Feeding my Brain Deep Work

I recently read Cal Newport’s book, “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.”  It was recommended to me by a friend when I complained about my inability to focus on finishing the first draft of my new novel. Even if I found time, I kept finding myself distracted. Instead, I would check my email, social media, wash dishes, play with my dogs, plant more gardens… oh, the list goes on! Does this sound familiar?

Newport recommends that if you want to be productive, you have to log out of all communication tools and any other potential distractions and work uninterrupted for at least 60 to 90 minutes and potentially up to 4 hours… and if possible, every day! He claims practicing “deep work” will rewire your brain and allow you to learn things faster, do quality work faster and most important for writers–finish that book!

He provides some fascinating real life examples of writers who used the process of “deep work” to complete their book. My favourite: an author who booked a return ticket flight to Japan (first class) to have uninterrupted time on the plane to write; then turned around in the airport and got back on the plane and returned to the US. This allowed him the uninterrupted time he needed, free from distraction and he put “teeth” into game: ie. He was spending the money on a first class ticket so he was motivated to use the time to his best advantage. And it worked.

What appeals me about “deep work” is that I know how good it can feel to get into that focused concentration. This week, I had to write a legal factum for a case. Because it was due this week, I scheduled off time to write; I closed my door to my office, turned off my email and phone and settled down to focus and write this technical document. I could feel myself struggling for the first minutes but then I found my focus and did it ever feel good: to find that flow and energy. It was challenging but like a good workout, my brain enjoyed flexing its muscles. In this distracted world, to have time to focus on a single task was like feeding my brain healthy food instead of candy of social media.

So how I can incorporate deep work into my writing practice? Here are some tips I have found in my research on deep work:

1.    Schedule this time into your calendar on a regular basis. Protect it.  Block it off. Put up “do not disturb” signs on your door. Put on headphones. Get a guard dragon to fend off well intentioned family or friends. Do whatever you need to do to make sure you don’t let anything creep in.  

2.    The time blocking can be a daily habit or to whenever you have 90 minutes in your schedule or to isolating yourself on a retreat for time period. It depends on the flexibility of your schedule. Think about what you can do with your schedule, and then start small and scale up as your brain rewires.  

3.    Create rituals to increase focus to help train your brain to go into “deep work” time. This might be writing in the same place every time or doing a small ritual to get started, like getting a particular special drink or wearing certain clothing or listening to a particular song. If you do the same thing every time you start this focused work, your brain will start to associate doing the ritual with the start of deep work. 

4.    Turn off potential distractions: phone, email, social media, all potential beeping things. Yes, turn it all off or put on do not disturb.

5.    Have a clear purpose and goal for your work you want to complete in your “deep work” session. For writers, this could be working on a particular scene or chapter, doing specific research, writing a query letter or synopsis. 

6.    Assess how you did. I like to keep a log of my writing time and record what I accomplished.

7.    Take a break when finished your session; take a walk or wash those dishes! Give your brain a rest. It deserves a little downtime. 

8.    Build a routine. Deep work is hard. It requires willpower and mental effort. But a routine will help reinforce your willpower. When finished a deep work session, schedule the next session. 

If you want to learn more, I recommend reading Cal Newport’s book. 

Happy writing this summer!