I have been working on research proyects at university, so I completely understand your need for deep work.

GTD is highly useful in order to clear your desk (and even better, your mind!) for the right focus. Proactive handling of all “academic widgets”, for example administrative forms, paperwork and other kind of non-academic distraction can really boost your concentration!

Once your thinking about the big problems, the question “what is the next action to solve this?” is one of the most reliable guidances in order to turn those great ideas into extraordinary, tangible outcomes.

Best,

Axel

Looking forward to the discussion. I think everyone’s points are very well-stated.

Hi David, you might be limiting your definition by thinking that a widget has to be a small amount of time like 5–10 minutes. You mentioned thinking about major problems. Assuming you have those problems defined as projects, and that you’ve scheduled the block of time, that block of time is a widget to take action on that project.

I’ll start this as a thread in the forum for a potentially longer discussion.

Even “deep work” still boils down to “Pick up pen, write down my observations of the experiement.” or “Call John to set next semester’s planning meeting”. The point of the essay is in the value of “getting your work off your mind”, so that you’re free to bring 100% of your focus to bear on whatever your work is in any given moment. It’s even that much more critical for “deep work”, that when you’re engaged in it, you’re not being distracted by “don’t forget to buy cat food on the way home.”.

-David