Deep Work Sessions Structure

I used to believe more hours = more productivity. I was wrong. I used to be a slave to my to-do list, constantly looking for “more hours”. But, as Sahil Bloom shows us so wonderfully in this excerpt from his new book, 'The 5 Types of Wealth'... You don’t need more hours. You need better balance. Because not all time is created equal. Here's an overview of the four types of professional time (courtesy of Sahil)  and how you can use this wisdom to better structure your days: 🔴 Management Time – Meetings, emails, coordination. 🟢 Creation Time – Deep work, building, producing. 🔵 Consumption Time – Learning, reading, listening. 🟡 Ideation Time – Thinking, brainstorming, strategizing. When you mismanage these, your days feel chaotic. When you balance them, your work (and life) flow. I’ve snapped a photo from Sahil’s book so you can visually see how these four categories can bring better balance to your week. The main point is to start being more intentional about how you use your time, and group similar activities together. Here's how I've applied some of these lessons in my own life  (and how you can too): ✅ Stop checking your email in the morning I used to start my day in my inbox. But you can't plan your days around other people’s priorities. Spend the first 90 minutes each day in deep work before even glancing at your email. ✅ Create “meeting-free” days Back-to-back meetings kill focus. Implement at least one no-meeting day each week, reserving that time instead for your biggest needle-movers. ✅ Batch small tasks together Multitasking is a massive productivity killer. Instead of endlessly switching between small tasks, I now stack my admin work into a defined 30-minute block. Less task switching + more focus = greater output. ✅ Schedule time to think Yes, there is such a thing as “time to think”! Set aside at least 30 minutes of screen-free time each day. Your best ideas often come when you're by yourself. ✅ “Audit” your time every week I used to pack my weeks blindly. Now, I review where I'm spending my time and adjust the split, depending on my priorities. If you see yourself spending too much time in one category, you may need to rebalance. Look at your week. What dominates your schedule? Are you making real progress or are you just keeping busy? And if you need a blueprint for mastering your time - as well as the social, mental, physical, and financial aspects of your life - then Sahil’s new book 'The 5 Types of Wealth' is an absolute must-read. Order it here and take charge of your life: https://lnkd.in/dnPpts2e ⏳ Remember, time is your most precious asset. Once spent, you can never earn it back. So take control and make it count.

Working in an office killed my focus and productivity. Here’s how I now optimise my remote working environment. Back story: I didn’t know I had ADHD when I worked in-house before going freelance. I told every prior employer I struggled working in an office, even though I didn’t understand why. I always requested to WFH, which was usually denied. The office environments I was working in were never optimal for me as they were created with neurotypicals in mind. I was constantly in an unproductive state of distraction and overstimulation. And most of my senses were triggered by: • Harsh or flashing artificial lighting • Messy environments with lots of clutter • Strong smells: food, drink, cleaning products etc • Music playing on the radio that created sound sensitivity • Colleagues speaking to me or each other when I’m in a deep hyperfocus mode • Or complete silence meaning all I could focus on was people chewing, coughing, typing… There was never any additional support or adjustments. This usually led to brain fog, irritability, restlessness, poor focus and discomfort. When I started my business over 2 years ago, it was the perfect opportunity to find my ideal working environment. And here’s what I’ve learned works for me - LOW STIMULATION ENVIRONMENTS: (Working from home, being outdoors, at a private co-working space) Like the environment in this video where there are few distractions. → Natural daylight → Minimal, neutral decor → Tidy, clutter-free environment → White/ brown/ bilateral sounds → Soothing scents - flowers/ sea/ candles HIGH STIMULATION ENVIRONMENTS: (Coffee shops, hotels, co-working environments, office spaces, library) Optimised for switching locations from desk and chair to sofa > indoors to outdoors etc. → Daylight, colour-changing lamp or dark moody environment → Neutral decor or bolder colours → Contains more useful clutter → Ambient music/ sounds → Relaxing scents Don’t get me wrong, I still switch up my locations 2-3 times per day. But at least I know my triggers now and understand my overstimulation/ sensitivities. - When I’m working remotely in the UK, it’s usually: WFH > coffee shop > garden or Coffee shop no.1 > WFH > hotel > coffee shop no.2 > WFH When I’m working remotely abroad, it’s usually: WFH > coffee shop > work in direct sunlight or Work on the balcony > move to sofa > move to table > balcony again > move to floor (😂) - Learning about ADHD, finding my ideal working environment and having the freedom and flexibility to work remotely has genuinely been a game-changer. P.s. this video is my ideal environment. How could it not be!? 🌊☀️ Smell of the salty air Soaking in the sun’s rays Sound of the roaring waves Eating my wee fruit & nut bowl Warm weather with an ocean breeze Regular screen breaks with this coastal view Sunny balcony = peak productivity for me 💭Where’s your ideal working environment? #adhd #adhdawareness #remoteworking

