Guide to Deep Work

Post by 7ewis » Sat, May 18, 2019, 6:19 PM UTC

AQuantized wrote: post #61

7ewis wrote: post #34

Over the last few months, I've found I just can't focus on anything. Unless I find it interesting on challenging. Generally, at work this is ok as I enjoy what I do. However, I study for a degree part time, which is in 'Computing and IT' - the same field as my work, BUT it's so out of date, and the content is so boring I just can't do it, until last minute when I have to. I genuinely think if I had studied this cours…

Do you happen to be studying through the Open University? I had a very similar experience studying maths part time. My first couple of years were basically just doing the assignments a few days before they were due, and then cramming for the exam. I did eventually manage to get into the habit of doing more consistent gradual work throughout the year, and that's the only advice I could give. The habit of devoting that…

Post by [deleted] » Sun, May 19, 2019, 4:58 PM UTC

bitwize wrote: post #31

sneakernets wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why hasn't there been a backlash yet? Everyone hates the seas of desks layout.

Executives and management consultants love them. Of course these people usually have nice offices of their own, making open-plan truly enterprise. (I define a thing as enterprise if its customers are different from, and usually higher on the org chart than, its actual users.) Factors involved in why these offices are preferred include: 1) Low cost. Yes, yes, I know, productivity loss from battery-farmed knowledge wor…

Post by dc443 » Sun, May 19, 2019, 8:47 PM UTC

commandlinefan wrote: post #29

ssivark wrote: post #6

The real challenge is attention management. Switching gears from an execution orientation (knocking off tasks) to a careful thinking orientation is hard. The hardest aspect of deep work (for people used to a structured form of productivity) is immersion in the task/topic without a concrete plan of "how" to tackle it. (The necessary immersion is what makes "deep" a good metaphor) Every such session is a risky investme…

> The real challenge is attention management See, I think you have that backwards - the problem is management attention. When management is giving you their full attention and micromanaging, meaningful work becomes impossible.

Post by commandlinefan » Mon, May 20, 2019, 2:42 PM UTC

dc443 wrote: post #66

commandlinefan wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The real challenge is attention management See, I think you have that backwards - the problem is management attention. When management is giving you their full attention and micromanaging, meaningful work becomes impossible.

I like what you said but i think grandparent's use of management is not the management that you're referring to.

Post by O_H_E » Fri, May 24, 2019, 4:14 PM UTC

iandanforth wrote: post #4

If you're struggling with scheduling work time and getting things done I'd like to recommend https://www.focusmate.com/ You book 50 minute video sessions and are paired with a random other person who wants to get work done. You start by saying what you intend to work on, and you finish by saying what you accomplished. That's it, other discussion is strongly discouraged. I work from home and have nearly unlimited leew…