1-2 hours blocked out for singular focus on my most important tasks.
For me these behavioral changes did lead to progress on a number of fronts, which while less profound than some of the examples cited in the book, were significant. I would recommend this book without hesitation.
For the action oriented his step by step description of how to set up your time and workflow to encourage a state of deep work (i.e. a state whereby you are able to focus for extended periods of time on a single meaningful task, without interruption) is effective and easy to adopt.
Think Live Grow 