Deep focus work
My Formula for High-Quality Output
Productivity is hard, and the difficulties are compounded when the office is virtual — your living room or home office.
I imagine you're familiar with the challenge.
What I present here is more than mere advice; it's a tried and tested methodology.
I've fine-tuned this approach through my own years of remote work, achieving both volume and quality in my output.
This isn't mere chance; it's the outcome of a deliberate system, one that I have found to be sustainable.
If you're keen to elevate your productivity in a remote setting, you'll find the following insights invaluable. Shall we proceed?
Zero input means zero output
Here's the deal: There's no substitute for doing the work. You can't sidestep it. You can't fast-forward through it.
Think about it like farming.
You can have the best soil, the latest tech, and a foolproof plan. But if you don't actually plant the seeds, you get zero yield.
No shortcuts, no life-hacks, no magic pills.
But work isn't one-size-fits-all; it falls into three distinct bins: Deep Work, Shallow Work, and Meetings.
Deep work is the grind — that needs your full attention.
Shallow work — Emails, quick fixes, answering Slack messages, etc.
Meetings, well, we all know what those are.
Knowing where your tasks fit helps you prioritize and focus.
You can tailor your day around these types of work. And trust me, it pays off.
And this all starts with your body's Circadian Rhythm1
That's the 24-hour cycle dictating your energy levels, focus, and mood. It directly impacts your productivity.
For instance, I've noticed that my peak hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. That's when I'm a productivity powerhouse, knocking out tasks like there's no tomorrow. That's when I slot in my deep work sessions.
Post-lunch, from noon to 3 p.m., is a different story. It's like my brain's running on power-saving mode. So, I avoid heavy brain lifting during those hours, opting for meetings or shallow work.
Remember, your peak hours might differ from mine. The key is to find your own rhythm.
tip: I keep track of all that stuff using the Rise app
You're not just throwing darts in the dark; you're making informed choices on when to tackle what type of work.
Maximizing deep work
The sweet spot for me is five to six total hours of focused work. Go beyond that, and quality takes a hit.
Now, you're probably thinking, "Six hours? How?"
I start my day early, like 6 a.m. early, diving straight into a 3 hours deep work session. — Remember, I work remotely and can do my schedule.
I go hard for three or four hours, and then I hit pause.
After that time, I’ll usually go to the Gym, do groceries, do house errands, prep, and have lunch.
Post-lunch, it's meeting or shallow work time.
I try to schedule meetings in the early afternoon. That's when the brain's not firing at full throttle, and let's be honest, most meetings don't require that level of cerebral power.
Then I'm back at it.
Round two of deep work kicks in later in the afternoon—another focused, deep work session.
Obviously, not all my days are like this.
Different projects require different schedules. Some weeks, I'm more into brainstorming and teamwork, others more into solo, deep-focus work.
So, the takeaway? Be deliberate with your deep work.
When working on a larger project, I make sure that every Sunday, or when I start the project, I deliberately block time on my calendar to do specific tasks.
This is my routine. Yours will differ. The point is to experiment and find what works best for you.
Shallow work and meetings
So we've talked about deep work, but let's not forget the shallow end of the pool.
Yeah, answering Slack messages or fixing minor bugs isn't as glamorous, but it's still gotta get done.
After my first deep work block in the morning, I earmark a two-hour slot for these lighter tasks. Think of it as a cool-down after a hard workout.
The key here is batching.
Group similar tasks together so you're not constantly shifting gears. It's like meal-prepping but for work.
Set up your week so that you're handling all your shallow tasks and meetings in concentrated bursts. That way, they won't nibble away at your precious deep work hours.
But it's not all flowers.
While these tasks may not be as mentally demanding, they often have their own kind of time-sensitive priority. Ideally, that's how I wanted it to be, but sometimes it's impossible to batch.
However, that's always my intention.
The key to consistent productivity
Consistency. That's the secret sauce.
It doesn't matter if you're a morning bird like me or a night owl. Find your peak hours and guard them like a treasure.
For me, the day kicks off with a 3-hour deep work block, no exceptions. I’m off the grid; only a true emergency would pull me out of that focus zone.
But it's not just about clocking in the hours; it's about making them count.
That early morning focus session is a non-negotiable appointment with me.
It guarantees at least 3 solid hours of productivity daily, adding to my optimal six hours of deep focus.
Think of it as your anchor; once it's in place, the rest of your day can freely unfold around it.
So set your cornerstone; make it sacred.
The consistency will not only improve your output but also make planning the rest of your day a whole lot simpler.
Key Take-Aways
From zeroing in on the types of work to structuring your day around your body's natural rhythms to daily consistency.
No magic, no hacks, just a framework built on practical, real-world experience.
Classify Your Work: Deep work, Shallow work, Meetings. Know what you're dealing with.
Find Your Focus Sweet Spot: For me, it's 2 blocks of deep focus summing 6 hours a day, optimally. Identify yours.
Clock Your Body: Use your body's natural rhythms to your advantage. Schedule deep work when you're at your peak. (Rise App or similar can help you with that)
Structure in Blocks: Divide your day into two main blocks to tackle different types of work. Adjust as needed.
Consistency is Key: Identify your peak productive time and make it a non-negotiable focus block.
Be Flexible, but Intentional: Life happens. Have a plan, but be ready to pivot.
You've got the blueprint; now it's your turn.
Don't just read this; act on it.
The most effective productivity system is the one you actually use. So, tweak it, make it yours, and get ready to see your productivity skyrocket.
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