- Ability to do so is becoming increasingly rare, so it’s a great differentiator.
- My mind is wired to equate meaning and success from deep work and outcomes.
- Emails, Slack, etc. are often, at best, benign, and at worst, downright stressful and negative. Focusing on these throughout the day causes me stress, anxiety, irritation, and frustration.
- Knowledge work is unfortunately directionless and missing end points and successful outcomes. Probably why I like fixing mowers, etc. Satisfying results.
- Even if it’s friendly and upbeat, a shallow focus on comms still drains and frustrates.
- Don’t try to generate meaning. Discern and cultivate what is already there, external to me.
- Flawed idea: What matters most in job satisfaction is the type of work and outcomes. Elevates nonprofits, owning a company, etc.
- Instead, the craftsmanship and deep work, regardless of the type of work, provides satisfaction.
- Doing deep work ad hoc doesn’t work. We have limited willpower, therefore need routines and defined rituals.
- Decisions within strict rules (math, etc.) simply need conscious thought. But complex, vague, interconnected decisions are often better left to the unconscious mind (especially during a break of a diff task). Consciously over focusing on it can arrive at worse outcomes.
- Shutdown everything work related at the end of the day. If more time is needed, extend workday. But you need the solid chunk of idle time.
- Need confidence that you’re done for the day to recharge. Cannot allow even small slips, like email or Slack.
- Shutdown ritual: review each unfinished task and document next steps. Helps clear your mind. Then do something to signify shutdown completion (even literally saying it out loud).
- Planning next steps/days is the only way to truly clear your mind and prevent thinking about it at night.
- Embrace boredom. Always filling it with distraction reduces ability to concentrate. Don’t whip out phone when waiting, relaxing, etc.
- The distraction itself isn’t the issue. The constant context switching is what slays me.
- Length and quantity not as important as keeping offline blocks intact.
- Schedule online distractions even after work hours.
- Social media isn’t a question of whether or not it provides any benefit. Instead, judge each based my personal/professional goals and whether the tool provides enough benefit to merit the time and distraction.
- Work day is not “the day.” The other 16 hours are! Don’t waste them on bullshit!
- Put thought into leisure time. Schedule ideas in advance. Wasting time thrives in a vacuum.