Where the term comes from
From Cal Newport's 2016 book of the same name.
Why it matters
The distinction is useful for planning because the two types have different requirements. Shallow work survives interruption; deep work does not, and scheduling them identically guarantees the deep work loses.
The common mistake
Treating everything as deep work. Most jobs contain a substantial and legitimate amount of shallow work, and pretending otherwise produces guilt rather than focus.
What it looks like in practice
Reviewing a contract needs an uninterrupted hour. Approving expenses does not. Scheduling both into the same fragmented afternoon means the expenses get done and the contract gets moved to tomorrow, again.
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Frequently asked questions
What is deep work?
Deep work is professionally demanding activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration, as distinct from shallow work that survives interruption. The distinction matters for planning because scheduling both types identically guarantees the deep work loses.
What's the most common mistake with deep work?
Treating everything as deep work. Most jobs contain a substantial and legitimate amount of shallow work, and pretending otherwise produces guilt rather than focus.