Choosing Depth in a World of Distraction

We live in an age where everything moves fast. Headlines are skimmed, opinions are instant, and attention is scattered across a hundred open tabs. It’s easy to get pulled into the rhythm of rapid consumption and quick takes. But for as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to a different pace. One that values depth over breadth and patience over performance.

Whether I was studying political philosophy at the University of Chicago, running hurdle drills in track practice, or trying to solve a complex data problem, I found that the best results, and the most meaningful lessons, always came from staying with something long enough to really understand it. That mindset, of staying grounded and going deep, has shaped the way I think, learn, and work.

The Influence of UChicago and NYU

At UChicago, depth is a given. It’s built into the culture. You don’t just read Plato or Hobbes or Durkheim, you unpack them, wrestle with them, and then look for how they connect to everything else you’re learning. The rigor was real, and it wasn’t about speed. It was about clarity.

I learned to sit with ambiguity, to examine the same sentence from multiple angles, and to ask better questions instead of rushing to answers. It wasn’t always easy, but it changed how I think. It made me realize that depth is not just about knowledge. It’s about attention, intention, and care.

At NYU, where I focused more on data and decision-making, I carried that mindset with me. While others moved fast through surface-level analysis, I tried to slow down and look closer. What story is the data hiding? What assumptions am I making? Going deep helped me avoid shortcuts that lead to confusion later.

Chess as a Training Ground

Long before college, I learned this lesson at a chessboard. Chess is all about depth. You can’t play well if you only think one move ahead. You have to go deeper, plan further, and anticipate patterns. But what I love most about chess is that it rewards patience. A flashy move might feel exciting, but it’s usually the quiet, strategic choices that lead to a win.

Chess taught me how to focus. How to slow my thoughts, trust the process, and stay mentally present. That same discipline helps me today, whether I’m tackling a complex project, collaborating with a team, or making personal decisions. Depth takes work, but it builds resilience. It trains your mind to think clearly under pressure.

Why Going Wide Can Feel Empty

There’s a real cost to constantly skimming the surface. When we move too quickly from one idea to the next, we lose context. We misunderstand. We react instead of respond. And worst of all, we never get the full picture.

I’ve noticed this in conversations where people cite headlines without reading the article, or share opinions without any lived experience behind them. The result is noise. Lots of it. And very little signal.

Depth, on the other hand, creates signal. It forces you to slow down and examine your beliefs, your methods, and your goals. It makes you accountable to the truth, not just the trend. That’s what makes it powerful, and rare.

The Benefits of Slow Thinking

When you spend time going deep, something shifts. You become more grounded. You start to notice things others miss. You make decisions with more confidence because they’re based on real understanding, not assumption.

In work, this has helped me build stronger models, better strategies, and more thoughtful collaborations. In life, it has helped me build stronger values. I know what matters to me because I’ve spent time thinking about it, not just reacting to what others say should matter.

There’s a concept I admire called “slow thinking,” which means taking your time to reason through complexity. It’s not about being indecisive. It’s about being deliberate. In a fast-paced environment, slow thinking is a superpower.

The Discipline It Takes

Going deep isn’t always fun. It’s slow, sometimes frustrating, and definitely not as glamorous as multitasking or jumping on trends. But I’ve found that the discipline of depth is what separates amateurs from professionals, and noise-makers from builders.

It’s a daily practice, choosing to reread, to revise, to ask the extra question, or to try again after you don’t get it right the first time. That kind of effort builds habits that last. It also builds trust, with yourself and with others who can count on you to really understand what you’re doing.

Depth as a Way of Life

For me, depth is not just an intellectual habit. It’s a way of living. It shows up in the way I commit to relationships, the way I train, and the way I make decisions. It’s not about being better than anyone else. It’s about being better aligned with the things I truly value.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from going deep, it’s this: meaning comes from effort. Whether you’re studying a subject, training for a race, or solving a problem, the process of digging in is where the real growth happens.

Choose Focus Over Frenzy

It’s easy to feel like we have to do everything, read everything, or be everywhere at once. But I believe the real strength comes from choosing a few things, and going all in.

In a world that often rewards quick reactions and shallow engagement, choosing depth is an act of purpose. It means showing up fully, learning deeply, and staying focused when everything else is pulling you to rush.

That’s a discipline I’ll keep practicing. Not because it’s trendy, but because it works. And because it helps me stay grounded in a world that’s always trying to speed up.