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What’s the secret to increased productivity and creativity? Read on…
Choose your depth philosophy for distraction-free focus to reach your potential
Published
2 years agoon

In the age of the Internet, distractions are plenty. It can be difficult to focus on a single task for more than a few minutes without being interrupted by a notification, a message, or a sudden urge to check social media. This is especially true if you work from home or in a shared office space.
But if you want to be productive and achieve your goals, it’s important to be able to get into deep work mode. Deep work is a state of distraction-free concentration that allows you to push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. It’s the kind of work that produces new ideas, solves complex problems and creates new value.
Think of Bill Gates; he uses deep work mode. Gates is known for his famous “think weeks,” during which he would seclude himself in a cabin to work on important projects without distractions. During his ‘think weeks’, Gates would wake up early and work for 12 hours or more a day. He would take short breaks throughout the day to eat and exercise, but he would otherwise stay focused on his work.
Gates has said that his ‘think weeks’ were some of the most productive times of his life. He was able to come up with new ideas and solve complex problems during his ‘think weeks’ that he would not have been able to do otherwise.

Another example is JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Rowling has said that she used deep work mode to write the Harry Potter books. She would often wake up early and work on her books for hours before her children woke up.
What is deep work mode?
It is a state of distraction-free concentration that allows you to push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. It’s the kind of work that produces new ideas, solves complex problems and creates new value. When you’re in deep work mode, you’re not checking your email, responding to messages, or browsing social media. You’re focused on a single task and you’re not letting anything interrupt you.
Deep work mode is essential for anyone who wants to be productive and achieve their goals. It’s especially important in today’s world, where we’re constantly bombarded with distractions.
How to get into deep work mode
Choose your depth philosophy. There are two main approaches to deep work: Monastic and rhythmic. Monastic deep work involves completely isolating yourself from distractions for a period of time. Rhythmic deep work involves scheduling specific times for deep work and sticking to that schedule as much as possible.
Which approach works best for you will depend on your personality and work style. If you’re easily distracted, you may find that monastic deep work is the only way to get into a state of true focus. If you’re more disciplined, you may be able to get into deep work mode even in a noisy or distracting environment.
Schedule time for deep work. Once you’ve chosen your depth philosophy, schedule specific times for deep work. If you’re going to do monastic deep work, you may want to block off a few hours each day or even a whole day each week. If you’re doing rhythmic deep work, you may want to schedule a specific time each morning or evening for deep work.

It’s important to be realistic when scheduling your deep work sessions. Don’t try to do too much deep work at once, or you’ll quickly get burned out. Start with 30-60 minutes of deep work per day and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.
Eliminate distractions. When you’re ready to start a deep work session, eliminate as many distractions as possible. This means turning off your phone, closing your email, and working in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
If you’re working from home, let your family or roommates know that you’re doing deep work and that you need to be left undisturbed. If you’re working in a shared office space, try to find a quiet corner or meeting room where you can work.
Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks during deep work sessions, even if you’re not feeling tired. This will help you to maintain your focus and avoid getting burned out.

Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes, or step outside for some fresh air. You can also take a break to eat a snack or listen to some music.
Reward yourself. When you complete a deep work session, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated and make deep work a more enjoyable experience.
Your reward could be anything from taking a break to watch your favorite TV show to going out for lunch with a friend. Choose something that you enjoy and that will help you to relax and recharge.
Getting into deep work mode can be challenging, but it’s worth it. When you’re able to focus on a single task without distractions, you’re more productive, creative, and innovative. Be patient and consistent, and soon you’ll be able to get into deep work mode on demand!
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Shalini is an Executive Editor with Apeejay Newsroom. With a PG Diploma in Business Management and Industrial Administration and an MA in Mass Communication, she was a former Associate Editor with News9live. She has worked on varied topics - from news-based to feature articles.