Deep work explained
Writing, coding, research and strategy all need long stretches of unbroken attention. Even short glances at chat or email make it harder to get back into the problem.
Deep work needs protection: a time block, notifications off, and a clear task before you start. Most people manage three to four hours of it a day at most.
Try it today
- Schedule one 90-minute deep work block for tomorrow.
- Close chat and email, and put your phone in another room.
- Write the single outcome you want from the block before you begin.
Where it comes from
Cal Newport defined the term in his 2016 book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.
Frequently asked questions
- What is deep work?
- Deep work is focused, distraction-free work on a cognitively demanding task, the kind that builds skill and produces hard-to-copy results.
- Where does deep work come from?
- Cal Newport defined the term in his 2016 book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.
- How do I start with deep work?
- Schedule one 90-minute deep work block for tomorrow. Close chat and email, and put your phone in another room. Write the single outcome you want from the block before you begin.
- Which tools help with deep work?
- Tools in our directory that help include Focusmate, Freedom, Deep Questions Podcast, Cal Newport's Study Hacks Blog. Each has its own page with pricing, pros and cons.