🚀 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 🚀 As the placement season approaches, I've been reflecting on the strategies that have helped me stay focused and excel in my preparation journey. Here are some tips that might just resonate with you: [1] 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: Create a dedicated, clutter-free zone where you can immerse yourself in your studies. A comfortable chair, good lighting, and organized materials can work wonders in boosting your productivity. [2] 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: Define specific daily or weekly goals for your preparation. This not only gives you a sense of direction but also a feeling of accomplishment as you tick them off your list. [3] 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Divide your study time into focused blocks, say 60-90 minutes, followed by a short break. During these blocks, commit to working solely on your preparation tasks. The ticking timer can be a motivating force! [4] 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐱: Social media, notifications, and random online browsing can be major distractions. Consider using apps or browser extensions that block these distractions during your study hours. [5] 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: Identify the topics or areas you need to cover and prioritize them based on your strengths and weaknesses. Create a study plan that allocates sufficient time to each subject. [6] 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help improve your focus and attention span. A calm mind is a productive mind! [7] 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟: After completing a challenging task or achieving a milestone, treat yourself to a short break or a small reward. This positive reinforcement can motivate you to stay on track. [8] 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Share your goals with a friend or mentor who can hold you accountable. Regular check-ins can provide the encouragement and support you need. [9] 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Focusing on one task at a time leads to better results. Avoid juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, as it can hinder your ability to grasp concepts deeply. [10] 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞: Adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining your energy levels and cognitive function. Remember, preparation is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the right mindset and habits. Embrace the journey, stay positive, and don't let distractions deter you from reaching your full potential. 🌟 Feel free to share your own strategies and experiences in the comments below. Let's support each other in our pursuit of success! 👇 ---------------------- #PlacementPreparation #Focus #Productivity #SuccessMindset

As a product leader, have you ever felt like you're constantly working two jobs? Meetings by day, real work by night. You're not alone As product leaders, we're constantly juggling two distinct roles: the strategic thinker 🧠 and the team manager 👥. Finding the right balance between deep work and rapid context switching can be a daunting challenge, especially in today's hybrid work environment. In my latest article, I discuss the concept of the Maker's Schedule vs. Manager's Schedule, why product managers and leaders need to do both, and provide a four-step approach to designing a time management strategy that enables you to excel: 1️⃣ Audit and plan your time to align with priorities 2️⃣ Implement your ideal schedule by culling meetings and blocking off deep work time 3️⃣ Protect your time by saying "no," setting boundaries, and coordinating with your team 4️⃣ Create mental space for deep work using warm-up tasks, managing energy, and transition rituals Mastering the maker-manager balance is an ongoing journey that requires intentionality and experimentation. By understanding the demands of both roles and implementing these strategies, you can significantly boost your productivity and impact as a product leader. 📈💡 Want to learn more? Check out the full article and let me know your thoughts! What strategies have you found effective for managing your time as a product leader? 👇 #ProductManagement #TimeManagement #Leadership #DeepWork #ProductLeaders

