⏱️ Time: 2-4 hr/day | 🎯 Difficulty: Intermediate | 📈 ROI: Compound Gain | ✅ Status: Active

Do Deep Work

Focused, uninterrupted work on cognitively demanding tasks. This is where value is created.

Prerequisites

• Understand Single-Task Focus (why this works)
• Have defined work to do (MITs from Daily Planning)

The Protocol

Setup (2 min)

1. Clear the workspace. Close all unrelated tabs and apps.
2. Silence devices. Phone on Do Not Disturb, face down or in another room.
3. Set a timer. 25-90 minutes based on task complexity.
4. Declare the single task. Write it down: “For the next X minutes, I am doing Y.”

Execute

5. One task only. Complete or time-box before switching.
6. Capture distractions. If a thought intrudes, write it on a “later” list and return immediately.
7. No exceptions. Email, Slack, “quick check” — all wait until the timer ends.

Close (2 min)

8. Note where you stopped. Makes resuming easier.
9. Process the “later” list. Decide: do, schedule, or delete.
10. Take a real break. Walk, stretch, hydrate. Not more screens.

Shallow Work Protocol

For email, admin, and communication:

1. Batch into 2-3 dedicated blocks (e.g., 10am, 2pm, 5pm)
2. Process quickly. 2-minute rule: if it takes <2 min, do it now
3. Exit when block ends. Don’t linger.

Set expectations: Tell colleagues your check-in times. They’ll adapt.

Cadence

Block Type	Duration	Frequency
Deep work	60-90 min	2-4×/day
Shallow work	30-45 min	2-3×/day
Breaks	10-15 min	Between blocks

Failure Modes

Problem	Fix
Can’t focus for 60 min	Start with 25 min (Pomodoro). Build up.
Keep checking phone	Phone in another room. Literally.
”Urgent” interruptions	Most aren’t. Train others to wait.
Task unclear	Spend 5 min defining it before starting.
Energy crashes	Schedule deep work during peak energy hours.

Success Metrics

• Hours of uninterrupted deep work per day (target: 2-4)
• “Flow state” experiences per week (target: 3+)
• Time to complete typical tasks (should decrease)
• Error/rework rate (should decrease)

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Protect your focus like it’s money. Because it is.