What is Deep Work and How Can You Take Advantage of It?

Are you looking for ways to get more done with less time? Try deep work.

Deep Work is a concept popularized by Cal Newport in his book, “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.”

Newport emphasizes that deep work is crucial in a world filled with distractions. 

By focusing intensely on complex tasks, individuals can produce better work faster, leading to more success and satisfaction.

 

Deep Work vs Shallow Work

Work can be divided into two categories: deep work and shallow work.

Shallow work pertains to routine tasks that don’t need much brain power and can be done on auto-pilot. 

Examples include checking email, attending routine meetings, and doing administrative tasks. These tasks are often simple but don’t really move the needle forward.

On the other hand,  deep work involves focused, uninterrupted tasks that require a lot of mental effort, like writing reports, coding, solving complex problems, or strategic planning. 

This type of work leads to high-quality results that get you closer to your goals because they require intense concentration and creates significant value, making them harder to replicate or automate.

 

Steps to Practice Deep Work

So how do you introduce deep work into your routine? Here are some simple steps.

 

Create an Environment Conducive to Deep Work

Establish a comfortable workspace free from distractions. It can be a separate room or designated area in your home or office where you can focus.

Next, turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, remove any physical clutter from your workspace, and inform others that you are not to be disturbed during your deep work session.

 

Set Clear Goals

Next, set clear goals for your deep work session. 

For instance, if you’re working on a marketing strategy for a product launch, define tasks such as outlining campaign goals, researching target audiences, and drafting promotional content. 

This focused approach keeps you on track, making your deep work session more productive.

 

Use Focus and Time Management Techniques 

Deep work might feel hard at first because people are used to working with distractions. In fact, beginners may only manage 1-2 hours of deep work daily.

However, by using focus and time management techniques, you can gradually improve your ability to concentrate and maximize productivity during these sessions.

You can use time blocking techniques to schedule specific periods for deep work, for instance. 

Also, the Pomodoro Technique can help you break your deep work sessions into manageable intervals, typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break, to maintain productivity and mental sharpness.

 

Delegate Your Shallow Work

Deep work, but how do you focus on it with so many shallow tasks on your to-do list?

Thus, the most effective way is to delegate. 

For example, you can outsource administrative tasks  to a virtual assistant to free up time for deep work.

Plus, it’s not just administrative tasks. Should you need it, a virtual assistant can also help with matters like social media management, content writing, and more.

So if you need a virtual assistant or other services, Remote Staff can connect you with top Filipino remote workers.

Remote Staff prequalifies skilled professionals, lining up the right match for your specific requirements.

Call us or schedule a callback to find yours today!