Why Your “Hustle” Is Killing Your Productivity (And How to Fix It)

We’ve been duped; we’ve been told that “being busy” is something to brag about, and that “multitasking” is a superhuman skill. Instead of having a clear sense of focus, many of us are constantly distracted by notifications, interruptions and the “quick question.” Before you even realize it, the day is over and you’re wondering what happened. To create real value with your work, you don’t need more time you need to develop a habit of doing Deep Work.

What Is Deep Work?

Professor Cal Newport coined the term “Deep Work,” which refers to the ability to focus intently without distractions while working on a complex or difficult task. Think of the difference between clearing your inbox (a shallow work activity), and writing a cornerstone project (a deep work activity).

The Formula:

If you’re focused at a 0.5 (i.e., you’re constantly checking Instagram and other social media platforms every ten minutes) and you put in 10 hours of work, the quality of your work will be subpar regardless of how much time you invested.

Three Principles to Master Your Focus

• Create Your Own Grand Gesture Environment: While you may not need to rent a secluded cabin in the woods to get some quiet time to work, you do need to create a “sacred” space for yourself. When you sit in that chair, with those headphones on, your mind should know that you’re not going to be able to scroll through social media, you’re going to build.
• Stop the Context Switch: Each time you check a notification, it can take up to 23 minutes to refocus fully on your original task. That’s called “attention residue,” and that’s what has the potential to kill your brilliance.
• Schedule Your Downtime: We’ve conditioned our minds to expect a hit of dopamine each and every time there is a pause in the action (waiting in line, waiting in an elevator, etc.). To do true deep work, you’ll need to train your mind to be comfortable in silence.

The 90-Minute Rule
The most effective way to start is the 90-Minute Sprint.

• Pick one needle-moving task.
• Phone in another room (not just face down—gone).
• Timer for 90 minutes.
• Work until it beeps.
  The Bottom Line
  In an economy that is increasingly automated, the ability to concentrate on complex things is becoming a rare and valuable asset. Stop trying to be the fastest at responding to emails, and start being the person who produces the work no one else can