You might be sitting there, pondering some hard-hitting questions. How can you dive deep into your work? Can rituals be a game-changer? And here’s a doozy – do you need to cut the cord with the Internet and social media to get stuff done?
Buckle up because we’re about to dig into these queries and unlock productivity secrets. So let’s dive right in!
There’s this widespread belief that multitasking is the golden ticket to productivity. We’re always trying to juggle a thousand things at once, right? Well, I’m here to bust that myth wide open. I’ve got some research tucked up my sleeve from the brilliant Sophie Leroy, a business professor from the University of Minnesota. Back in 2009, she put this whole multitasking concept under the microscope.
Leroy conducted this really cool experiment with two groups of people. Group A was interrupted midway through a word puzzle to start reviewing resumes and making hypothetical hiring decisions.
Group B? They got to finish their puzzles in peace before diving into the resumes. To spice things up, Leroy threw in a quick test between tasks to see how many puzzle keywords were still buzzing around in participants’ heads.
Wanna guess what happened?
Group A was like a dog with a bone – they couldn’t let go of that puzzle! The result? They were less focused on picking the right candidate for the job. Bummer, right?
So, the takeaway here is clear – multitasking isn’t your friend when you want to be productive.
And guess what else is a productivity sucker?
That’s right – being plugged in 24/7.
I get it; you’re thinking, “Saleh, it’s harmless to keep social media and email tabs open while I work.” But, my Amigo, each pop-up on your screen is like a squirrel darting past a dog. It’s distracting, even if you don’t chase after it right away. The study from Rescue Time has a bit of a shocking revelation. It revealed that, on average, people generally have only 1 hour and 12 minutes of uninterrupted productive time daily.
Just check out this 2012 study by McKinsey. It found that the average worker spends over 60% of their workweek using online communication tools and surfing the Internet. However, only about 30% is spent on reading and answering emails. But despite this, we feel like we’re always working.
Why?
Because moving small bits of information around makes us feel busy, like we’re accomplishing something. But the truth is, it’s just holding us back from really focusing.
Now, I’ve painted a pretty grim picture, haven’t I? But don’t worry; I’m not just here to rain on your productivity parade. Instead, let’s chat about some solutions – a few strategies to overcome these roadblocks and really get into what’s known as “deep work.”
Deep Work
First up, we’ve got the monastic approach. Just like it sounds, you’ll be ditching distractions and secluding yourself. You’ll be a productivity monk!
This is about minimizing or even eliminating shallow work and dedicating specific and substantial amounts of uninterrupted time for deep work. It often involves a complete disconnect from distractions like social media or even email.
Next, there’s the bimodal approach.
Here, you carve out a hefty chunk of uninterrupted work time and then leave the rest of your day open for other stuff.
This involves dividing time into two modes – one for deep work and the other for shallow work. It could be specific days of the week or certain hours of the day devoted entirely to deep work.
The rhythmic approach is another goodie. The gist is to create a habit of doing deep work for specific time blocks. Maybe 90 minutes suits you. Then, keep track of your achievements in a calendar.
This strategy is about creating a rhythm or routine for deep work, like setting aside specific time blocks each day. This makes it a habit and reduces the willpower required to start each deep work session.
And lastly, we’ve got the journalistic strategy. Picture yourself as a news reporter, always ready to dive into deep work whenever you find some free time.
Named because of its common use by journalists, this involves fitting deep work into your schedule whenever you get free time. This requires a high level of discipline to switch into a deep work mode at a moment’s notice.
Whichever technique you pick, remember that it’s about being intentional. It’s the difference between randomly finding yourself “in the zone” and purposefully engaging in deep work.
Now, let me share a little something from my toolkit.
My Amigo, rituals can help prepare your mind for deep work. For example, one of my go-to’s is defining my workspace. Maybe that means a “do not disturb” sign on your office door, or you must hit up a library or coffee shop.
Take it from J.K. Rowling. She had to escape to a five-star hotel just to finish her last Harry Potter book!
Another ritual I swear by is setting boundaries. Unplug the Internet or turn off your phone. Radical, I know, but trust me, it works. And make sure your deep work is sustainable. You need to give your body what it needs to focus.
It’s funny, isn’t it? In our modern world, with screens everywhere, we’ve conditioned our brains to crave distractions. But productive meditation can help you wrestle back control. You can use otherwise unproductive moments to think deeply about a problem. Walking, taking a shower, commuting to work – you get the idea.
And, be intentional about using social media and the Internet. Maybe you can even try going cold turkey: quit social media for 30 days. Then, ask yourself, “Did I really miss it?” If not, maybe it’s time to let go.
Remember to schedule your time, even for relaxing and eating. Of course, your schedule may change during the day, but stay aware of how you spend your time.
Lastly, plan your evenings and weekends with activities other than those involving the Internet. Read, exercise, and spend time with loved ones. This way, you’ll give your mind the rest it needs.
So, there you have it. I hope I’ve given you some food for thought and a bit of a game plan. Remember, deep work isn’t just about focusing. It’s about making your focus intentional and protected.
So, go ahead, try some of these strategies, and let me know how they work out for you. Until next time, happy focusing!
References
- Leroy, S. (2009). Why is it so hard to do my work? The challenge of attention residue when switching between work tasks. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 109(2), 168-181.
- McKinsey & Company. (2012). The social economy: Unlocking value and productivity through social technologies.
- Newport, C. (2016). Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. Grand Central Publishing.
- Thomas, F., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of
- RescueTime. (2019). RescueTime’s 2018 Year in Review: How did you spend your time?
