Applying “deep work” principles allows freelance writers and nonfiction authors to get more high-quality work done in less time, and that’s what we’re all about here at Productive Writers.
So What Is Deep Work?
Cal Newport’s highly successful (and highly recommended) book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World came out in 2016. While the concept itself is not new, he clarifies what it is and, more importantly, what we as writers need to do to get more Deep Work done. Here’s Cal’s definition:
“Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.”
What Does This Mean for Us as Writers?
The book is widely applicable across many types of work that involve high levels of creativity and skill. In this post I focus on what this means for those of us who make our living by writing.
Professional activities
Your writing!
Performed in a state of distraction-free concentration
This is crucial. I have much more to say about this below.
That push your cognitive capabilities to their limit
This happens when you fully focus on your writing project, giving it your complete attention and using all of your skills.
These efforts create new value
In our case, we are creating work of high value to our customers and to the marketplace.
Improve your skill
When you write at your highest level of concentration and focus, when you push yourself to be as good as possible and as efficient as possible, you develop stronger neural connections in your brain that will improve your overall professional skills, making you better at what you do and thus more valuable.
And are hard to replicate
The better you are, the better you rank relative to the competition in your field — which means you can charge premium prices for your freelance writing or get more book contracts and sell more books.
Cal has an equation that neatly captures the essence of Deep Work:
High-Quality Work Produced = Time Spent x Intensity of Focus
So What Is Shallow Work?
Cal Newport again:
“Noncognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted.”
The distraction usually comes in the form of social media, your smartphone, or mindless web surfing. Some of the tasks can be necessary — such as answering important emails, staying current on professional trends, or researching new markets — but they can all be done much more efficiently when you’re not distracted, and they can also be done outside of your Deep Work time (more below).
Getting Your “Deep Work” Writing Done
Designate Specific Time Periods
Identify the best time or times during the day when you know you can focus on your work with minimal or no distractions from the outside world. Try to find a block of at least 60 minutes, although 2-3 hours is best.
If your life allows it, consider setting aside several days or even weeks to concentrate solely on your important projects.
Focus on Your Important Projects
Work only on that which is of the highest importance and takes all of your skill and concentration.
Focus on Both Product and Process
We’ve talked about different types of goals at Productive Writers. A product goal is something you can actually measure, like a complete article, a book chapter, or a certain number of words completed in a certain amount of time.
A process goal, by contrast, focuses on how you do something. For example, paying attention to how well you focus on your work, or how efficient you are at getting the work done.
Too often we get discouraged because we’re missing our product goals, but, if we’re focused and efficient, we’re doing the best we can; we likely have just set unrealistic product goals that need to be readjusted.
Create Rituals
This is whatever works for you. It could be cleaning everything off your desk except for the current project. It could be making a cup of tea or coffee. A ritual cues your brain that it’s time to to do the real work.
Measure It!
Keep a running tally of how much Deep Work you get done in a day, a week, a month. It’s motivating both to see how much you’ve done and how much more you can potentially do, especially if you see a period of time where you did substantially less than you know you could have.
Defeating Distractions and Conserving Your Energy
Schedule Down Time
Your brain needs time to rest and time for your subconscious to process work issues and come up with solutions. You need specific time away from your work and anything work related.
I’ve had a lot of success with a key suggestion of Cal’s: Set a specific time for the day after which you will only engage in pleasurable activities or those of daily living: no work! Set it for late afternoon or early evening and then stick to it.
You should also seek to have at least one day a week completely free of work.
Schedule Distraction
You still want to wander the Internet? You still want to spend 30 minutes a day on FacebookThat’s OK, as long as it’s within reason, and, most importantly, as long as you put it as a time block on your daily schedule and that you only do it during that time block, not as an impulse move you make when your important tasks get tough.
You Need To-Do Lists!
You must have both a running list of the things you need to do and a detailed time chart for every day in which you schedule all the day’s tasks.
What about when your daily schedule gets off track, either because things take longer despite your best efforts, or because unexpected events arise? That’s OK. Just adjust your schedule and move some items to the next day if necessary — but keep that detailed daily time chart!
Read the Book
I’m serious. This book has had a huge impact on both the quality and the quantity of my writing.
Buy it here. Or try your local library (likely a long waiting list) or your local bookstore.
Your Take
Are you satisfied with the quality and quantity of your writing? Would applying Deep Work principles help you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Interesting, John. Do you have more info on the detailed time charts you mentioned?
I do time block for creativity and I’m again tracking all my time. Long ago I started writing in silence… not even as a result of a decision… just like it better.
Looking forward to reading the book.
Anne, I use a 8.5″ x 11″ lined notepad for my time charts, and I write them by hand.
You’re already using important Deep Work principles. I think you’ll find the book will help you do even better.
Thanks, John… yeah, I’ll look for the work. Right now todoist and google calendar seem to be handling my tracking stuff… I love the idea of paper and pen and I can’t read my own writing half the time!
I prefer to use paper for daily schedules and Word documents for to-do lists, in part because I don’t have to connect to the Internet to use them, and in part because I have a good system that works for me.
Thanks John. Some simple tactics can make a big difference. When I have a project that requires full concentration, I empty my screen of all windows (which usually include a browser, my email and an instant message app, and sometimes Twitter), and turn off all sounds and alerts. Makes a huge difference (and reduces anxiety too).
Lots of good stuff in this post.
Excellent, Tom. I have all sounds and alerts turned off at all times. I try to check email only 2-3 times a day, except when I post here, when I check more frequently so I can answer comments.
John, this is excellent. Love how you made the connection between the author’s points and our own writing. One comment I would make (at least for me) is that you have to be flexible in your blocked off time. Personal commitments come up (like caring for my almost 94-year-old mother – and I’m sure working moms as well) that can disrupt even the best-laid plans. It doesn’t mean throwing out the product and process, just adjusting it.
Life definitely does throw the unexpected at us, or a task could take longer than we expected. The solution is, as you say, to adjust accordingly. Deep Work author Cal Newport says we need to make the necessary changes in our daily schedule and perhaps move an item or two to the next day.
Hi John, Really like this post – sweeping everything aside for some deep work is one of life’s pleasures!
Thanks
Bren
Bren, I also find that I really enjoy my Deep Work time.
Hi John,
I just found your site, and am devouring your content.
I agree that Deep Work is a profoundly helpful book. Newport’s clarity of thought is really impressive – I just wish I was as capable of seeing the wood for the trees!
Identifying the work that actually moves you closer to your goals is getting harder and harder. I value Newport’s approach to figuring it out.
Thanks again – new subscriber here!
Thanks for subscribing, and I’m glad you like the content here at Productive Writers.
Cal Newport’s work has really helped me set priorities and get more done. I do hope you’ll read “Deep Work.”