Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare. If you master this skill, you’ll achieve extraordinary results.

Deep Work is an indispensable guide to anyone seeking focused success in a distracted world.

‘Cal Newport is exceptional in the realm of self-help authors’ New York Times

‘Deep work’ is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by author and professor Cal Newport on his popular blog Study Hacks, deep work will make you better at what you do, let you achieve more in less time and provide the sense of true fulfilment that comes from the mastery of a skill. In short, deep work is like a superpower in our increasingly competitive economy.

And yet most people, whether knowledge workers in noisy open-plan offices or creatives struggling to sharpen their vision, have lost the ability to go deep – spending their days instead in a frantic blur of email and social media, not even realising there’s a better way.

A mix of cultural criticism and actionable advice, DEEP WORK takes the reader on a journey through memorable stories — from Carl Jung building a stone tower in the woods to focus his mind, to a social media pioneer buying a round-trip business class ticket to Tokyo to write a book free from distraction in the air — and surprising suggestions, such as the claim that most serious professionals should quit social media and that you should practice being bored.

Put simply: developing and cultivating a deep work practice is one of the best decisions you can make in an increasingly distracted world and this book will point the way.

As a presence on the page, Newport is exceptional in the realm of self-help authors New York Times Book Review

DEEP WORK accomplishes two considerable tasks: One is putting out a wealth of concrete practices for the ambitious, without relying on gauzy clichés. The second is that Mr. Newport resists the corporate groupthink of constant connectivity without seeming like a curmudgeon Wall Street Journal

As automation and outsourcing reshape the workplace, what new skill do we need? The ability to do deep work. Cal Newport’s exciting new book is an introduction and guide to the kind of intense concentration in a distraction-free environment that results in fast, powerful learning and performance. Think of it as calisthenics for your mind-and start your exercise program today. — Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and To Sell Is Human

DEEP WORK makes a compelling case for cultivating intense focus, and offers immediately actionable steps for infusing more of it into our lives. — Adam M. Grant, author of Give and Take

Cal Newport is a clear voice in a sea of noise, bringing science and passion in equal measure. We don’t need more clicks, more cats, and more emojis. We need brave work, work that happens when we refuse to avert our eyes. — Seth Godin, author of What to Do When It’s Your Turn

Cal Newport offers the most well-informed and astute collection of practical advice I have seen for reclaiming one’s mental powers. — Matthew B. Crawford, author of The World Beyond Your Head

Just when you think you already know this stuff, DEEP WORK hits you with surprisingly unique and useful insights. Rule #3 alone, with its discussion of the ‘Any-Benefit’ mind-set, is worth the price of this book. — Derek Sivers, founder, Sivers.org

Here lies a playbook for professionals of all stripes to achieve true differentiation in a crowded talent marketplace. Cal Newport’s latest shows why he is one of the most provocative thinkers on the future of work. — Ben Casnocha, co-author of The Start-Up Of You

In this strong self-help book, Newport declares that the habits of modern professionals-checking email at all hours, rushing from meeting to meeting, and valuing multitasking above all else-only stand in the way of truly valuable work Publisher’s Weekly

[A] worthwhile distraction. ValueWalk

DEEP WORK is the killer app of the knowledge economy: it is only by concentrating intensely that you can master a difficult discipline or solve a demanding problem The Economist

This is a deep, not shallow, book which can enrich your life The Globe and Mail

A wonderfully entangled, intertwined, and erudite series of strategies, philosophies, disciplines, and techniques to sharpen your focus and dive deep into your work 800-CEO-READ

DEEP WORK is now one of my all-time favorite books, and I’m not joking when I say it was a life-changing read for me. I think it can be for you too — Brett McKay, author of The Art of Manliness

What emerges most powerfully is the sense that it’s wrong to think of deep work as one more thing you’ve got to try to cram into your schedule. Truly committing to it, Newport suggests, transforms the rest of your time – so you’ll crank through shallow work faster, be more present in your home life, and eliminate time wasted switching between tasks. Depth, in short, isn’t at odds with a full life – it facilitates it. I’m persuaded. — Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian

Engaging and substantive … Deep Work accomplishes two considerable tasks: One is putting out a wealth of concrete practices for the ambitious, without relying on gauzy clichés. The second is that Mr. Newport resists the corporate groupthink of constant connectivity without seeming like a curmudgeon. The Wall Street Journal

Cal Newport is a clear voice in a sea of noise, bringing science and passion in equal measure. We don’t need more clicks, more cats, and more emojis. We need brave work, work that happens when we refuse to avert our eyes. — Seth Godin, author of Linchpin

Deep Work makes a compelling case for cultivating intense focus, and offers immediately actionable steps for infusing more of it into our lives. — Adam M. Grant, author of Originals

As automation and outsourcing reshape the workplace, what new skill do we need? The ability to do deep work. Cal Newport’s exciting new book is an introduction and guide to the kind of intense concentration in a distraction-free environment that results in fast, powerful learning and performance. Think of it as calisthenics for your mind-and start your exercise program today. — Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive

A fascinating book by American university professor Cal Newport… he provides excellent practical strategies for overcoming modern distractions — Yoni Birnaum Jewish Chronicle

Stop worrying about what you feel like doing (and what the world owes you) and instead, start creating something meaningful and then give it to the world. Cal really delivers with this one. – praise for SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU

Cal Newport ably demonstrates how the quest for ‘passion’ can corrode job satisfaction. If all he accomplished with this book was to turn conventional wisdom on its head, that would be interesting enough. But he goes further-offering advice and examples that will help you bypass the disillusionment and get right to work building skills that matter. – praise for SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU

With practical advice backed up by proven examples, SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU is both an unconventional and fresh take on the area of work and lifestyle design. An absolute must-read. – Lifehack.org

Cal Newport, Ph.D., lives in Washington, DC, where he is a writer and an assistant professor of computer science at Georgetown University. He is the author of SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU and three books of unconventional advice for students. He runs the popular website Study Hacks: Decoding Patterns of Success.

One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare.‘Deep work’ is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by the author on his popular blog Study Hacks, deep work will make you better at what you do, achieve more in less time and provide the sense of true fulfilment that comes from mastery of a skill. In short, deep work is like a superpower in our increasingly competitive economy.And yet most people, whether knowledge workers in noisy open-plan offices or creatives struggling to sharpen their vision, have lost the ability to go deep – spending their days instead in a frantic blur of e-mail and social media, not even realising there’s a better way.A mix of cultural criticism and actionable advice, Deep Work takes the reader on a journey through memorable stories – from Carl Jung building a stone tower in the woods to focus his mind, to a social media pioneer buying a round-trip to Tokyo to write a book free from distraction in the air – and surprising suggestions, such as the claim that most professionals should quit social media and that everyone should practise being bored. Deep Work will point the way to anyone seeking focused success in a distracted world. www.CalNewport.com[Improvement Zone logo]

Cal Newport, Ph.D., lives in Washington, DC, where he is a writer and an assistant professor of computer science at Georgetown University. He is the author of SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU and three books of unconventional advice for students. He runs the popular website Study Hacks: Decoding Patterns of Success.