Deep Work

Cal Newport’s Deep Work is a well-written overview of how to focus for fun and profit. It’s divided conceptually into two parts: Why to focus deeply, and how to do it.

Newport is a concise and direct writer, and is eminently up to the challenge of explaining both areas, using examples alongside evaluations starting from first principles, making this an effective argument for and guide to focused work.

For example, he outlines several reasons why one would want to focus deeply, in broad categories like “It has benefits”, and “Nobody else is doing it, so those who do have a competitive advantage”. This structure works well for the intended purpose.

Group therapy

I read this as part of a group at work, and it was valuable to discuss it in that format: A lot of the friction in adopting focus-friendly behaviors is in the worry of how those behaviors will be perceived in the workplace. Talking about it in a group of co-workers is a helpful way to address challenges in a particular workplace.

There is also something heartening about having a group to take action with, when it involves setting expectations for behavior in the workplace: At least you won’t be the only one trying it out!