blog: Deep Work

src/content/blog/2023-05-11-deep-work.md

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+title: Deep work is unnatural, real, and non-negotiable
+date: 2023-05-11T20:48:10.313Z
+slug: 2023-05-11-deep-work
+author: Thomas Wilson
+
+---
+By nature I am very opinionated, so I try hard to make my opinions changeable.  It's the least I can do for other people.
+
+There are a handful of beliefs that you shouldn't flex on.  One such belief is that the kinds of problems I like working with demand deep work.  
+
+I build software and (increasingly) teams that build software, I make clothes, I run/cycle.
+
+The quality of work that comes from uninterrupted, narrow, intense *thinking* needs to be treated as a particularly rare animal that you desperately want to live in the habitat of your life or your work.
+
+Unfortunately, deep work is not particularly natural, or urgent, or sturdy.  The overgrown vines of life will push it out – a full calendar, messages/emails, an early appointment overrunning by five minutes.
+
+The cue for deep work is rarely self-evident or pressing, though we long dream of the empty calendar block.
+
+This means that culture, the people around you (who are not you), need to recognise deep work as a real and non-negotiable kind of work.
+
+I am trying to be that kind of colleague, that person who's pushing others re-prioritise (at least a little) deep work.  I'm trying to pump up the Social Approval Dopamine, to counter the Replying To An Instant Message Dopamine that the deep work competes with. 
+
+Because the deep work is so hard to attract, and then to keep around - I think having to convince others of its existence and benefits would be too much.  It would be unwieldy, and twice the work.

src/routes/+page.svelte

@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@
   <section class="section thomaswilson-strapline">
     <h1 class="title">Thomas Wilson</h1>
     <p>
-      I'm a software engineer who loves the craft of leading teams, and building
+      I'm a software engineer who loves the messy craft of leading teams and
-      software that is reliable and human-friendly. I build good things with
+      building software. I like finding the tension between
-      good people for good companies.
+      <i>minimal</i> and <i>complete</i>. I build good things with good people
+      for good companies.
     </p>
   </section>
 
@@ -137,12 +138,16 @@
   }
 
   section p {
+    padding-top: 0;
     padding-bottom: var(--spacing-md);
+    font-size: 1.3rem;
+    color: var(--gray-700);
   }
 
-  .strapline p {
+  .thomaswilson-strapline > p {
     padding-top: 4px;
     padding-bottom: 1rem;
+    font-size: 1.65rem;
 
     color: var(--gray-700);
   }