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I love writing and thinking about strategies to improve attention. And I love teaching others. Deep work has done more to improve my attention than anything else aside from meditation. I continue to do it regularly. Offering it in a group setting not only holds me accountable for getting my work done, it brings me a lot of satisfaction to see how it can help others who are struggling with attention issues.

Most people think they need to know how to concentrate before they can do deep work. But that's not the case. In fact, the DeepCycles protocol trains you how to concentrate. The more you do it, the better your focus becomes. Sure, it might be challenging at first. But very soon you'll see dramatic improvements in your ability to pay attention in work and life.

The 30-minute cycle strikes a balance, offering substantial time for deep work without being too lengthy, minimizing the risk of prolonged distraction. The 10-minute break provides ample time for reflection on the past cycle, planning the next one, and taking a genuine rest.

While you might initially feel interrupted, remember two things: Breaks are crucial for maintaining high-quality focus. Prolonged work without breaks often leads to diminished concentration. Also, DeepCycles is designed as a series of intense focus sprints, with each 30-minute cycle followed by a restorative break. The keyword here is 'intense'. This structure maximizes productivity and focus over multiple cycles. So whereas you might feel you can work for 3 hours straight without a break, it’s more likely the last hour (at least) is diminished, whereas doing 6 work cycles (30 minutes each) should keep you working at maximum intensity.

Opt for tasks that:

- Can be done independently, without needing to communicate with others or search the internet. In short, tasks that don't open the possibility for distraction.
- Can be segmented into 30-minute chunks. For example, a project like 'Create a deck' can be broken down into smaller tasks such as compiling an outline, drafting text, arranging slides, and adding graphics. Challenge yourself to fit tasks into these focused intervals to discover your true productivity potential.

Estimating task duration is a skill that improves with practice. DeepCycles help hone this skill, enabling you to make accurate judgments about what you can accomplish in set timeframes, which is a valuable asset in all work scenarios.

It’s very important to step away from your work completely after each cycle. This is what provides full restoration. Research shows that even relatively low levels of work (like scanning emails) doesn’t give the mind the break it needs to recover and be able to work with full intensity the next cycle.

Analog analog analog. Do not check your phone or browse websites. Walk around. Stretch. Fold some clothes. Breathe. Do jumping jacks. Pretend you're an athlete in the locker room between quarters. What would you do to make sure you're in peak condition once you go back into the game? Scrolling your phone won't get you there.

Prepare any drinks before the session starts to avoid interruptions. Consuming fluids during cycles and breaks is fine, but snacking during cycles is discouraged as it can lead to minor, yet cumulative, distractions not only for yourself but for others. If you need to eat, do so during the breaks to maintain focus and respect the group dynamic.