“Deep Work” by Cal Newport offers a compelling argument for the value of deep work and provides practical strategies for cultivating this skill in one’s life. Here are a few main points discussed from the book from the ideas and the rules:

1. Shallow Work vs. Deep Work: The modern work culture is filled with distractions that make it difficult for people to engage in deep work. Shallow work, which is characterized by tasks that are easy to replicate and don’t require much concentration, has become the norm.
2. The Value of Deep Work: Deep work is a skill that allows individuals to produce high-quality work, learn quickly, and master complex skills. It is becoming increasingly rare and valuable in our economy, as shallow work becomes more vulnerable to automation and globalization.
3. The Four Rules of Deep Work: In order to engage in deep work, one needs to follow four rules: work deeply, embrace boredom, quit social media, and drain the shallows.

4. Work Deeply: To engage in deep work, it is essential to create an environment that supports focus and concentration. This may involve setting aside specific blocks of time for deep work, eliminating distractions, and creating rituals that help signal the brain to focus.
5. Embrace Boredom: The ability to tolerate boredom is crucial for deep work. By learning to embrace boredom, individuals can reduce their dependence on shallow work and train their brains to focus for longer periods of time.
6. Quit Social Media: Social media is a major source of distraction for many people, and quitting it can free up valuable time and mental energy for deep work. Newport argues that social media is not essential for success, and that the benefits of deep work far outweigh the benefits of staying connected online.
7. Drain the Shallows: To create more time for deep work, it is important to reduce the amount of shallow work in one’s life. This may involve delegating tasks, outsourcing work, or simply saying no to low-value tasks that don’t contribute to one’s overall goals.
8. Deep Work in Practice: Newport provides examples of individuals and organizations that have successfully implemented deep work practices, and offers strategies for making deep work a sustainable practice over the long term.

To start applying these ideas, I’ll limit the time on my mobile phone in my daily life and with more concrete plan for each day’s focus to reduce the shallow work. Together with the good habits I have already created in my daily routine I’ll have more room for deep work with clear purpose.