Deep Work and Focus: Deep Work, Indistractable and The 4-Hour Workweek

Breni's Deep Work path teaches focus through three popular books. There are 3 courses: Deep Work by Cal Newport, Indistractable by Nir Eyal, and The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. Newport shows why focused work is valuable and how to schedule it, Eyal shows how to handle the urges behind distraction, and Ferriss shows how to cut low-value work. Learners finish with a time-blocked plan for one week.

  • 3 courses
  • 39 learning objectives
  • Level: beginner
  • Language: English
  • Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

  • Tell deep work from shallow work in your own week
  • Plan a day with time blocks
  • Name the feelings that trigger your distractions
  • Set a pact that makes distraction harder
  • Use the 80/20 rule to drop low-value tasks

Full curriculum

Part 1 · Focus

1. Deep Work by Cal Newport: Focus Without Distraction

Schedule and protect long stretches of focused work. Units, in order: Deep work and shallow work; Why deep work is rare and valuable; Rituals for working deeply; Time blocking your day; Quitting social media.

  • — Deep and Shallow Work
    Learn what deep and shallow work mean in your daily job.
    • Define deep work
    • Understand shallow work
  • — Why Deep Work Matters
    Discover why focused work is rare and valuable today.
    • Master hard things
    • Avoid distraction traps
  • — Rituals for Deep Work
    Use routines and rituals to build strong daily focus habits.
    • Pick a depth philosophy
    • Build focus rituals
    • Embrace boredom daily
  • — Time Blocking Your Day
    Organize your calendar into specific blocks for every task.
    • Learn time blocking
    • Schedule every minute
    • Plan daily tasks
  • — Quitting Social Media
    Evaluate network tools and cut out shallow distractions.
    • Evaluate tools strictly
    • Quit social media
    • Drain shallow tasks

2. Indistractable by Nir Eyal: Control Your Attention

Use the four steps of Indistractable to stay on the work you planned. Units, in order: Traction and distraction; Mastering internal triggers; Making time for traction with timeboxing; Hacking back external triggers; Preventing distraction with pacts.

  • — Traction and Distraction
    Learn the difference between traction and distraction in daily life.
    • What is indistractable
    • Traction versus distraction
  • — Mastering Internal Triggers
    Find and control the uncomfortable emotional states that cause distraction.
    • Internal triggers root cause
    • The ten minute rule
  • — Time for Traction
    Use timeboxing to plan your day and protect your focus.
    • Timeboxing your day
    • Measuring success with time
  • — Hacking External Triggers
    Customize your environment to stop interruptions from notifications and people.
    • Turning off notifications
    • Interrupting home interruptions
  • — Preventing Distraction with Pacts
    Use pre-commitments and pacts as your last line of defense.
    • Understanding effort pacts
    • Planning ahead for focus

Part 2 · Leverage

3. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss: Cut Busywork and Win Back Time

Cut, automate and hand off low-value work to win back time. Units, in order: The new rich and mini-retirements; The 80/20 rule; Parkinson's law and short deadlines; Automation and outsourcing; Working remotely; What critics say.

  • — The New Rich and Mini-Retirements
    Learn to escape the traditional 9 to 5 work model and travel early.
    • Escape the 9 to 5
    • Geo-arbitrage and time freedom
    • Try mini-retirements
  • — Understanding the Pareto Principle
    Discover how a small percentage of causes drives the majority of results.
    • The Pareto principle basics
    • Apply 80/20 to work
    • Effectiveness versus efficiency
  • — Parkinson's Law and Deadlines
    Use short deadlines and information limits to boost daily productivity.
    • What is Parkinson's law
    • Shorten work time
    • Low information diet
  • — Automation and Outsourcing
    Hand off tasks and build passive income streams using simple systems.
    • Eliminate before you delegate
    • Use virtual assistants
    • Build an automated muse
  • — Embracing Remote Work
    Explore location independence and remote working strategies for freedom.
    • Ideas for remote work
    • Secret travel experiments
  • — Critical Perspectives
    Examine common criticisms and warnings regarding the book's methods.
    • Reviewing the book flaws
    • Questioning fake expertise

Sample: Deep Work by Cal Newport: Focus Without Distraction

The opening tier, (Deep and Shallow Work). Learn what deep and shallow work mean in your daily job.

Define deep work

Deep work is distraction free concentration that pushes your cognitive limits.

Understand shallow work

Shallow work consists of non demanding logistical tasks performed while distracted.

Questions about Deep Work and Focus: Deep Work, Indistractable and The 4-Hour Workweek

What is deep work?

Cal Newport defines deep work as focused work without distraction that pushes your skills to their limit. Shallow work is easier, more routine work that is often done while distracted.

What are the four steps of Indistractable?

Nir Eyal's steps are master internal triggers, make time for traction, hack back external triggers, and prevent distraction with pacts.

Is The 4-Hour Workweek realistic?

Few people reach a four-hour week, and critics say parts of the book are exaggerated. Its ideas on cutting low-value work and using short deadlines are still useful, and the course focuses on those.

Is Breni affiliated with the authors?

No. Breni is not affiliated with Cal Newport, Nir Eyal, Tim Ferriss or their publishers.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes, finishing all 3 courses earns a Breni certificate of completion.

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