I'm not too much of a book reader as I mainly feed on articles and podcasts... All though I wish that I was able to take some time off each day to read books, because nothing inspires me more than reading a good book. Seriously Yrja, 15 minutes a day, thats doable? No excuses is allowed really but until now I can't seem to find too much time.
I have friends who swallows books for breakfast and I've always felt envious about all the knowledge they gain from those books, but then again, its not that I don't read, I simply consume shorter texts, so should it really matter? How many books do you read a month?
I guess so, cause if you read something in depth over a few hours this stimulates deep work state which is super beneficial for your brain and wellbeing, I'll get back to that..
What I like the most about reading great (non fiction) books is exactly that I get this sense of flow, and diving into another universe.
At the moment I'm reading this book called "Deep Work" by Cal Newport which quickly has become one of my favourites. It's incredible full of the teachings I was in need of at the moment. Having me remember with what and what type of work life I thrive the most. Really its such a good indication on how we are supposed to work and what makes us people thrive and produce quality work efficiently.
Here is the definition of deep work;
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.
Another one from wikipedia.
"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. And yet, most people have lost the ability to go deep—spending their days instead in a frantic blur of e-mail and social media, not even realizing there’s a better way."
Tempting or scary? Could you go a day without interacting with anyone, not being online? Just doing work in a deep concentrated state? Would that be possible, or has the habits of social media got to the core of your everyday life? Do you own it or does it own you?
And what do you prefer? Control of social media or social media controlling you?
I always have my phone on silent and only have notifications on for messenger and email, as it can pop up "urgent" texts there (I never use SMS) but even though I have notifications on it doesnt ping or anything, it's silent notification that pop up on the screen and that's it.
I do not have notifications for mail or any other things on my computer screen either. Which is completely liberating. This was a choice I made when I got my first phone. No other than me is going to choose how I spend my time. No one is going to control my schedule with a call or a text. I'll see it when I care too.
Lately I've been starting to put my phone on flight mode when I want think and worktime and peace to myself. And its super liberating, hard at first as I constantly probably like you want to reach for my phone, but now I'm getting used to it and I love it.
Maybe you'd enjoy it too?
In the book Cal Newport points out that research actually shows that it makes us happier. Which makes perfect sense to me. I actually feel more calm and content when I'm distraction free. I thrive in solitude as I get to think deeply which makes me much more aware and energized. So what I like the most is to work from home when my roomate is out. Sometimes I wish that I had my own little dollhouse in could escape to everyday to read and write and work, just like Roald Dahl. No wonder he managed to come up with such a magic universe, he was rarely or never interrupted during his work hours as it was strictly forbidden to enter. When I get to work deeply I feel way more satisfied and I get things done. I actually feel more creative and smarter because my nerual pathways get to flow freely. So that research I definitely is definitely true after my experience.
How often do you put in some hours of deep work?
If you don't care to pick the book up for a read then the video below is for you. But seriously. I highly recommend you downloading the book from kindle now as we speak!