https://blog.doist.com/deep-work/

Introduction

• Deep work is becoming increasingly rare and valuable at the same time, thus the best time to embrace it is now. The author proves these points in Chapter: 1-3 and provides action plans in the remainder of the book.

Chapter1: Deep work is valuable

• Three types of people definitely to succeed in contemporary economy and world setup: High skilled workers, The superstars, the owners.
• The first two categories require two qualities:
  • The ability to learn hard things, again and again.
  • The ability to produce at an elite level.
• The author explains how deep work helps in acquisition and cultivation of both of these qualities. High quality work produced = time spent X the intensity of focus.

Chapter2: Deep work is rare

• How current world setup, company cultures, our methods of measuring and quantifying productivity, etc are making deep work rare.
• Deep work is hard. People tend towards doing easier things(path of least resistance).
• Metric black hole: No underlying baseline to measure against. Lack of clarity on goals. In absence of clear indicators of what means to be productive and valuable in a role, many knowledge workers tend towards an industrial indicator of productivity: doing a lot of stuff in a visible manner(staying online, replying quickly to mails, etc).
• Busyness is used a proxy to productivity.

Chapter3: Deep work is meaningful

Author proves how deep work provides contentment, satisfaction and helps you derive meaning out of your work. He takes three views: neurological, psychological and the philosophical point of view.

• Craftsmanship as a quality, the ‘flow’ state of mind.
• The misconception around deriving job satisfaction out of job specifics instead of the approach taken to do the job.