Go from focus to play & ignite
your super power
According to Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work, our ability to work fully focused and undistracted is a super power. According to Brandon Burchard in his book High Performance Habits, taking a productive pause between focused working segments is just as important.
Focused Deep Work will catapult us forward on our projects and out of overwhelm.
The Intentional Pause will keep our minds sharp and let us finish our day invigorated.
I agree!
"Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It’s a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship. In short, deep work is like a super power in our increasingly competitive twenty-first century economy." Cal Newport Deep Work
The practice of deep work
100% fully present
monotasking - one very specific project or task
set timer
phones off
social media off
tv off
all interruptions paused
task - goal clear
focus 100 % on project
Benefit- super power activated
The practice of intentional pausing
100% present and unplugged from focused task
set timer 5-10-15 minutes
step outside
stretch- move: especially if you have been sitting at a desk
hydrating and balancing your blood sugar
breathe from your belly
play, throw a ball, juggle, skip, dance
take a short walk
Look at nature
Eat your lunch outside- away from your desk
Focus 100% away from work
Benefit- super power activated
Repeat throughout your workday or project
When your timer goes off. Stop!
Step away from your desk or project. Think recess, play, shut off brain
Set your timer for the pause too. Distractions are everywhere- even in our play
Value and commit to pausing as much as you are to the work.
The Pause is equally as important as the work itself.
The pause is what will keep your mind sharp and your energy strong. It is what will help you finish the day refreshed.
By becoming fully present and pausing we give our brains a chance to turn on their super powers.
Challenge:
Try deep work and intentional pausing for a day. Let me know how it goes.
This practice is incredibly effective on mentally challenging tasks but equally helpful on boring or mundane tasks. This practice of focusing on and then off, can be used on any task from writing a grant, downsizing your paper clutter, to even watching TV. The most important part is to become present, fully intentional of your task and setting your timer to help you focus and then reboot.
"Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It’s a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship. In short, deep work is like a super power in our increasingly competitive twenty-first century economy." Cal Newport Deep Work
The practice of deep work
100% fully present
monotasking - one very specific project or task
set timer
phones off
social media off
tv off
all interruptions paused
task - goal clear
focus 100 % on project
Benefit- super power activated
The practice of intentional pausing
100% present and unplugged from focused task
set timer 5-10-15 minutes
step outside
stretch- move: especially if you have been sitting at a desk
hydrating and balancing your blood sugar
breathe from your belly
play, throw a ball, juggle, skip, dance
take a short walk
Look at nature
Eat your lunch outside- away from your desk
Focus 100% away from work
Benefit- super power activated
Repeat throughout your workday or project
When your timer goes off. Stop!
Step away from your desk or project. Think recess, play, shut off brain
Set your timer for the pause too. Distractions are everywhere- even in our play
Value and commit to pausing as much as you are to the work.
The Pause is equally as important as the work itself.
The pause is what will keep your mind sharp and your energy strong. It is what will help you finish the day refreshed.
By becoming fully present and pausing we give our brains a chance to turn on their super powers.
Challenge:
Try deep work and intentional pausing for a day. Let me know how it goes.
This practice is incredibly effective on mentally challenging tasks but equally helpful on boring or mundane tasks. This practice of focusing on and then off, can be used on any task from writing a grant, downsizing your paper clutter, to even watching TV. The most important part is to become present, fully intentional of your task and setting your timer to help you focus and then reboot.
