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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

 One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare. If you master this skill, you'll achieve extraordinary results.

Deep Work is an indispensable guide to anyone seeking focused success in a distracted world.

'Cal Newport is exceptional in the realm of self-help authors' New York Times

'Deep work' is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by author and professor Cal Newport on his popular blog Study Hacks, deep work will make you better at what you do, let you achieve more in less time and provide the sense of true fulfilment that comes from the mastery of a skill. In short, deep work is like a superpower in our increasingly competitive economy.

And yet most people, whether knowledge workers in noisy open-plan offices or creatives struggling to sharpen their vision, have lost the ability to go deep - spending their days instead in a frantic blur of email and social media, not even realising there's a better way.

A mix of cultural criticism and actionable advice, DEEP WORK takes the reader on a journey through memorable stories -- from Carl Jung building a stone tower in the woods to focus his mind, to a social media pioneer buying a round-trip business class ticket to Tokyo to write a book free from distraction in the air -- and surprising suggestions, such as the claim that most serious professionals should quit social media and that you should practice being bored.

Put simply: developing and cultivating a deep work practice is one of the best decisions you can make in an increasingly distracted world and this book will point the way.©2016 Cal Newport Management Management & Leadership Business Inspiring Thought-Provoking Leadership Technology

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Critic reviews

As a presence on the page, Newport is exceptional in the realm of self-help authors
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.
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.
DEEP WORK makes a compelling case for cultivating intense focus, and offers immediately actionable steps for infusing more of it into our lives.
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.
Cal Newport offers the most well-informed and astute collection of practical advice I have seen for reclaiming one's mental powers.
Just when you think you already know this stuff, DEEP WORK hits you with surprisingly unique and useful insights. Rule #3 alone, with its discussion of the 'Any-Benefit' mind-set, is worth the price of this book.
Here lies a playbook for professionals of all stripes to achieve true differentiation in a crowded talent marketplace. Cal Newport's latest shows why he is one of the most provocative thinkers on the future of work.
In this strong self-help book, Newport declares that the habits of modern professionals-checking email at all hours, rushing from meeting to meeting, and valuing multitasking above all else-only stand in the way of truly valuable work
[A] worthwhile distraction.
DEEP WORK is the killer app of the knowledge economy: it is only by concentrating intensely that you can master a difficult discipline or solve a demanding problem
This is a deep, not shallow, book which can enrich your life
A wonderfully entangled, intertwined, and erudite series of strategies, philosophies, disciplines, and techniques to sharpen your focus and dive deep into your work
DEEP WORK is now one of my all-time favorite books, and I'm not joking when I say it was a life-changing read for me. I think it can be for you too
What emerges most powerfully is the sense that it's wrong to think of deep work as one more thing you've got to try to cram into your schedule. Truly committing to it, Newport suggests, transforms the rest of your time - so you'll crank through shallow work faster, be more present in your home life, and eliminate time wasted switching between tasks. Depth, in short, isn't at odds with a full life - it facilitates it. I'm persuaded.
All stars
Most relevant
If you want honesty about productivity and be better at it, this is a book for you. Cal breaks down how to go about in delving into "Deep Work". I'll certainly be listening to the book again and remind myself of the Deep Work principles.

Got me rethinking of the amount of time I waste

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I liked the way that it just makes sense

When following deep work you quickly realise how "fast" you can get things done.
If you just follow the advice on e-mails time will flood into your day.
This is not about time management but it will free up your time.
In addition it is written in an easygoing style that encourages you to try it out.
The audible book allows me to listen when I am travelling so that I can continue reinforcing the techniques without effort

Brilliant book with easy to follow advice

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What is contained in this book is phenomenal. Putting into practice the various principles will make a huge improvement to your (most likely) boring and unfulfilling life.

Far better than I expected

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Much of this book could have been chopped away - really all that was needed was an essay's worth, an extended blog post. I didn't really need loosely-related scientific and philosophical studies, comparisons with manual labourers and so on. However - I will absolutely heed the lessons from this book, so it has changed my life. It has given me the evidence and backing I needed to go forward living my life deeply and minimise distraction as much as possible so that I use my precious time conscientiously and not just wile it away aimlessly on my phone anymore. It has already deeply changed my relationship with my work. And to be honest, even though though a blog post would suffice, sometimes it is helpful to listen to an entire book on a subject to really get you to heed the lessons, so I'm not overly mad about it.

You will change your habits but a lot unnecessary

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It's perfection. I know, that sounds like a bit much. But it's not. Get it.

Just read it.

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