2-3-4 Friday - A case for deep work

‘Seeking to spark the most potential within you per word of any online newsletter’

1 thought

One thing that strikes me is this: 

We are barely scratching the surface of our human potential. 

Can you imagine what would happen if we were truly able to unclog our potential as knowledge workers? 

 

Let’s be honest, yes? 

 

If we look at the ways we work now, we are definitely not flourishing. If you tell me that:

• picking up your phone 117 times a day, on average 
• spending 3h 47 minutes a day on your phone, on average
• checking your email every 5.4 minutes, on average

is the way we do our best work … you must be joking. 

 

We are working in a way that doesn’t encourage deep, focused attention on difficult problems, or the use of our skillcraft in a special, holistic manner. Instead, we notice our attention being fragmented by the likes of Technology, at every moment. 

 

I’m no Luddite.

 

But its scary what technology is doing to the state of our human ability to focus, and to generate deep, insightful thinking about the problems of our day. For real insightful thinking to happen, we need to be at a place where we can constantly play with a problem, and not have to worry about the next message that’s coming in. We need to have that uninterrupted block of time to tease out the nuances of the problem, and find gaps where we can begin a thrust of attack. 

 

We need time to think. But when our worlds are now tethered to constant notifications, markers of social approval, news that screams for our attention, its nigh impossible to batten down the hatches and think. 

 

I want to encourage you, because only you can make the decision about what kind of a life you want to lead - that you consider a deeplife. A life that’s spent sitting on a bus, watching the scenery pass, rather than scrolling through your news feed. A life that’s spent curling up with a book, rather than curling your arms round your phone. A life that’s spent with your chin on your palms, just looking at the world go by. 

 

It’s scary. But it’s what makes life so worthy. 

1 talk

1 tip 

The case for deep work isn’t a dream. In his book ‘A World Without Email’, Cal Newport studied company after company who had untethered themselves from email and instant messaging services, and found themselves more effective. 

 

This constant battle for our attention isn’t something we have to live with. It’s something that you can opt out of. For starters, delete the news apps on your phone. Then the social media apps. Then switch off all the notifications on your phone. 

 

How do people contact you? If it were that serious, they would call. Honestly, as painful as this may sound, 

 

You just might not be so important. 

 

Technology has preyed on our human desire to feel needed, and constantly in demand. The result? You bringing your phone, even to the toilet. 

 

I told you. It’s not pretty.

 

John - LiveYoung,LiveWell