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The concept of deep work is slowly starting to make sense as I continue reading through Cal Newport’s Deep Work. In his second chapter, Newport discusses why it is so rare and how the idea of “working” is still viewed as work of the industrial age, but set in our technological, modern times. This is also the chapter where I could connect nearly every point he made to my work life. Queue sudden realization.
If I think of Google, Apple, or Facebook’s office building, I can instantly picture large, open rooms, movable desks and chairs, small groups of people huddled together, glass walls, and open doors (or perhaps, just a doorway). Employees are always connected to their computer or phone, whether messaging each other about a project or tweeting a sneaky tweet that will draw attention. Big companies are synonymous with up-to-date technology and futuristic ideology, which we connect with their overbearing success and wealth. And because these companies are successful, it means these environments work…right?
Well, no.
All of the behaviors above are distracting behaviors, as in, work is really not getting done. With people walking around or into your office, there is no privacy or space to hunker down and get the focus needed to perform deep work. The notifications of either company instant messages or replies on a tweet shifts focus faster than the Williams sisters playing a tennis match against each other. And sure, some simple data reports or tweaking of a website may be done, but did you really work?
Now, I don’t work at Google or Apple, or Facebook, but these concepts are also circulating in smaller organizations. I used to work in an office that was just mine which was nice because I could close the door and pretend no one else was in the suite. That idea was logical, except for the fact that I was still being constantly interrupted by phone calls, emails, or hearing my name being called from someone’s office. I would spend my days busy and moving nonstop only to reflect on my drive home that I actually didn’t get anything done. How could I?
Newport goes on to explain several principles that supplement the above notions:
The Principle of Least Resistance– If there is no indication of how behavior will impact a project, then we will most certainly go for whatever is easiest. For example, I often see emails get forwarded to me or others on a chain asking what they think about the previous email. Something like this is easy because it takes three seconds and then it’s out of sight, out of mind. However, it’s not really moving anything along. It’s just like sliding your last few checker pieces on the board as you try to avoid getting overtaken by the other player.
Busyness as a Proxy for Productivity– Basically, the busier you look, the busier you must be! Reading this one got to me because I witnessed several people, generally in executive positions, who peruse emails, schedule back-to-back meetings, and walk around the office suite all day long. To an outsider, they sure do look busy but there is no meaningful work done by the end of the day. Just menial tasks that require little to no cognitive thinking. And who ends up doing the work that they are supposed to be doing? People in positions like myself or lower. And they’re the ones making the big money. But I digress…
The Cult of the Internet- The Internet is viewed as an ideology rather than a noun in this context. Neil Postman coined the term technopoly which describes how our society has fully embraced technologies like the Internet as the almighty and we assume that all tech is good tech. We don’t even stop to reflect on how it could affect us negatively, we just accept it. If you resist this, then you are seen as “behind in the times.” A presence on social media means you are part of the new world and if you’re not on then what are you even doing? Remember folks:
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All of this has made me sit back and wonder: should everyone just stop what they’re doing and evaluate? Are we moving too fast for our own good? Is it time to go back to the basics? I think the answers to this might seem obvious but some people will definitely disagree. Personally, I think we are in a fast-paced world where your value is judged by how busy you are and the physical work you produce. Anything that comes along which escalates that (technology) is adapted and viewed as “just the thing we need.” In reality, our workforce is disintegrating and we are hidden behind the rush of it all to really see it. Just when will we have our realization? Most likely when it’s too late.
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