Satisfaction Brought It Back
"To do it right, it is the most complicated thing I know how to make," says Ric Furrer about his medieval sword-making practices in Cal Newport's book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. Furrer is a craftsman who has honed his skill for deep work to maintain a state of intense concentration on his craft. Any slip of his attention could potentially cost him hours of work. Ric Furrer considers his work worthwhile, which gives him a life well-lived. Furrer's work is complicated to implement, but his productivity rate can be easily measured by the ever-present "widgets per hour" example (i.e. how many swords can he forge in a given amount of time). However, knowledge workers produce in abstract roles that can't be simplified down to "widgets per hour" or "swords per week." Even more, knowledge workers are encouraged to stay present in shallow activities, such as e-mails and social media, to appear busy which hinders beneficial concentration.
In a study by Stanford psychologist Laura Carstensen, subjects' brain behaviors were examined via an fMRI scanner in response to a series of positive and negative stimuli. The study found the amygdala was activated in response to both stimuli in younger subjects, but the amygdala was only triggered in response to positive stimuli in elderly subjects. The elderly trained their brains to react only to the good in the world, thus offering them a more meaningful present without changing their circumstances. Winifred Gallagher argues that practicing deep work opens your mind to more meaningfulness. Most often, we prioritize the circumstances we face and look to the future over staying present. Our brains develop a perspective based on what we consciously pay attention to.
"I'll choose my targets with care… then give them my rapt attention. In short, I'll live the focused life, because it's the best kind there is."
Winifred Gallagher, Rapt
Focusing on working deeply also prevents you from thinking about unpleasant things. When you lose focus, your mind will wander to what could be wrong over what could be right. Unfortunately, knowledge work provides a plethora of available distractions. Depth increases your ability to control your thought processes, developing your ability to focus on the meaningful parts of work and life.
"Human beings, it seems, are at their best when immersed deeply in something challenging."
Cal Newport, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
According to Csikszentmihalyi, our best flow state happens when we willfully push ourselves to accomplish a difficult but meaningful task. By its very nature, deep work can be rewarding. Deep work engenders the flow state, which in turn creates happiness and satisfaction. Cultivating the craft of knowledge work requires dedication to working deeply.