Deep Work
- “what is deep work”
- “deep work vs shallow work”
- “how to do deep work”
- “cal newport deep work”
:: COMPARE ::
Deep workvsShallow work
The short answer
They are one framework, but each half has its own definition: deep work is distraction-free concentration pushing your cognitive limits; shallow work is logistical, easy to replicate, and survives distraction. Newport's point is that deep work is scarce and therefore valuable. A day of pure deep work is not the goal, and is not possible.
Side by side
| Aspect | Deep work | Shallow work |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitively demanding | Yes | No |
| Easy to replicate | No | Yes |
| Feels productive | Sometimes | Always |
| Can be done distracted | No | Usually |
| Training needed | Substantial | Minimal |
| Replicable | Hardly | By anyone |
| Immediate feedback | No | Yes |
| Expands by default | No | Yes |
Which one you meant
Readers who land here meaning Deep Work rather than Shallow work are usually searching for phrases like “what is deep work”, “deep work vs shallow work”, “how to do deep work”.
Shallow Work
- “what is shallow work”
- “shallow work examples”
- “how to reduce shallow work”
- “is email shallow work”
Which came first
Deep work. 21 November 2012 — Newport's blog post 'Knowledge Workers are Bad at Working (and Here's What to Do About It…)' sets out the deep and shallow split.
- 21 November 2012Deep WorkNewport's blog post 'Knowledge Workers are Bad at Working (and Here's What to Do About It…)' sets out the deep and shallow split.
- 21 November 2012Shallow WorkCal Newport publishes the deep and shallow distinction, observing that a veteran knowledge worker will spend most of the day answering email.
Where the confusion comes from
“Shallow work feels bad, which is why we avoid it.”
The opposite. Shallow work FEELS PRODUCTIVE because it is easy, socially engaging and generates visible completions — which is precisely why it crowds out deep work rather than being pushed aside by it.
Read either one in full