Deep Work

Explanation

Deep work (a term popularized by Cal Newport) is professional activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that pushes your cognitive abilities to their limit. It's the opposite of "shallow work" — email, meetings, small logistical tasks — which feels busy but produces little lasting value.

Example

Blocking a 90-minute window with notifications off to write the hardest section of a report is deep work; answering Slack messages in between small tasks all afternoon is not.