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Introduction Deep Work by Cal Newport
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World (2016) by Cal Newport, Buy on Amazon, explores how to improve output through enhanced focus. It offers an alternative to the modern office workers’ constant connectivity. Newport’s central idea is that intense focus is the key to producing high-quality work.
The Good and the Bad of Deep Work
Cal Newport challenges knowledge workers to avoid busyness and focus on things that require concentration, what he calls “deep work.” However, this concept doesn’t apply to everyone.
The Good of Deep Work
Cal Newport explains how to improve at producing complicated projects. Deep Work shows there’s an alternative to spending the entire day bouncing between meetings while answering emails only to wonder, “Where did my day go?”
Focus on Complex Work
Rather than present hacks to squeeze out more output without regard to importance, Newport explains that not all work is equal. He recommends setting aside large blocks of time for complex work.
By setting aside time to work uninterrupted, he helps you find a state of flow, which he refers to as “deep work.”
Writers, coders, problem solvers, artists, and anyone else who creates will improve productivity and concentration using Deep Work’s insights.
Insightful Critique of Modern Work Culture
Deep Work’s critique of modern work culture is spot on. It challenges the misconception that “busyness” equals productivity. Furthermore, it explains how current trends, such as social media and email, lead to constant task-switching, which damages focus and reduces performance.
Newport identifies these distractions as the main obstacle to deep work. The book encourages readers to set limits that minimize interruptions.
Actionable Advice
Newport explains both the theory and how to apply it. He recommends developing new work habits, such as time blocking and limiting work in progress (WIP). Doing so will allow more time for Deep Work.
Additionally, he explains how to avoid distractions through digital minimalism, end your day with a shutdown ritual, and accept boredom as a part of life.
The Bad of Deep Work
This book is not worthwhile for everyone. You must also be prepared to experiment with his concepts as implementation advice is lacking. There’s also a touch of academic snobbery in this book.
Limited Applicability
One downside of Deep Work is that it fails to acknowledge its limitations. First, it focuses on knowledge workers without ever defining what one is. Its concepts require high autonomy, which Newport has in academia and tech, but the average employee does not.
Also, if you work in a role requiring a lot of communication, administration, or many competing priorities, these principles will be difficult to apply. Additionally, blue-collar and service workers won’t find much applicable advice.
Lack of Depth
Another concern is the lack of details around implementation. Newport also presents classic productivity techniques like time blocking and batching with little explanation of their use. He gives anecdotes when the topics need detailed scenarios or cases studies.
Academic Tone with a Touch of Elitism
Newport fills his work with unnecessary jargon—inventing words for existing concepts. Too much time is spent on theory and too little on practical application.
More disturbing is his framing of work as either shallow or deep. His choice of shallow conveys how he thinks about people who work on administrative tasks. I hope his office manager doesn’t read his book.
Finally, there’s an underlying assumption that only individual work is deep and meaningful. Interacting with others is the domain of his “shallow” work.
Summary Deep Work
Deep Work presents some great insights for a subset of people. You will find this book helpful if you work on anything requiring in-depth attention.
Who Should Read It?
Anyone who engages in work that requires high cognitive effort—creators, writers, coders, engineers, artists, etc. Also, you will find sound advice here if you feel distraction is holding you back at work.
Who Should Skip It?
Those with careers in blue-collar, service, collaboration, logistical, administrative, or jobs with frequent task switching should avoid this book. Moreover, if you are looking for quick wins and actionable productivity hacks, you won’t find any here.
Wrap-Up
For the right people, Deep Work is an excellent book. For the wrong audience, it’s a waste of time. I hope you figure out which camp you belong to.
Conclusion
There’s always more to read on this topic. Explore our full guide on personal productivity. Or you can view more productivity book reviews.
I thrive on recommendations and feedback. Hit me up in the comments section or join me on Reddit at (opens new tab) r/Remove_Work_Advice. I would love to hear from you if you have read Deep Work or if you have any thoughts to share.
For background on the who, what, and why of remoteworkadvice.com, check out our Home Page. Thank you for reading, and best of luck with your productivity journey!
Additional Information
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About Cal Newport
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University. He is known for his books on productivity and work philosophy.
From his website: “Cal is the author of eight books, including, most recently, Slow Productivity, A World Without Email, Digital Minimalism, and Deep Work. His titles have cumulatively sold well over 2,000,000 copies, have been published in more than 40 languages, and include multiple New York Times bestsellers.”
Cal Newport’s Books
Heads up. If you click on “Buy on Amazon” next to any book title, it will open a new page for that book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—think of it as a productivity tip jar. Your support is highly optional but always appreciated.
- Newport, C. (2016). Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. United States: Grand Central Publishing. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2024). Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout. United States: Penguin Publishing Group. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2023). The Time-Block Planner: A Daily Method of Deep Work in a Distracted World. United States: Portfolio/Penguin. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2021). A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload. United States: Penguin Publishing Group. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2019). Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. United Kingdom: Penguin Publishing Group. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2012). So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love. United States: Grand Central Publishing. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2010). How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out). United States: Crown. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2007). How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less. United States: Crown. Buy on Amazon
- Newport, C. (2005). How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country’s Top Students. United States: Crown. Buy on Amazon
Cal Newport Online
Website: calnewport.com
Blog: Decoding Depth
Wikipedia: Cal Newport
YouTube: Cal Newport
Podcast: The Deep Life by Cal Newport
Other Deep Work Reviews
- Nguyen, P. (2017). Pretty terrible: I read Cal Newport’s Deep Work so you don’t have to. Retrieved from https://www.pretty-terrible.com/i-read-cal-newports-deep-work-so-you-dont-have-to/
- Expords. (2021). Deep work – book review. Expords. Retrieved from Deep Work- Book Review – Expords
- The New Rationalist Magazine. (2018). Deep Work by Cal Newport. Retrieved from https://newrationalist.com/deep-work-by-cal-newport/
- Robinson, D. (2017). Review: Deep Work by Cal Newport. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@dkr/review-deep-work-by-cal-newport-7ac86f2cf984
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Deep work means focusing without distractions on complex tasks. This kind of work creates value, hones your skills, and is hard to copy. In a distracting, multitasking world, intense concentration is becoming a rare skill. He predicts those who choose “deep work” will achieve exceptional performance.
Newport outlines four scheduling models:
1. Monastic: Withdrawing from daily life to focus on work. E.g., spending six months in a cabin to write a book.
2. Bimodal: Dividing large periods of time into deep work or “normal” days. E.g., committing Mondays and Fridays to deep work and all else to normal life.
3. Rhythmic: Time-blocking specific times for deep work. E.g., scheduling two hours of writing for every morning.
4. Journalistic: Fitting deep work into spare moments. E.g., using a free thirty minutes between two other commitments.
Most people will use Bimodal or Rhythmic. Monastic is unrealistic for general use, while Journalistic produces minimal results due to its limited commitment.
* Time block both deep work and potential distractors (email, social media, etc.).
* Embrace digital minimalism.
* Use rituals to reinforce. Focus on Deep Work in specific contexts (time, location, etc.) or use warmups.
* Hold yourself accountable (progress tracking or accountability partners).
* Get buy-in for Deep Work from your relationships (bosses, family, friends, and roommates).