Summer is the perfect time for extended reading. For some reason, we feel as if we have "permission" to read when we are on vacation or have a more relaxed schedule at work.

My summer reading list includes Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. It reminds me of Essentialism by Greg McEown. Deep Work is resonating with me on, no pun intended here, a deep level.

His point is this: to do work of significance, you must strip away the trivial tasks that our world loves. These are the shallow tasks that are probably not that important.

These shallow tasks can include filling your day with email, social media, gossip, cubicle chatter, unnecessary phone calls, and anything else that's taking you away from what's essential. Did I mention interruptions? In place of these, it's vital to carve out prolonged periods of focused work, "deep work", where you can be alone with your thoughts and have permission to do the most important tasks.

I'm going back to my reading... What about you? What are you reading this summer that is striking a chord with your life?