I always thought that I was abnormal for craving breaks where I travel, stay alone, read, and reflect on what I want to do next. Many around me couldn't associate with this need for solitude and introspection. However, these moments are crucial for me to recharge and engage in deep work. While reading "Deep Work" by Cal Newport, I was glad to discover that this is a recognized approach to achieving deep, meaningful work. It's reassuring to know that many people use these periods of focused solitude to produce their best work. So, I am not the odd one out. Here are the 5 Key Takeaways: 1. The Importance of Deep Work Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. This kind of work creates new value, improves your skill, and is hard to replicate. In an increasingly distracted world, deep work is becoming more rare and therefore more valuable. 2. Shallow Work vs. Deep Work Shallow work refers to tasks that are not cognitively demanding and are often performed while distracted. These tasks do not create much value and are easy to replicate. Newport emphasizes the need to reduce shallow work to make more time for deep work, which leads to significant professional and personal growth. 3. Rituals and Routines To cultivate deep work, Newport suggests establishing rituals and routines to minimize the friction in transitioning to deep work. This can include setting a specific time and place for deep work, deciding on a work duration, and setting rules for how you'll work and what you'll avoid (like social media). 4. Embrace Boredom Newport argues that we must train our brains to embrace boredom and avoid the constant stimulation of digital devices. This helps build focus and the ability to do deep work. Scheduling breaks from focus and resisting the urge to constantly switch tasks can help in this regard. 5. Quit Social Media Social media platforms are designed to be addictive and can severely disrupt your ability to perform deep work. Newport advocates for a conscious evaluation of the tools and technologies you use. He suggests quitting or significantly reducing the use of social media and other distractions unless they are proven to provide substantial benefits to your professional and personal goals. If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it. It provides valuable insights into how you can harness the power of deep work to boost your productivity and achieve your goals. #DeepWork #Productivity #PersonalGrowth #CalNewport #SelfImprovement #Solotravel #breaks #Routineandrituals

One of the biggest productivity killers in a job search isn’t lack of effort, it’s the cost of switching. As per a report by The Economist, professionals lose nearly 28% of their workday to multitasking and distractions. Think about what that means your job searching: - You sit down at 10:00 AM to update your resume. - At 10:10, you check LinkedIn notifications. - At 10:20, you reply to a WhatsApp message. - At 10:30, you start looking at job openings. - At 10:40, you’re watching a YouTube video on interview tips. - At 10:50, you’re back to your resume again. The day started with the intention of making progress. But most of the energy was spent switching between tasks. And every switch comes with a hidden cost: lost focus, lost momentum, and lost time. For job seekers, this is especially dangerous because job search success is built on consistency, not intensity. A few practical ways to fix this: 1. Create “Mono Work Blocks” Dedicate 30-45 minutes to one activity only. - Applying for jobs? Just apply for jobs. - Networking? Send connection requests and personalized messages. - Resume updates? Only work on your resume. No email. No WhatsApp. No LinkedIn scrolling. Just one task. 2. Design Your Environment: Keep distractions away. Close gmail. Close Teams. Put your phone out of reach. Open only the tabs you need for the task you’re working on. Make focus the default. 3. Batch Similar Activities Together - Don’t apply for a job, then network, then edit your resume, then prepare for interviews. Group similar activities into dedicated blocks. Your brain performs far better when it doesn’t have to constantly change gears. In today’s hyper-connected world, your attention is under attack every minute. The people who make the fastest progress aren’t always the most talented. They’re often the ones who can stay focused on one thing long enough to finish it. Protect your attention. It’s one of the most valuable career assets you have. #jobsearch #careergrowth

Productivity isn’t what people do more of; it’s what leaders remove. I learned this the hard way. Recently I was hit with SSNHL (sensorineural hearing loss). Overnight, my “always on” operating system crashed. No amount of caffeine or late-night heroics could brute-force me back to normal. That shock rewired how I lead. It taught me that high output isn’t about squeezing, it's about designing systems where excellence is sustainable. Leaders. We need an operating rule: Design the work so your best people never have to be heroes. Here’s the weekly, 30-min leadership ritual I use to increase output without burning people out. It runs on 3 simple, metrics. 1️⃣ Capacity (Do we have the oxygen?) - What to track: Workload vs. bandwidth at the team level (story points/OKR load vs. true capacity), and the top 3 systemic constraints throttling flow (people bottlenecks, approvals, tool friction). - What to do: Remove 1 constraint every week. Not all 3, just one. Shift scope, defer work, or break the dependency. Output is a function of constraint removal, not pep talks. - Anti-pattern to kill: “We’ll make it work.” That’s a tax on tomorrow’s quality and morale. 2️⃣ Context-switches (Are we protecting deep work?) - What to track: Interruptions per person (meetings, Slack/Teams pings, unplanned asks), time in meetings vs. maker time, and number of concurrent “priorities.” - What to do: Cap work-in-progress. Ring-fence 10–15 hours of maker time per week per builder. Bundle decisions into twice-weekly “decision hours” to reduce ad-hoc interrupts. - Anti-pattern to kill: “Jump on a quick call?” Quick calls are death by a thousand cuts. 3️⃣ Recovery (Are we restoring the system?) - What to track: Actual time off taken, detachment quality (did people truly unplug?), and energy signals (morale pulse, defect rates, cycle time drift). - What to do: Institutionalize recovery. Friday “no new work” blocks, mandatory cool-down after ship, rotations off the front line, and leaders modeling real disconnection. - Anti-pattern to kill: Celebrating burnout as commitment. Burnout is not a badge, it's a backlog of unmet leadership duties. Capacity focuses leadership attention on leverage, constraint removal turns busy teams into productive teams. Context-switch control preserves cognition, fewer switches equals higher quality and speed. Recovery compounds performance, rested systems learn, adapt, and out-innovate exhausted ones. If you only do one thing this week, do this: 1️⃣ Cancel one recurring meeting that adds 0 value. 2️⃣ Eliminate 1 dependency blocking a high-impact stream. 3️⃣ Protect one 3-hour deep-work block for your top builder. I am still recovering and thankful to the Polish Healthcare System every day I can access. I can’t get back the hearing I lost. But I found a leadership rule I wish I’d learned sooner: sustainable systems beat unsustainable heroics, every time. Which of the three metrics capacity, context-switches, or recovery resonates more? 

