DEEP, FOCUSED WORK
THE MAXIMUM USE OF GOLD HOURS

(In process, but usable.)

"I live the focused life, because it's the best kind there is."  Winifred Gallagher

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THE RULES

__ You preschedule the time, standard week(2)
__You NEVER do anything else but deep work during the scheduled time for it(1)
__ Never go forth without taking a moment to devise a smart plan.
__ Desk is cleared of all other things.
__ Close the internet on your computer
__ A do not disturb sign is hung on the door knob, and the door is closed.
__ The phone is not answered(3)
__ Continue on the project until finished; no jumping between horses
__ Stop at the end of your scheduled time.
__ Hold yourself accountable for "lead" (not just lag) measures, graphed or compelling shown.  Write out what led to bad performance and figure out specific actions to ensure good performance.
__ Avoid lots of (seemingly harmless) small obligations and any big time consuming ones!
__ Schedule idleness, and strictly adhere to the time and allowing no work into it.
__ Each period is wrapped up completely at the end, all reviewed, notes for continuing, scheduled followup.
,
(1) except of course true emergencies, and somebody else coming into your office is NOT an emergency, it is an outside imposed demand which you will NOT accept.
(2) If there is an unavoidable interruption, you will reschedule the time.
(3) There should not be many exceptions.


Deep Work:  Highest value "activities performed in a distraction-free intense concentration that pushes your cognitive capabilities to their limit.  These effots create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate."  Deep Work, Cal Newport.

This work is aimed only at the hugely valuable.

THE BENEFITS

Much higher value is produced
Intense focus multiplies value
Go into "flow" (a blissful concentration)
Faster, better, deeper learning
Increased quality
Increased speed
Increased creativity
More enjoyable (actually!)
More rewarding
Clarity about what matters, no "vague imperatives" allowed (reduces anxiety)
Life becomes richer

Helps you achieve more of your human potential and to flourish

"Deep work is way more powerful than most people understand."  It will create a "transformative experience." 

"You'll discover that it generates a life rich with productivity and meaning."

You will see better results when you have a long period period of uninterrupted time.

"Without structure, it's easy to allow your time to devolve into the shallow."
Characteristics

__ Undistracted
__ "Lots of long, consecutive, uninterrupted time chunks"
GETTING THE TIME SET ASIDE

"Take the time to find an approach that makes sense for you.."
__ Retreats
__ Bill Gates' 2/year Think Weeks
__ Set aside a whole day

__Free up from and minimze shallow work
__Take on no lengthy assignments and no fixed obligations, unless absolutely necessary for financial purposes.
The unsuccessful

Put a checkmark in each of these you do.

__"State of fragmented attention"
__"Distracted dashes"
__ Drawn to easy
__ Follow path of least resistance
__ Don't filter out the irrelevant
__Respond to "on-demand" distractions
__ Allow external requests
__ Subject to internal whims
Set the exact time
Quiet location (or earphones)
Build strict rituals and routines.
Schedule every minute of your day