7 Deep Work Rules That Actually Work

The Ultimate Competitive Advantage: Mastering Productivity Through Deep Work

If there’s one thing that’s moved the needle in my entrepreneurial journey more than anything else—it’s deep work. Not newsletters. Not Facebook ads. Not even my business model. It’s the ability to focus and produce high-quality output without distraction. That, in my opinion, is the cornerstone of true productivity.

You can be the most talented, most educated person in the room. But if you can’t sit down, eliminate distractions, and actually produce—it doesn’t matter. You will not thrive.

Over nearly 15 years of building and scaling businesses, I’ve found that nothing beats mastering deep, focused work. Below are seven battle-tested strategies I use to protect my time, enhance my cognitive performance, and get more meaningful work done in less time.

1. Use a Focus Aid to Boost Productivity (Wisely)

Sometimes, you need a little extra firepower to lock in and get things done. For me, there are three primary tools I’ll reach for when I want to hit peak focus:

Caffeine: Tried and true. Whether it’s coffee, tea, or a pill, it sharpens your mind and gives you energy to start your deep work block.
Alpha GPC: A choline compound that enhances mental clarity and focus. Start with 300mg and see how you tolerate it.
Nicotine Gum: Yep—controversial. But in 2mg doses, sparingly used, it delivers a sharp cognitive boost. Be cautious, because it is addictive.

I’m not suggesting stacking all three. Pick what works, and use it with intention.

2. Block Time and Black Out Distractions to Increase Productivity

Put your deep work block on your calendar and guard it like your life depends on it.

Once that time hits:

Phone goes on airplane mode
Notifications off
Email and social media disabled

Multitasking kills productivity. When you’re deep into focused work, you gain momentum that others lose to distractions. That’s where the magic happens.

3. Create a Productivity Ritual That Signals It’s Go Time

Your brain loves ritual. It prepares you mentally.

For me, it’s finishing my coffee, putting on instrumental “brain music,” and opening my writing app. That tells my brain: “It’s time to work.”

Find your own trigger. Maybe it’s breathwork. Maybe it’s a short walk. Whatever it is, make it part of your deep work routine.

4. Set a Clear Target Before You Begin

This one’s huge.

Don’t just sit down with a vague idea of “working.” Decide exactly what you’re going to get done during your block.

For example:

Write 3 video scripts
Outline a podcast episode
Complete a proposal

Once you have your target, you’ll work more efficiently and avoid switching tasks.

5. Make It a Recurring Habit

Deep work shouldn’t be occasional.

Daily (ideal): 4 hours of uninterrupted focus
Weekly (solid): 1–2 deep sessions of 4–6 hours
Monthly (minimum): One focused block to make progress on a major goal

Consistency is key to long-term productivity.

6. Be Ruthlessly Organized

Know exactly where your work lives. Don’t bounce around Chrome tabs or dig through folders to find what you need. Have your notes, files, and tools ready.

When you remove the friction of figuring out where things are, your brain stays in flow—and you avoid the productivity-killing trap of task switching.

7. Sleep Like It Matters (Because It Does)

All the supplements, rituals, and focus hacks won’t work if you’re running on fumes.

Sleep is the foundation. Seven to nine hours, dark and cool room, no screens before bed. The better you sleep, the better your brain functions—and the more productive you’ll be.

Why Deep Work = Productivity

If you’re willing to go all-in on mastering deep work, it will separate you from nearly everyone else. In a world of distractions, the ability to focus has become a superpower.

This is especially true in business, where speed and execution matter. If you want to outpace the competition, you don’t necessarily need to be smarter—you just need to produce more. And productivity is about eliminating distraction and going deep on what matters most.

So if you’re serious about getting more done and living a bigger life, try harder, go deeper, and protect your most valuable resource: your focus.

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