Deep Work – Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World – Cal Newport
This is one of the best books I have read as a business owner. It speaks to the challenges and the need for building habits that support “deep work” in an instant gratification, Facebook-liking society. It is a mix of cultural criticism and actionable advice.
“Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It’s a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship. In short, deep work is like a superpower in our increasingly competitive twenty-first-century economy. And yet, most people have lost the ability to go deep – spending their days instead in a frantic blur of e-mail and social media, not even realizing there’s a better way.
In DEEP WORK, author and professor Cal Newport flips the narrative on impact in a connected age. Instead of arguing distraction is bad, he instead celebrates the power of its opposite. Dividing this book into two parts, he first makes the case that in almost any profession, cultivating a deep work ethic will produce massive benefits. He then presents a rigorous training regimen, presented as a series of four “rules,” for transforming your mind and habits to support this skill.” – CalNewport.com
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups – Daniel Coyle
It’s a New York Times Bestseller and gives great insight and examples of the impact of a culture where people feel safe and valued. Great read!
“Culture is not something you are, it’s something you do. The Culture Code puts the power in your hands. No matter the size of your group or your goal, this book can teach you the principles of cultural chemistry that transform individuals into teams that can accomplish amazing things together.”
“In The Culture Code, Daniel Coyle goes inside some of the world’s most successful organizations—including the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team Six, IDEO and the San Antonio Spurs—and reveals what makes them tick. He demystifies the culture-building process by identifying three key skills that generate cohesion and cooperation and explains how diverse groups learn to function with a single mind.” – danielcoyle.com
Cyndee Haydon ‘08