I’ve just discovered the 2016 hit business book, Deep Work, by Cal Newport. I’ve been busy reading fiction to support my writing habit, so I don’t stay current on new and trending business books the way I used to early in my accounting and finance career. However, I’m two chapters into Deep Work and can tell this is a game-changing book for writers and other creatives. I’m excited to keep reading and more lessons.
At issue in the first two chapters is our interruption culture, technology, and the Internet. Instant Messaging is convenient, but so disruptive. So is email, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, FOMO, and the pressure to be always-on and always tethered to some type of device so the office can reach you.
Chapters 1 and 2 are enough to have made me start noticing and documenting how I use my smartphone. Self-examination is always scary and I’m not liking the results.
That said, I did find four ways, my smartphone can help me do more deep work:
- It will help me finish the book. I took an 11-hour drive this week for my day job (dj) and have an 11-hour drive home at the end of this week. With audiobooks, I find that I hit pause pretty often and have a conversation with myself over the lessons I’m learning.
2. It helps me study my craft. My current WIP is another Noah Good Mystery, so I’m starting the Walt Longmire series over again for the third time. I read / listen to multiple books at the same time, so I’m also working on multiple books from Chris Fox, Dean Wesley Smith, and Steven Pressfield, all books about writing and publishing.
3. More studying my craft. Chris Fox’s YouTube channel is a gift to writers. Have you tried it yet? I try to watching one video per day (he keeps them short) and take notes.
4. It can help me concentrate. Used the right way, my smartphone, turned upside down, out of reach, and with some creative music or deep work music playing from the brain.fm app actually promotes deeper work and better concentration. I turn off all notifications and set it where I can’t touch it easily, and it becomes a useful tool rather than a distraction.
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