Having delved into the realms of productivity with titles like Getting Things Done and Building a Second Brain, I eagerly picked up Cal Newport's Deep Work. While denser and reference-packed, Newport's insights into focused, uninterrupted work make a compelling case. The idea of deep work, blocking out interruptions and resisting the allure of shallow tasks, resonated with me.

While not ready to fully embrace extreme examples, I appreciated Newport's Rhythmic model. Scheduling 1-2 hours of deep work in the early morning or evening aligns more with my reality. Working in a bustling open office posed challenges, but Newport's strategies for batching shallow work and establishing rituals for deep work are adaptable.

As someone navigating the demands of a big open-plan office, I found Newport's advice thought-provoking. Although not every tip was immediately applicable, I'm keen to explore ways to carve out focused time amidst the daily hustle, inspired by Deep Work's practical approach to productivity.