In the third week of a life of focus we explored workflows, how ultimately they are better than habits and how to being to optimise them.
I found the concept of workflows hard to grasp initially, especially as they relate to habits. Workflows are defined as:
A set or rules that tell you how efforts related to a particular type of work are identified, assigned, executed and reviewed.
This concept borrowed from manufacturing is distinct from habits. As instead of actually reducing or simplifying this work, habits just end to help you get through it.
Workflows address the root. They enable you to reduce and organise the work itself, not just help you through it.
We’ve established the importance of workflows, the next question is how do we optimise them.
Cal recommends starting by examining your outputs and working backwards. Your outputs are the types of work products or outcomes that you repeatedly produce?
A professional life made up of optimised workflows feels completely different than a haphazard working life. It’s calmer. You get more done in less time. It’s much more easily controllable.
In addition to the lessons, I have been reviews rule #2 in deep work. Rule #2 embrace boredom is essentially about different methods of increasing your ability to concentrate. Through means and rules such as dedicated screen time, and concentration intensity interval training.
In my third week of the deep work challenge I am starting to think I made my 15 hours a week too ambitious I am averaging out at around 12 each week. I also think that 90 minute deep working blocks are suiting me a lot better than my previous timings.
I had planned to focus on my deep working rituals this week. I have been able to settle on and practice a ritual to start deep work (deep work journal, coffee, eternal youth song, 10 deep breathes), however I am yet to confirm and practice an end of work one. Perhaps what is slowing me down is do I need two, one for the end of a 90 minute block and one for the end of the day.
Eoghan‘s Blog 