These videos are really helping me accomplish more in my day. Not only in productivity, but satisfaction finishing my day. I'm definitely heading over to read the article to get a better idea of the different types. I already utilize a playlist and it's super helpful.
Such a fantastic post. The Deep work frame is super helpful; it couldn’t have presented itself at a more opportune time. I was drowning in shallow work. I’ve been using it for 2 months now, and it has really made my life more manageable and enjoyable. Thank you, Todoist!
Love how you deliver your videos - very engaging. Shallow work is the lovely low-hanging fruit we can deal with all day and every day. I've done that and soon realised that the deep work that mattered was taking second place. Not engaging with that deep work put me under pressure as it had deadlines and putting it off was not a sensible idea. For me, the deep work environment has to be distraction-free - no music, no snacks, no email messages, no social media sites and no texts. I'd advise telling colleagues you do NOT want to be disturbed really does help (glaring at them to reinforce the message is essential!) Equally, booking out a break-out room away from the usual open plan office works. More importantly, it's my own mindset that has to be right. If I've bought into the fact that I WILL spend X hours on a deep work task then I will do just that.
I read Cal Newport’s 'Deep Work' late last year and was immediately inspired to incorporate its principles into my schedule. Even after more than nine months, I still apply many of the book’s ideas in my work. However, one key lesson I’ve learned is to start small and take breaks. The book includes an example of a developer who gradually built up to working four hours in a single stretch. I tried to replicate this but found it quite challenging-four hours felt like an eternity. It’s important to build your deep work routine gradually to find your own optimal focus period. Currently, I use a combination of the 50-10 Pomodoro technique with Deep Work, and I will start to incorporate labels into my workflow, as Naomi suggested. I hope this helps-starting small is crucial.
Super insightful video! I know I am bombarded with shallow work constantly, and I'm looking forward to more intentionally carving out time for deep work. I agree, that deep work is the work that is most impactful, but it can be difficult to find the time to do, and also, difficult to get your mind and environment in a state where you can focus and do the deep work.
Super helpful thanks Naomi. These videos have been super handy for coming up with ideas to have greater productivity in our workplace. Our work requires deep work and often gets shipwrecked by small jobs. So we've found penciling in deep work time as a "meeting" in the sense we are required to be there and non contactable.
I schedule both types of work (shallow & focused) in the same day: focused work to progress on my projects, shallow work for that dopamine hit when I can finish a task fast. My tip is standard: use a playlist that will help you get focused and will not distract you, and prepare in advance all the drinks and snacks you'd want to sip on/eat while deep working 👍
Is there a way to keep the completed tasks on the calendar view? This helps for the end of week reviews to see how I spent my time, and plan ahead accordingly.
Just my two cents to improve deep work for those who might have to use a computer and do research online and have to use a webbrowser for some other purpose: create a different profile/workspace or whatever your browser of choice offers, with a different set of bookmarks and/or tabs for deep work. Also most operating systems these days allow you to set different wallpapers for individual virtual desktops, to help change your state of mind, just like your physical space. Some operating systems even allow you to associate certain applications with a desktop or activity, so they are only pinned on the dock/taskbar of those desktops (or alternatively are NOT pinned to your deep-work desktop). Alternatively going a step further, though perhaps more simple to grasp: create a different user-account for 'deep work', if you are able/are allowed to. Although whether this is practical or not depends on what you do.
Superb video, Naomi! I love Cal Newport's work - his Slow Productivity book is incredible. I agree that a Pomodoro (or similar) timer is a must, As a "morning person" I'll schedule my deep work from 9-12pm, the afternoon can then be the shallow stuff - emails, calls, plus a bit of planning/tidies.
Super easy straight forward tip on deep work: Time block! I don't what it is with my brain but when I actually get to scheduling a specific period where I'll only do a certain task, my brain just wants to stick to that. Unlike just having a list of different things I have to do, time blocking to just work on one project helps me dive into a flow where I trust myself in working through said task and that I only have to focus on this one thing.
Excellent video! I already do timers to focus on those big tasks that I will now label in Todoist as Deep Work 😊. One thing I will try is to set up a shortcut on my iPhone to start 3 timers automatically: the deep work, break and shallow work timers with the hope to automate the process. Maybe I can add a playlist to it as well 😇.
Brilliant! Thanks, Naomi! The labels are a great idea. I've tried to separate the two types of concentration but I have to check each task and ask myself the question: deep or shallow? The labels will help me choose my tasks. I also use the Pomodoro method for my deep work, which greatly helps me. I will define how many ‘pomodoros’ I need for this or that task. and thanks for the playlist, a bit too rhythmic but I'll give it a chance anyway and I'll add it to my favourites. ciao, n 🌞
I find the pomodoro method (25 minutes work 5 minutes rest 4 times then a 15-30 minute break) a good way to get started if it's a task I don't want to do. Often after the first one or two pomodoros I'll just keep working as it gets me started on the task. I've found for programming if I need to use the technique for extended periods it can be more useful to do 50 minute work with 10 minute rest so you can really get into the problem you're trying to solve.
Lovely video again. I need to clear my desk - and make sure I have only 1 screen open for the next day. Within like half an hour my desk and desktop is a chaos. Carl Pullein mentioned Todoist, and that is the best thing for my productivity. I need to go back to Todoist a lot to stay on track. What helps is the Pomodoro on deep work. I will then compete to myself to finish something (even deep work).
Great video! One thing I like to do is block time in my calendar and include "Deep Work" in the subject line followed by whatever activity I plan on doing (ex: "Deep Work - Draft Presentation"). I know exactly what I want to accomplish during that block (based on my tasks/projects in Todoist of course), and it's another signal to my brain that this is an intentional deep work block. It also makes me think twice about booking over it/deciding to do something else.
Thank you so much Naomi for this great motivational video 🤩💪 📈 My advice on how to maintain focus is to roughly divide working time into blocks. I break the large blocks into smaller ones. I can change this as I work if necessary. That's why the new calendar view is great. 👍 You can incorporate the pomodoro technique 🍅, which I use most often after lunch, because that's when I lose focus the most.
Good video. My advise: Set specific, distraction-free time blocks and focus on one task with full intensity. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method to maintain productivity and avoid burnout.
Excellent video! The pomodoro timer is essential for me for deep work. Take the breaks (I do 50/10) for increased production. The key is I take the break in my office. Stand and stretch, check messages and then put the phone away again.
Hi, Thanks for the great info! I have been using a schedule where I complete a morning routine, then check into work (shallow) for messages, etc. just ahead of a daily stand up (shallow). Then I schedule deep work for 8:30am-12:30pm. At 12:30, I have a checkpoint where I determine if I need to continue with another round of deep work or, I can start working through a daily routine of shallow tasks. Thanks for the video! 😃
My only suggestion to any type of work switch up is to accept who you are and how you currently work. If you are a slow starter shallow might work best for the start of your day. If you are focused in the morning then the opposite might be true. Don't try and change too much or wipe your slate clean start working it in a way that fits. You may end up changing completely however I think starting that way makes it more difficult.
Thank you! I needed to hear this. A new candle is being purchased, focus playlist and the door shut. Deep work is how I want to stand out in my new business! 🎉
I am a huge fan of Cal’s and love when I get into a deep work flow, but atm it happens sometimes and not others. The routine idea is very helpful. I think I’ll start with the specific deep work playlist idea!
