Imagine you’re a superhero with an amazing power called “Deep Work.”
Instead of fighting villains or saving the world, your superpower allows you to enter a secret, super-focused state where you can conquer any task at hand.
When you activate your Deep Work mode, you wear super-dorky glasses that amplify your brainpower (🧐). These glasses are so powerful that they make you look like a combination of Albert Einstein and a hipster librarian.
It’s not the most fashionable look, but it gets the job done!
Once you wear your Brainiac Spectacles, you can enter your Fortress of Concentration, a secret hideout where distractions are banished.
It’s a place where time flies faster than a jet-powered penguin, and the outside world ceases to exist. You’re completely locked in like a squirrel holding onto its acorn during a hurricane.
How Millionaires Exploit Deep Work
Okay, all joking aside – getting into a “deep work” state enables you to get more done in 15 minutes than you would have in 15 hours sometimes.
It’s like a cheat code in a video game, and it’s something that millionaires take advantage of every single time it happens. It’s when the most important work gets tackled, like writing a business plan, going above and beyond on a project, doing research for an upcoming presentation, etc.
We can’t always control when we enter these ultra-productive deep work states, but we can increase the likelihood of them happening.
Here are 10 proven techniques to increase the frequency of deep work:
– Create a conducive environment: Find a quiet, clutter-free space where you can work without distractions. Minimize interruptions by turning off notifications on your devices or using apps that block distractions.
– Set specific goals: Clearly define what you want to accomplish during your deep work session. Having a clear objective helps you maintain focus and motivation.
– Establish a routine: Develop a consistent schedule for deep work sessions. By creating a routine, you train your mind to enter a focused state more easily at specific times.
– Remove digital distractions: Temporarily disconnect from social media, email, and other non-essential digital platforms during your deep work sessions. Consider using website blockers or productivity apps to limit access to distracting websites.
– Practice time blocking: Allocate dedicated blocks of time exclusively for deep work. This means scheduling specific periods in your calendar where you commit to focusing on important tasks and avoiding any unrelated activities.
– Use the Pomodoro Technique: Divide your deep work session into shorter intervals, typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. This structured approach can help you maintain concentration and prevent burnout.
– Manage your energy levels: Prioritize self-care and ensure you have sufficient physical and mental energy to engage in deep work. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and incorporate exercise into your routine.
– Find your optimal working style: Experiment with different techniques to identify what helps you enter a deep work state. Some people prefer complete silence, while others find instrumental music or background noise beneficial.
– Minimize multitasking: Avoid switching between multiple tasks simultaneously, as it can hinder deep work. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your undivided attention.
– Practice mindfulness or meditation: Engaging in mindfulness or meditation exercises can improve your ability to concentrate and enter a deep work state. These practices can help quiet the mind and reduce distractions.
Personal factoid: Establishing a routine was huge for my wife and me. We know when we are most likely to enter a deep work state (mid-morning), so we prioritize important work during those hours.
Give some of these tips a try and I bet you’ll be 100x more productive.
