Deep work: increase your concentration to do your best work

During the workday, a large number of workers are attracted to quick and easy tasks. The time spent on them makes them feel productive.

However, the truth is that they only represent a labor mirage. Rather, they slow down the progress of strategic projects. Quite the opposite of what deep work does. 

This concept serves to define those professional activities carried out with a concentration that leads cognitive abilities to the limit. An effort that drives the improvement of worker’s skills.

Before focusing on the importance of this way of working, let’s get to know its opposite, superficial work.

What is surface work?

It is a term that can be used to contrast it with deep work. It would include all those tasks that do not require a great cognitive effort. 

These are tasks that can be performed even when you are distracted. And of course, since they don’t add much value, they are easy to replicate. In fact, all these monotonous, easily executable jobs will be the first to be automated. 

Some of these superficial activities are usually, for example:

• Excessive email queries

• Meetings of minor importance

• Technological distractions

Consequences of superficial work

While deep work focuses on the professional’s concentration, the excess of superficial work causes the splitting of attention periods. Switching from one project to another frequently tends to reduce the quality of the work done.

If managers spend more time on important projects on interruptions or emails than on the project itself, the level of execution drops.

Superficial work often leads to the delusion that we are working hard. We do many simple tasks at the same time, but none of real importance. True discipline, deep work, is sitting at the desk and staying focused on a complicated task for several hours. 

A classic feature of this deceptive way of working is that professionals delay important tasks for months at a time. Sometimes it takes a long time for someone to detect it.

Deep work: the antithesis of superficial work

Doing in-depth work, with a high level of concentration, is a different story. The professional avoids distractions, focusing their efforts on truly productive work. It is undoubtedly a valuable activity that is difficult to automate.

Dedicating a small part of the available time to read and answer emails is necessary, of course. But as long as they do not become a priority. 

The key to increasing productivity in workspaces is to provide them with a design that favors deep work. Also, of course, having competent managers who know how to motivate and demand quality work from their team members. 

Initiatives to promote deep work in companies

• Establish routines and habits

Creating common habits for all team members favors the development of the activity. There may be a time for superficial work and a time for deep work. When the latter takes place, there should be no interruptions.

Another measure to avoid breaking the concentration is to reduce the number of meetings. There are companies that, for example, have implemented Friday without meetings. An interesting idea to make the most of the last day of the week.

• Use common codes indicating concentration

Many offices have enclosed spaces so that their professionals can carry out their deep work in peace. In open spaces, on the other hand, codes are usually established so as not to disturb concentrated workers. 

In technology companies, for example, software developers wearing headsets signal to others that they are focused. Gathering in a small group while working individually serves to enhance the concept of concentration.

• Flexibility with remote work

Facilitating remote work to develop deep work is an economical and productive option. It must be taken into account that there are many offices that lack the space to carry it out together with the superficial work activities. 

It’s a win-win situation for both employers and workers. The former save and the latter work more intensively at home and leave the superficial tasks for the office.

• Allocate specific spaces in the office

This is ideal. Many offices, as mentioned above, have these spaces. However, they often lack the necessary soundproofing measures to achieve total isolation. 

Allocating part of the budget to create these spaces also encourages workers to opt for a return to the office, either through a hybrid or a fully face-to-face work model. 

Having professionals identify these quiet spaces as areas for deep work can serve to instill a corporate culture of concentration. 

Cloudworks has private and serviced offices in Madrid (Cibeles and Salamanca) and Barcelona (Tuset-Diagonal, Passeig de Gràcia, La Rambla-Drassanes, Sagrada Familia, etc.).

Here you can work in a private space designed to enhance productivity in a stimulating environment. Get to know our facilities! They are sure to be the place you are looking for to concentrate on deep work.