One thing that genuinely changed my job search journey… I set up my environment. Not just my room. My entire environment online and offline. When I was job searching, I realised something simple: 📌You can't stay focused if your environment keeps pulling you away. So I made small but powerful changes: 📌I cleaned my room Not to make it aesthetic… but to remove the "chaos" I saw every time I opened my eyes. A clean space = a clear mind. I didn't understand this until I actually did it. 📌I trained my social media algorithm I stopped scrolling random content. I intentionally liked, saved, followed, and engaged with data analytics posts. Slowly my feed changed. Every swipe started teaching me something new. I saw dashboards. SQL tricks. Python snippets. Career stories. Resume tips. And I didn't even realise… I was learning passively. 📌I replaced Instagram time with LinkedIn time I spent more time reading blogs, posts, comments, and people's journeys. It shaped my mindset. It kept me grounded. And it reminded me daily what I was working toward. 📌I built an environment that supported my goals And trust me this made the biggest difference. Your environment is either pulling you closer to your career… or distracting you away from it. We often think job search starts with applications. But honestly? It starts the moment you set up an environment where growth becomes natural. If you're preparing for a job, especially in data, try this: Fix your space. Fix your feed. Fix what you consume. Fix what you surround yourself with. Because once your environment changes… your focus changes. your habits change. your results change. And that's exactly what happened to me.

You have a stack. Now what? A stack without routines is fragile. A routine without workflows doesn’t scale. And a workflow without intention becomes automation theater. In Chapter 7 of Artificial Organizations, we explore how leaders can redesign the routines that already run their week into repeatable AI workflows that improve clarity, consistency, and decision-making. This session focuses on the shift from isolated AI usage to end-to-end executive workflows. I’ll walk through: - why workflows matter more than tools - how high-performing leaders stack behaviors, not software - the executive workflow pattern: Capture → Summarize → Classify → Distribute → Track - how to redesign Weekly Business Reviews into decision engines - what makes an ExecutiveGPT actually useful - why structure, inputs, and guardrails matter more than prompting tricks - how leaders create systems that improve execution without scaling administrative overhead The discussion includes practical examples from leadership, operations, and HR teams building reusable workflows inside real operating environments, including the Progyny case study on scaling employee experience with clear intent, strong boundaries, and real usage. This chapter is about workflow design. The leaders getting the most value from AI are not chasing more tools. They are redesigning how information moves, how decisions are supported, and how execution compounds over time. Because leverage doesn’t come from executing tasks more productively. It comes from performing the work that matters consistently better.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 I often hear leaders say, "We need to optimize our workflow with digital tools." But here's what usually happens: They buy a fancy new tool. Spend weeks setting it up. Train the team. And then... Nothing changes. Why? Because they didn't solve the real problem. Here's how to actually optimize your workflow: 1. Map out your current process What steps do you take? Where are the bottlenecks? What takes the most time? 2. Identify the root causes Is it a people problem? A process problem? Or a technology problem? 3. Set clear goals What does "optimized" look like? How will you measure success? 4. Choose the right tool Look for one that solves your specific problems Not just the one with the coolest features 5. Implement in phases Start small Get quick wins Build momentum 6. Measure and adjust Track your progress Be ready to change course if needed I've seen teams cut their workflow time in half using this approach. Without spending a fortune on new tech. The key? Focus on the problem, not the solution. What's holding your team back from peak efficiency?