The Benefits of Working without Distractions
Have you ever considered how working amid distractions impacts the quality of your work? According to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, quality is a function of the depth in which we work. Deep work occurs when we engross ourselves in a cognitively demanding task – entering a deep state of concentration (without distractions). This, in turn, pushes our intellect and ingenuity beyond their usual limits and allows us to create something of worth. Shallow work, on the other hand, occurs without much conscious effort – often amid distractions – and doesn’t create any real value. Newport asserts that deep work is increasingly rare in our society, while shallow work has become the norm. Consequently, the quality of our work has diminished, and we’re often dissatisfied with what we produce. As I reflected on these ideas, I considered how distractions have affected my ability to do deep work over the years – particularly within the realm of academic writing.
Any time I have tried to accomplish a writing task in an environment with frequent distractions, composing a good paragraph (let alone a good paper) has felt next to impossible. Perhaps I would be contemplating what I wanted to say and suddenly my dogs would start barking. I’d look up, wondering what they were barking at, and whatever I had been contemplating was lost. Maybe I had already figured out what I wanted to say and was beginning to arrange my ideas on paper just as my roommate started clanking dishes in the kitchen. I would then wonder what she was cooking, think about what I should have for lunch, and then…. wait…. what was I just writing? When I’ve written in this type of environment and tried to think deeply about the content, organization, and flow of my work, I could only focus for a few minutes at a time. If I didn’t get all of my thoughts written down before the next distraction, I would have to start that section all over. I imagine it’s like when a band is trying to record a song in the studio and the lead vocalist keeps singing off key halfway through each take. They might spend hours recording before they finally produce a single quality track. It’s frustrating to say the least. And because interruptions make it difficult to think deeply and develop good ideas, they often lead to mediocre work – lacking in clarity and cohesion.
On the other hand, when I have tried to accomplish a writing task in the absence of distractions, I’ve been able to compose entire pieces unimpeded. My thoughts flow together in harmony, and I can focus long enough to fully form a creative idea and get it down on paper. If I’m home alone, I can spend several consecutive hours on a piece of writing, taking breaks periodically for contemplation. If I can’t concentrate at home, I might travel to a quiet coffeeshop near the university: A place where students are engrossed in their own work and interruptions are minimal. Writing without frequent environmental distractions enables me to concentrate, think deeply, and write with better quality.
For instance, when I was tasked with writing an analysis of how schizophrenia is portrayed in A Beautiful Mind, I completed each step of the process while home alone without interruptions. I watched the movie intently, pausing and rewinding as needed, while I took notes and carefully compared my observations to the various symptoms detailed in the DSM-5. I then reflected in silence, organized my thoughts on paper, and spent the remainder of the weekend drafting my analysis. My own assessment of the quality of the writing was confirmed when my professor graded the assignment and handed it back to me with a note that said, “This is one of the best papers I’ve read in a long time.” Writing without distractions helped me ensure I didn’t miss important details and enabled me to orchestrate something that was well-organized, thorough, and insightful. Not only did it earn praise from my professor, but it also left me feeling a deep sense of accomplishment.
Whether your aim is to write an impressive, thought-provoking paper or to excel at some other difficult project you’ve undertaken, I encourage you try it in an environment free of distractions. Experience the equanimity and sustained attention that come in the absence of repeated interruptions. See how the quality of your work improves when you can think more fluently. Feel how your sense of pride and accomplishment crescendo. Learn firsthand how you, too, can benefit from deep work.
Reference
Newport, C. (2016). Deep work: Rules for focused success in a distracted world. Grand Central Publishing.
Cassandra Hoffman has been a member of the Interactive Measurement Group since the fall of 2020. During her time in the lab, she has served as a poster team leader and managing editor for the lab’s newsletter, and she has conducted a variety of workshops to help new and existing lab members. In the spring of 2022, she will be graduating with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. After she graduates, she plans to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, hopefully doing research on trauma and stressor-related disorders.