![Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2016] Newport, Cal](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61TkOFwquPL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
I received this book TODAY and have been tearing through it. I can always rely on Cal to produce high-quality argument-type books, which identify serious, modern-day problems (usually related to human cognition, concentration and productivity) and then propose solutions. His prior book, Digital Minimalism, was my favorite book of 2019.
The clarity in Cal's thinking is second to none. He is garnering a rabid fan base because of his demonstrable success as he practices what he preaches. I just discovered his podcast (Deep Questions), and absolutely love that too. He speaks like he writes: with precision and wisdom; Every word is concise and useful. And of course, his blog is central to his hive of followers, which I have not consumed that much of to be honest. But I read is prior works of Digital Minimalism, Deep Work, and So Good they Can't Ignore You. They were all extremely satisfying reads. You'll love his work if you like personal development, self-actualization, productivity, and living an intentional, well-balanced life.
I'm a sucker for research books on the effects of modern-day consumer tech. And Cal owns this space. He puts his professorial research skills to use as a purveyor of desperately needed insights in a world dominated by distraction. We check our email inboxes every six minutes. Email has "transformed our workflow" under our noses. It's a "radical shift" in work culture, which has amounted to a drag on productivity. It's a "constant state of unease in a low-grade background of humdrum anxiety." Those are just a couple of gem, hard-hitting quotes you'll find in this book.
Consistent with his other books, Cal keeps the table of contents simple and efficient. It has two parts: 1) The Case Against Email and 2) Principles in a World without Email. I'm a practicing lawyer and I very much appreciate Cal's thesis type of writing. His prose has always been crisp, punchy, and persuasive. He comes across in all mediums as honest, smart, and prescient.
I will check back in when I finish the book, or will post my final review on Goodreads. Cal, thank you SO much. I've been telling my friends that I've been waiting for your follow-up to Digital Minimalism. I learned of this book through your podcast feature on Todd Henry's Accidental Creative.
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Popular Highlights in this book
The Attention Capital Principle The productivity of the knowledge sector can be significantly increased if we identify workflows that better optimize the human brain’s ability to sustainably add value to information.Highlighted by 1,677 Kindle readers- The Specialization Principle In the knowledge sector, working on fewer things, but doing each thing with more quality and accountability, can be the foundation for significantly more productivity.Highlighted by 1,467 Kindle readers
- The Process Principle Introducing smart production processes to knowledge work can dramatically increase performance and make the work much less draining.Highlighted by 1,380 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
Learning to put email in its proper place
I’m in a phase of my business as a writer where I’m studying how to create a mindset where I’m balancing deliberate work with deliberate rest.Managing the various tasks required of me as an Indie writer would become overwhelming if I didn’t take the time to learn how to think and work smart. Cal’s newest book, A World Without Email gave me tools to give email its proper attention while keeping the main thrust of my business — creating awesome content for my novels — my primary focus.
Top reviews from other countries
KlaraMaraPara
Interessante behandlung eines wichtigen Problems unserer modernen Gesellschaft
Reviewed in Germany on March 21, 2021Chiraag
Thought Provoking and Insightful - Offering Practical solutions to find better focus without email
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2021
Chiraag
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2021
I have been in jobs where the rate of email and the expectation of quick responses has meant that I am constantly checking emails and reacting to requests. From the start of day, till the end of the week, all the attention and work is around email. The issue with this is you are constantly in reactive mode, spend more time on reading and responding to emails than actual work on tasks. This is what Cal refers to as the Hyperactive Hive Mind.
If you have read Deep Work then you will appreciate how important focused time is to produce high quality output and workplaces today with their constant focus on email or IM communications means that people are constantly trying to multitask and have divided attention spans. In the first part of the book, Cal presents the evidence of how Email reduces productivity, makes us miserable and has a mind of it's own.
The second part of the book focuses on the principles to allow for solutions for this. It also has case studies of organisations where they have adopted these principles and dramatically reduced the need and use of email. The four principles covered are the Attention Capital Principle, The Process Principle, the Protocol Principle and Specialization Principle.
The book has an academic style of writing which you will be used to if you have read Cal's other books and I think it really helps do a great job of painting the picture of how email communication became the problem it is now, how it impacts as and what we can do about it. The solutions aspects of the book aren't revolutionary but combined with the case studies and examples of what can be done, they provide a great framework for a change of attitude towards email and what can be done to actually improve productivity in the workplace.
If you are an employee you may not have as much influence in some of the solutions but you may be able to influence those you work with to understand the detrimental effect of email and other solutions including the use of collaborative software. Organisation leaders and owners could really get inspired with what is possible without email to start bringing in changes to how they work. It is not an easy change but one that is desperately needed. I urge you to read this book, also read Deep Work if you haven't and listen to Cal Newport's podcast - Deep Questions which are a great resource to help to adopt this mindset. I will continue to revisit these three resources and play my part in my workplace setting. We can collectively start to make things better. Let's not give in to the norm of the Hyperactive Hive Mind and create changes to support us to work in a more productive and focused manner.
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