⏳ Protect Your Time

Hey friend,

With all of life's distractions, focus is becoming an increasingly rare skill to have. But, it's also increasingly valuable:

1. It helps you avoid distractions: Research shows it can take over 20 minutes to get back on track after an interruption. So, if you check your phone twice in an hour, you could be losing nearly two-thirds of your focus time.
2. It rewires your brain: Deep work strengthens your brain’s ability to learn, but this only happens when you focus intensely on a single task without distractions.

Imagine what you could accomplish if you dedicated just an hour or two each day to uninterrupted, high-focus work. No distractions, no multitasking—just you and the task at hand.

This is what J.K. Rowling did when writing the final Harry Potter book.

To dive into the story and wrap up the series in the best way possible, she checked into a quiet hotel in Edinburgh, away from all distractions. This gave her the space to focus completely on her writing, which led to one of the most anticipated and successful books ever 🪄

It isn’t about working longer hours. It’s about making the hours you do work truly count.

So, what does this mean for you?

The concept of deep work, popularised by Cal Newport in his book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, is all about protecting your time from the endless interruptions and noise that can derail your focus.

Think about it: What could you achieve if you eliminated distractions and focused intensely on just one thing?

Whether you’re writing a report, solving a complex problem, or planning a new project, deep work can help you produce your best work in less time.

But let’s be real, in a world that’s all about multitasking and staying connected, it’s not easy to carve out time for deep work.

The good news is you don’t have to go as far as booking a hotel room like J.K. Rowling to bock out the noise. There are easier ways to get into deep focus. Here are a few tips:

🎧 Use noise-cancelling headphones: Drown out the background noise with some music or just enjoy the silence.

🙅 Set boundaries: Let the people around you know when you need some uninterrupted focus time.

🎯 Attend a Focus Lab: Productivity Lab runs daily focus labs in all the major timezones, so if you're a member don't forget to take advantage of them!

⏱️ Set a timer: Try working in focused bursts, like 25- or 50-minute sessions, and then take a break.

🔇 Turn off notifications: Silence your phone, put it in “Focus Mode” or, even more effective, leave it outside your workspace.

☕ Create a quiet workspace: Find a spot where you can work without distractions, whether it’s a cosy corner at home or a quiet coffee shop.

By adding these simple habits to your routine, you’ll set yourself up for deep work success.

The boost in productivity, the quality of your work, and that awesome feeling of accomplishment will be totally worth it.

One Experiment

To start reaping the benefits of deep work, give this experiment a go:

1. Step 1: Identify a Key Task: Pick a task that demands your full cognitive effort—something that requires creativity, problem-solving, or strategic thinking. It could be designing a new website, brainstorming ideas for your next big project, or mastering a difficult skill.
2. Step 2: Schedule Deep Work Blocks: Dedicate specific time slots in your calendar for deep work. Start small—maybe an hour each day—where you eliminate all distractions. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and let others know you’re not available.
3. Step 3: Create a Ritual: Establish a routine to kick off your deep work session. This could be as simple as brewing a cup of coffee, tidying your workspace, or playing a specific playlist. Rituals help signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.
4. Step 4: Track Your Progress: After each session, take a moment to reflect. What did you accomplish? How focused were you? Gradually, try to increase the duration of your deep work sessions and reduce the time it takes to enter that state of deep focus.

One Quote

“Focus is a matter of deciding what things you're not going to do.” - John Carmack

TL;DR

Deep work is a productivity superpower that involves dedicating uninterrupted time to your most important tasks. By minimising distractions and focusing intensely, you can enhance creativity, improve work quality, and achieve more in less time.

Thanks for reading!

Ali xx

Sent with ❤️ from Ali Abdaal Ltd.

16-19 Eastcastle Street , Fitzrovia, London, W1W 8DY, United Kingdom

Unsubscribe from some / all of our emails 😢