Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success in a Distracted World
by Cal Newport
BF323 .D5 N49 2016
New Arrivals Island, 2nd floor
Who couldn’t use a superpower?
Cal Newport, Georgetown computer science professor has written a lot about success. His books include How to Become a Straight-A Student, How to Win at College, and So Good They Can’t Ignore You. His latest work is along the same lines. This time he writes about deep work, a term he coined to describe the ability to focus intently on work, free from distractions. If that sounds like the opposite of your reality, you will have a lot of company. The author cites a scary study about knowledge workers: 60% of their work time is spent in searching online and electronic communication (p. 6). There is very little “think” time.
In the introduction, the author notes Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. And what is happening to our brains definitely interferes with deep work. So if you’re intrigued about developing the superpower of deep concentration on your work to combat the war on your brain, considering taking a deep dive into this book.
And if you’d like some help getting started on deep work, try watching Dr. Newport’s Ted Talk about getting off social media.
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