What is Deep Work, and Why Does it Matter?
July 11, 2024
In today’s constantly connected world, it’s increasingly difficult to focus on the tasks that truly matter. Distractions are everywhere, from the endless stream of notifications on our smartphones to the constant ping of emails and messages in our inboxes. However, if we want to achieve extraordinary results and make a real impact in our work and personal lives, we need to embrace the concept of Deep Work.
Deep Work, as defined by author and professor Cal Newport, is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It's a skill that allows us to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. In his book, “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World,” Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare, yet it's a skill that's highly valuable in almost any field.
A study by the University of California, Irvine, found that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to a task after an interruption. This means that every time we’re distracted by a notification or message, we lose the ability to get into a deep work state.
So how can we cultivate the ability to perform deep work in a world that’s constantly vying for our attention? One solution is to use a communication platform like Comms, which is designed to minimize distractions and encourage focused, productive work.
Comms offers scheduled delivery and reminders, which allow users to free up blocks of time for deep work. By scheduling messages to populate the inbox at specific times, users can minimize distractions and focus on the task at hand. Reminders ensure that important messages or tasks don't get lost in the shuffle and come back to the inbox at appropriate times.
Comms uses a message hierarchy system, where users can indicate the urgency of a message using @, @@, or @@@. This helps prioritize messages and ensures that important tasks are addressed first, while less urgent messages can be dealt with later. By consciously tagging people based on urgency, Comms users can get through their inboxes more effectively and efficiently.
Comms uses channels to organize messages by topic or project, so users can easily find the information they need without getting bogged down in irrelevant discussions. This not only saves time but also helps maintain focus by reducing the cognitive load of switching between multiple contexts.
In a world where the ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare, tools like Comms are essential for anyone looking to achieve extraordinary results. By minimizing distractions, organizing information, and facilitating focused work, Comms empowers users to cultivate the skill of deep work and unlock their full potential.
As Newport writes, “To produce at your peak level, you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction.” With Comms, that level of focus is within reach.