The Two Kinds of Work

Neil has come to realise there are 2 kinds of work. The first is bookkeeping, routine admin, scheduling lessons, lesson plans etc, the everyday routine work that is so regular that it does not require 100% focus. The second kind is ‘deep’ work, the most challenging, energising, absorbing and ‘time-distorting’ work.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Deep work is characterised by a total focus on just the work at hand. Eliminate distractions. Deep work also requires solitude unless it involves collaboration.  Schedule blocks of time for the activity, be it hours, days, weeks or months. Monitor your deep work. Choose a measurable result that can be easily tracked. BEST MOMENTS ‘This shallow work can be done pretty much while handling everything else, the phone ringing, the emails coming and going, the odd flash of seductive on-screen entertainment with lurid headlines and click-bait pictures.’   ‘Elimination of distractions! That means turn your phone off and put it somewhere else. Turn off your screen notifications. Get away from all those alluring non-subscription entertainment products like Reddit, YouTube, Twitter and so on.’    ‘Your deep work could be very different to mine and that’s totally cool. It just has to be the most important and demanding thing for you.’  ‘I’ve always said that all my problems come with hair on top. These days we are all expected to respond to emails, text messages, DM’s and PM’s and phone calls and the like in a very short time.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Tutor Podcast  www.Neilcowmeadow.com ABOUT THE HOST Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! CONTACT METHOD [email protected]