Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

by Cal Newport

Busyness as Proxy for Productivity: In the absence of clear indicators of what it means to be productive and valuable in their jobs, many knowledge workers turn back toward an industrial indicator of productivity: doing lots of stuff in a visible manner.

Not all work has to be visible to others, it is also important to make your work seem outwardly effortless.

To build your working life around the experience of flow produced by deep work is a proven path to deep satisfaction.

The machine, which takes its name from the ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia (a state in which you’re achieving your full human potential), turns out to be a building.

I’ll pay attention to what you say if you pay attention to what I say—regardless of its value.

The problem with the modern state of social media in its attempts to devalue the work it takes to traditionally gain a following on the internet. Likes are generated by obligation instead of admiration for the work.